Description
This creamy and flavorful Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken is a comforting dish that combines tender chicken thighs with a rich, garlicky, and cheesy sauce. Packed with sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and fresh spinach, this recipe is quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot—perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (use both the tomatoes and the oil)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs (or skinless, boneless chicken breasts)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup chicken stock (preferably homemade)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half for a lighter version)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves (or chopped large-leaf spinach)
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken:
Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Add butter and let it melt. Once hot, season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear them in the Instant Pot for about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside. - Sauté the Garlic and Tomatoes:
In the same pot, add the sun-dried tomatoes (with oil) and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. - Deglaze the Pot:
Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pot, scraping any browned bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon. - Pressure Cook the Chicken:
Return the chicken thighs to the pot. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for 10 minutes (for bone-in thighs, adjust accordingly for boneless chicken). Once done, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. - Make the Sauce:
Open the lid and remove the chicken thighs. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes. Let the sauce simmer on “Sauté” for a couple of minutes until it thickens. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. - Combine and Serve:
Return the chicken thighs to the pot and spoon some sauce over the top. Serve hot with a side of rice, pasta, or bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use chicken breasts and substitute half and half for the heavy cream.
- Adjust the level of chili flakes depending on your spice tolerance.
- Leftover Tuscan chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (including pressure cooking)
- Category: Dinner, Chicken, Instant Pot
- Method: Instant Pot, Sauté
- Cuisine: Italian-American