Name: Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil); 2 lbs (900 grams) chicken breasts (boneless and skinless); 1 tsp salt (divided); ¼ tsp ground black pepper; 5 cloves garlic (minced); ½ cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock); 1 tsp Italian seasoning; ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional); ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped); 1 cup heavy cream; ½ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated); 2 cups baby spinach leaves (or chopped spinach)

Jump to Recipe·5 from 10 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a delicious and fuss-free dinner that will wow your family, Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken is the answer to your dreams. This creamy, savory Italian-American classic comes together in less than 30 minutes, yet tastes like you spent the afternoon tending to a bubbling pot on the stove! Succulent chicken simmers in a garlic-kissed cream sauce with vibrant sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, all made in one pot. Whether you’re a weeknight cooking pro or a total beginner, you’ll want to add Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken to your regular recipe rotation.

Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of flavorful ingredients, this dish shines thanks to their quality and simplicity! Each one brings a key element—whether it’s color, zing, richness, or comfort—to make the final plate truly special.

Sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil): This deeply flavorful oil jumpstarts the recipe with a hint of sun-dried tomato essence right from the first sizzle.
Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless): Tender, juicy, and quick-cooking, these are the perfect blank canvas for all those Tuscan flavors.
Salt: Don’t skip the salt! It enhances every flavor, making the chicken and sauce taste their very best.
Ground black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and warm complexity to the creamy sauce.
Garlic (minced): Fragrant garlic is the aromatic backbone that transforms good into unforgettable.
Chicken stock (or vegetable stock): Deglazes the pot and creates a savory base for the sauce.
Italian seasoning: This classic blend brings a mix of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme for genuine Italian flair.
Chili flakes (optional): A pinch brings a little kick—totally up to you!
Sun-dried tomatoes (chopped): Their tangy, sweet, and chewy texture adds pops of color and bursts of intense tomato flavor.
Heavy cream: The secret to that luscious, restaurant-worthy sauce.
Parmesan cheese (freshly grated): Salty, nutty, and melty—that’s the magic touch.
Baby spinach leaves (or chopped spinach): Wilted in at the end for an earthy freshness and beautiful green color.

How to Make Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Set your Instant Pot to SAUTE mode and heat up that beautiful sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil). Melt the butter, then season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until they’re gorgeously golden-brown. This quick step adds so much flavor. Once browned, remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

Drop in your minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds, just until irresistibly fragrant. The smell alone is worth pausing for, and it lays down the aromatic foundation of your creamy sauce.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pot

Pour in the chicken stock, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. These little bits are culinary gold! They’ll enrich your sauce in a way nothing else can.

Step 4: Season the Broth

Now add your Italian seasoning, an extra pinch of salt and pepper, and a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like a gentle spice. Give everything a good stir so the flavors unite.

Step 5: Pressure Cook the Chicken

Return the chicken breasts to the pot. Secure the Instant Pot lid, set your valve to SEALING, and choose the PRESSURE COOK setting for 5 minutes. If you’re using bone-in chicken thighs, increase to 8 minutes. Once the timer beeps, carefully do a manual steam release.

Step 6: Make the Creamy Sauce

Remove the cooked chicken and set it aside for a moment. Switch your Instant Pot back to SAUTE and pour in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Stir until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and just starting to bubble dreamily.

Step 7: Add Sun-dried Tomatoes and Spinach

Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes are evenly incorporated and bursting with color.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Return the chicken to the pot, spoon plenty of that creamy sauce over each piece, and you’re ready to serve. Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken is perfect over pasta, rice, or even creamy mashed potatoes. Don’t be shy with the extra parmesan!

How to Serve Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

Garnishes

To make this dish even more beautiful, sprinkle extra freshly grated parmesan and a handful of chopped fresh parsley over the top. A light drizzle of olive oil, a grind of black pepper, or even some toasted pine nuts can take Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken straight to special-occasion status.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with almost anything. Creamy mashed potatoes, al dente pasta, fluffy rice, or crusty Italian bread are all fantastic choices to soak up that dreamy sauce. For a lighter touch, a crisp green salad with a lemony vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken family-style on a large platter, nestled on a bed of baby spinach or arugula. For an appetizer twist, spoon the chicken and sauce onto toasted baguette slices. Leftovers make an incredible filling for a creamy Tuscan chicken sandwich or stuffed pita.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors continue to meld, making leftovers just as irresistible as when freshly made.

Freezing

If you want to save portions for later, let the chicken and sauce cool to room temperature, then freeze in individual containers for up to two months. For best texture, avoid freezing if you used half-and-half instead of heavy cream—the sauce may separate a bit but will still taste great.

Reheating

Reheat Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken stock or cream if the sauce has thickened. It can also be microwaved in short bursts. Just be careful not to overheat, so the chicken stays juicy and the sauce silky.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Both boneless and bone-in chicken thighs work well in this recipe. Just remember, bone-in thighs need about 8 minutes on pressure cook, while boneless can be cooked for the same time as breasts.

Is there a lighter alternative to heavy cream?

You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream if you’d like a lighter sauce. Just be aware the sauce will have a thinner consistency, but it will still be flavorful and creamy.

Are there any vegetable add-ins that go well with this dish?

Definitely! Try adding sliced mushrooms to the pot right after the garlic and sauté them for extra savoriness. Chopped kale or artichoke hearts are also great choices for bumping up the veggie content.

Does Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken work for meal prep?

It’s a fantastic meal prep option! The sauce keeps the chicken moist and flavorful for several days, and you can easily portion it out with rice or pasta for grab-and-go lunches or dinners.

How spicy is this dish?

The chili flakes are totally optional, so you can easily control the heat level. Add a pinch for warmth, a bit more for noticeable spice, or skip them entirely if you prefer a milder dish.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably special about gathering around the table to share a meal that’s both simple and soul-satisfying, and Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken fits that bill perfectly. Give this recipe a try—you’ll love how effortlessly it brings big flavor and comfort to your weeknight cooking!