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Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

This Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe combines tender chicken breasts with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a creamy garlic sauce reminiscent of northern Italy's Tuscany region. Prepared entirely in the Instant Pot, this restaurant-quality dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. The rich, aromatic sauce clings beautifully to the chicken while keeping it juicy and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (600 g / 1.3 lbs)
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 120 ml (1/2 cup) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
• 240 ml (1 cup) chicken broth
• 120 ml (1/2 cup) heavy cream
• 30 g (1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
• 120 g (4 oz) fresh spinach
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the olive oil for 1 minute. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides. Sear the chicken for 3 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.

2. In the same pot, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.

3. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pot and stir well to combine with the garlic and oil for about 1 minute.

4. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze and release all browned bits. Return the seared chicken to the pot.

5. Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Allow for natural pressure release for 3 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.

6. Open the lid carefully and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Add the fresh spinach and stir until completely wilted, about 1-2 minutes.

7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired. Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.

Substitutions

• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version with slightly less richness
• Substitute fresh basil (2 tablespoons, added at the end) for Italian seasoning for a fresher flavor profile
• Replace spinach with fresh kale or arugula for different textures and tastes
• Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian adaptation

Tips

• Do not skip the searing step—it creates a flavorful golden crust and helps seal in the chicken's juices
• If your Instant Pot is smaller, you can halve the recipe or cut the chicken breasts in half to ensure they fit properly and cook evenly
• For extra flavor, reserve 2 tablespoons of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar and use it instead of some of the olive oil in step 1
• Serve with pasta tossed in the extra sauce for a complete meal that absorbs the Tuscan flavors

Tuscan cuisine is rooted in simplicity and quality ingredients, often featuring olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and herbs like rosemary and sage. This creamy variation reflects modern Italian cooking trends that blend traditional Tuscan flavors with rich dairy elements, particularly popular in restaurants throughout Tuscany's Val d'Orcia region.

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