30-Minute Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken
Creamy Italian-inspired chicken dish featuring tender pressure-cooked breasts in a rich herb-infused sauce with fresh spinach and toasted pine nuts. The Instant Pot creates perfectly juicy chicken while building layers of flavor through sautéing aromatics and deglazing. Heavy cream creates a luxurious sauce that coats the wilted spinach beautifully. Pine nuts add a distinctive Mediterranean crunch and buttery richness that sets this version apart from typical creamy chicken dishes. Perfect for weeknight dinners when you want restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 piece onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper
- 2
Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil
- 3
Brown chicken breasts on both sides, then remove and set aside
- 4
Add onion, garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes to the pot and sauté until onions are soft
- 5
Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits
- 6
Return chicken breasts to the pot, close the lid and set to high pressure for 8 minutes
- 7
Quick release pressure and remove chicken from the pot
- 8
Stir in heavy cream and spinach until spinach wilts
- 9
Serve chicken over spinach mixture, topped with pine nuts
Tips
Toast pine nuts in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding for enhanced nutty flavor
Let chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking before slicing to retain juices
Use frozen spinach if fresh unavailable - thaw and squeeze out excess water first
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in airtight container
Season chicken up to 4 hours ahead, prep vegetables day before
Serve immediately over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread
Common Mistakes
Don't skip browning chicken to avoid bland flavor
Ensure complete pressure release before opening to avoid undercooking
Add spinach after pressure cooking to prevent overcooking
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, add 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.
What if I don't have pine nuts?
Substitute with chopped almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds for similar texture and crunch.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store in refrigerator up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months in airtight containers.