Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken: Quick & Creamy Meal
Make creamy, juicy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken in under 30 mins! This family-friendly recipe features garlic, sundried tomatoes & spinach. Get the easy steps!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper or to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp cornstarch optional, for thickening
- 1 tbsp cold water for slurry, if using cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut chicken breasts or thighs into 1-inch pieces. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Sauté Aromatics: Set Instant Pot to SAUTE mode. Add olive oil. Once hot, add diced onion (if using) and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown Chicken: Add chicken pieces to the Instant Pot and brown for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. It doesn't need to be fully cooked through.
- Deglaze & Add Ingredients: Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze, ensuring no bits are stuck. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Pressure Cook: Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to Sealing. Select MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK and set time for 7 minutes on HIGH pressure.
- Release Pressure: Once cooking is complete, do a Quick Release (QR) by carefully turning the valve to Venting. Once the pin drops, open the lid.
- Finish Dish: Stir in the heavy cream and fresh spinach. Cook on SAUTE (or CANCEL and use residual heat) until spinach wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
- Thicken & Serve (Optional): If a thicker sauce is desired, in a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the pot and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread.
Notes
For an even richer flavor, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts. If you don't have fresh spinach, frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) can be used. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed.
