If you’re craving a cozy, restaurant-worthy meal with minimal effort, you’re in for a treat—Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken is as dreamy as its name sounds! Lush, garlicky cream sauce swirls around tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and melting Parmesan, all made magical by the speed and ease of your trusty Instant Pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy Comfort: The blend of cream cheese, half and half, and Parmesan cheese creates a truly decadent sauce that wraps every bite in pure coziness.
- Hands-Off Weeknight Wonder: Your Instant Pot handles all the heavy lifting, turning basic ingredients into Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken in a fraction of the time.
- Burst of Tuscan Flavors: Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Italian herbs add pops of sunshine, color, and a little vacation-for-your-taste-buds energy to each serving.
- Incredibly Versatile: Serve it over pasta, rice, veggie noodles, or even mashed potatoes—one recipe, endless possibilities!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe plays a starring role, delivering layers of flavor and a sauce that’s absolutely crave-worthy. Let’s peek at what you’ll need, and why these ingredients matter.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps the onion and garlic bloom with flavor on the sauté setting.
- Diced onion: The gentle sweetness of sautéed onion creates a savory depth in every bite.
- Minced garlic: Fresh garlic infuses that essential, aromatic kick Tuscan dishes are famous for.
- Chicken broth: The foundation of your sauce; choose a flavorful broth for the tastiest chicken.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Both options work! Thighs bring juicy richness, while breasts deliver lean, tender protein.
- Italian seasoning: A little sprinkle brings all the iconic Tuscan herbs right into your kitchen.
- Cream cheese (softened): The secret to ultra-creamy, velvety sauce—let it come to room temperature for easy melting.
- Half and half (warmed): Keeps the sauce silky and prevents curdling when mixing with cornstarch.
- Cornstarch: It’s the trick for thickening the dreamy sauce without flour, keeping things gluten free.
- Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded): Melts in for salty-nutty flavor and a little signature stretch.
- Sun-dried tomatoes (rinsed, drained, and chopped): Their concentrated, tangy flavor absolutely makes this dish pop.
- Coarsely chopped spinach: For earthy freshness and that beautiful burst of green.
- Salt and pepper: Season to taste—these basics are crucial for rounding out all the flavors.
Variations
This recipe is practically made for riffing! If you like to play in the kitchen, Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken is incredibly forgiving—just swap, skip, or add ingredients to suit your tastes, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand.
- Lightened-Up Version: Use low-fat cream cheese and milk instead of half and half for a lighter, but still creamy, sauce.
- Low-Carb/Keto Option: Swap half and half for heavy cream, skip the cornstarch, and serve over cauliflower rice for a carb-conscious plate.
- Mushroom Magic: Toss in sliced mushrooms when sautéing the onion—they add depth and a subtle earthy flavor.
- Extra Greens: Stir in baby kale or arugula along with the spinach for more color and flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you love a little heat!
How to Make Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and let it get nice and hot. Swirl in olive oil, then add the diced onion. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for just 20-30 seconds more—the moment you smell that garlicky goodness, you’re there! Don’t rush this stage: sautéing brings out sweet, savory notes that make all the difference.
Step 2: Deglaze and Layer Flavors
Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze your pot, scrapping up any flavorful brown bits from the bottom. Nestle in your chicken pieces and sprinkle over the Italian seasoning. The broth prevents anything from sticking—and lets the chicken soak up all those aromatic, herby flavors right from the start.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Chicken
Seal the lid and check the valve is set to ‘sealing’. Set the Instant Pot to Manual/Pressure Cook: 12 minutes for chicken breasts, 15 for thighs, adding 2 extra minutes if your chicken is frozen. Once the timer is up, let the pressure drop naturally for 5 minutes before quick-releasing the remaining steam. The chicken comes out astonishingly tender every time!
Step 4: Make That Creamy, Dreamy Sauce
Remove the chicken to a cutting board and crank the Instant Pot back to sauté. Stir softened cream cheese into the hot liquid until smooth and mostly melted. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with warmed half and half until lump-free, then pour into the pot. Stir as the sauce thickens to a luscious consistency, then add in the Parmesan cheese so it melts right in.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Shred or slice the chicken and stir it back into the sauce. Gently fold in the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, and let the greens wilt into the hot sauce for a gorgeous pop of color. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately over your favorite grain or veggie base for a weeknight dinner that tastes like a special occasion. That’s Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken magic!
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken
- Room Temperature Dairy: Softened cream cheese melts much more smoothly into the sauce—let it sit out while your chicken cooks.
- Don’t Skip The Deglaze: Scraping up all the browned onion and garlic bits after sautéing gives your sauce huge homemade flavor (and ensures you don’t get a burn notice!).
- Warm Your Half and Half: Mixing cornstarch into warm (not cold) half and half helps prevent clumps and keeps your sauce silky smooth.
- Add Spinach At The End: Add the spinach just before serving for that emerald green color—too early and it can get mushy.
How to Serve Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Garnishes
Give your Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken the finishing touch it deserves! Sprinkle each serving with a generous shower of freshly grated Parmesan, a handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley for color, or a crack of black pepper. Even a drizzle of good olive oil at the end adds a lovely Italian flair.
Side Dishes
This creamy main dish loves to be surrounded by simple sides. Pile it over fluffy rice, buttered noodles, or pillowy mashed potatoes for a cozy meal. Or, for a lighter spin, spoon it over steamed veggies, sautéed zucchini ribbons, or garlic-kissed cauliflower rice—perfect for soaking up every luscious drop of sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party wow-factor, serve Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken over toasted garlic bread or in big shallow bowls with a swirl of sauce and a little heap of greens on the side. You can even turn leftovers into an incredible sandwich or a baked pasta casserole—get creative and let the creamy Tuscan magic shine!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors deepen overnight, so tomorrow’s lunch might be even tastier! It will keep well for up to 3-4 days—making it a fantastic meal-prep option, too.
Freezing
This dish freezes surprisingly well, especially if you let it cool completely and store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container. The sauce may separate slightly after thawing, but a gentle reheat and some stirring will help bring everything back together. Enjoy within 2-3 months for the best flavor and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your Creamy Tuscan Chicken gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of half and half or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir occasionally, and heat just until everything is hot but not boiling to keep that creamy texture intact.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken in Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken?
Absolutely! Just add 2 minutes to the pressure cooking time if using frozen chicken breasts or thighs. There’s no need to thaw first—your Instant Pot will work its magic and the chicken will still be deliciously tender.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, with some swaps! Use a dairy-free cream cheese, non-dairy milk (like unsweetened cashew or oat milk), and skip the Parmesan or use a plant-based alternative. The flavor will be a little different but still totally comforting.
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Do I have to use sun-dried tomatoes?
If sun-dried tomatoes aren’t your thing, you can leave them out or substitute with a handful of cherry tomatoes or even roasted red peppers for a similar burst of color and tang.
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What type of pasta pairs best with Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken?
Fettuccine, penne, and rotini are favorites because their shape and texture catch all the creamy sauce and flavorful bits. But honestly, any kind of pasta (or even no pasta at all!) will be scrumptious here.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken yet, now’s your moment! It’s pure comfort, simple enough for busy nights, and fancy enough to impress anyone who joins you at the table. Go ahead—grab your ingredients and savor every creamy, Tuscan-inspired bite!
Print
Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Instant Pot
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A delicious and creamy Tuscan chicken recipe made quickly in the Instant Pot. Tender chicken cooked in a flavorful creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Sauce:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup half and half, warmed
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 (8 oz) jar sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed, drained, and chopped
- 3 oz coarsely chopped spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Saute: Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. Saute onion, then garlic. Deglaze with chicken broth.
- Add ingredients: Nestle chicken in the pot and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Pressure cook: Set to manual for 12 minutes for chicken breasts or 15 minutes for thighs. Natural pressure release for 5 minutes.
- Make the sauce: Remove chicken. Stir in cream cheese. Mix cornstarch with half and half, then add to pot. Stir in parmesan cheese.
- Final touches: Shred chicken and return to pot. Add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve over desired base.
Notes
- Gluten-free – check chicken broth label
- For low-carb option, use heavy cream instead of half and half, omit cornstarch, and consider leaving out tomatoes
- Pot-in-pot rice can be cooked simultaneously
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
