Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked rapidly in an Instant Pot with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this recipe balances indulgent flavors with ease of preparation, making it a versatile and comforting meal.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil), chopped
- 3 cups fresh spinach (or frozen, thawed and drained)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Dairy
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme mix)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and sear the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step locks in the juices and builds flavor. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Create the Base Sauce: In the same pot, add minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Sauté briefly for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the pot by scraping up any browned bits from the bottom to enrich the sauce.
- Pressure Cook the Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the pot with the broth mixture. Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook under high pressure for 8 minutes. Once done, carefully release the pressure according to your Instant Pot’s instructions and remove the chicken to a plate.
- Finish the Creamy Sauce: Stir in heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese into the pot; whisk until smooth and creamy. Add fresh spinach and gently cook until wilted, infusing the sauce with freshness and color.
- Combine and Serve: Return the chicken breasts to the creamy Tuscan sauce, spooning sauce over the top. Serve the dish over pasta, rice, or vegetables, garnished with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Thoroughly deglaze the pot after searing to avoid burn alerts.
- Use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream for the richest sauce.
- Do not skip pressure cooking time to ensure tender chicken.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving for added aroma.
- Adjust cooking time slightly if using frozen chicken breasts (add 2-3 minutes).
- For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut cream and dairy-free cheese alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Instant Pot, Tuscan chicken, creamy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, quick dinner, gluten free, one-pot meal