Instant Pot One-Pot Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Are you searching for that perfect dish that combines gourmet appeal with weeknight simplicity? Look no further than this incredible Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring succulent chicken enveloped in a luscious, creamy sauce, brightened by sun-dried tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and fresh baby spinach. What makes it truly exceptional? It’s a complete, wondrous one-pot meal, effortlessly crafted in your electric pressure cooker.

For those who appreciate a truly satisfying pasta dish, this recipe is a game-changer. We adore pasta, especially when it’s loaded with vibrant, flavorful ingredients. While a basic Instant Pot Mac and Cheese certainly has its comforting appeal, there are times when you crave something distinctly different, something that excites the palate. This Tuscan Chicken Pasta delivers on all fronts, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet experience. With tender chicken and nutrient-rich spinach all cooked together, it truly embodies the convenience and completeness of a one-pot meal.

Mastering the Instant Pot: The Art of “Mise en Place” for Perfect Pasta

Successful Instant Pot cooking often hinges on preparation. My number one tip, a practice known as “Mise en place” (a French culinary phrase meaning “putting in place” or “everything in its place”), is your secret weapon. Before you even turn on your Instant Pot, ensure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go. This means chopping your onions and bell peppers, peeling and mincing your garlic, measuring out all liquids, pasta, and spices. Having everything at your fingertips not only makes the cooking process more enjoyable but also crucial for recipes that involve the Sauté function, where timing and constant attention can be key.

Since this recipe utilizes the Sauté feature quite a bit, you won’t want to leave your pot unattended for long stretches. A well-organized workspace allows you to seamlessly transition from one step to the next, preventing any burning or overcooking. This disciplined approach minimizes stress and maximizes efficiency, especially for a multi-faceted dish like this creamy Tuscan pasta. The beauty of the Instant Pot lies in its ability to condense cooking time, but proper preparation ensures that every minute counts towards a flawless result.

Surprisingly Easy, Exceptionally Delicious: The Instant Pot Advantage

Despite its outstanding outcome, this recipe is surprisingly easy to execute, even for novice Instant Pot users. The entire process, including prep time, takes about an hour – a remarkably short duration for such a rich and complex-tasting meal. This makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you still want to serve something extraordinary, or for weekend gatherings when you want to minimize kitchen time and maximize enjoyment with your loved ones. The Instant Pot handles much of the heavy lifting, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully under pressure, resulting in tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta every single time. We sincerely hope you find as much joy in preparing and savoring this dish as we do!

Looking for an even simpler variation? We also have a “Dump and Start” version of this recipe. Check out our Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta for another quick and delicious option!

More Delightful Instant Pot Pasta Recipes to Explore:

• Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni
• Instant Pot Meatball Pasta Dinner
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Pasta E Fagioli
• Instant Pot Chili Mac

4.89 from 18 votes

Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta

By Sandy Clifton

Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta features tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce flavored with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and finished with fresh baby spinach – a complete meal in one pot!

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 45 mins

Servings: 8 – 10 servings

Print Recipe

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 or 3 Chicken Breasts, pounded to an even thickness (not too thin, just even)
• 2 Tbsps Olive Oil, divided in half
• 1 Tbsp Paprika, smoked or sweet
• 2 tsp Coarse Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper

For the Sauce

• 4 Tbsps Butter, divided in half
• 1 small Sweet Onion, diced
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced in 2″ strips
• 6 cloves Garlic, pressed or finely minced
• ⅓ cup White Wine (or chicken broth)
• 1 7oz jar Sun Dried Tomatoes, drained (reserve 2 Tbsps of the oil)
• 2 Tbsps Oil from Sun Dried Tomatoes
• 2 tsps Italian Seasoning
• ½ tsp Oregano, dried
• ¼ tsp Thyme, dried
• 1 tsp Kosher Salt
• ½ tsp Pepper
• 4 cups Chicken Broth, low sodium
• 1 cup Milk
• 12 oz Small Elbow Macaroni Pasta (3 1/2 cups dry)

To Finish

• ¼ cup All Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, grated or sliced, if fresh
• 5oz Fresh Baby Spinach
• 1 ½ cups Half and Half
• Fresh Basil Leaves, for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken

1. Rub the chicken with 1 Tbsp of the divided oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

Cook in Instant Pot

1. Turn on the Sauté function of the pot. When the display reads Hot, add 1 Tbsp of the olive oil.
2. Add the chicken breasts and cook them for about 4 minutes per side, until you achieve a good golden color on both sides. Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm.
3. Add 2 Tbsps of the butter and the diced onion to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes until softened, then add the bell pepper and the minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
4. Pour in the white wine (or 1/3 cup chicken broth) and stir, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot thoroughly to deglaze it. This loosens all the flavorful browned bits, which is essential for preventing a “Burn” notice.
5. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, their reserved oil, Italian seasoning, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine these aromatic ingredients.
6. Stir in the chicken broth and the milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then add the macaroni pasta. Stir briefly to ensure the pasta is submerged.
7. Carefully place the seared chicken breasts back into the pot, nestling them gently on top of the pasta.
8. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, locking it into place, and turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
9. Cancel the Sauté function.
10. Select Pressure Cook (or Manual) and set the cooking time to 4 minutes.
11. Once the cooking cycle is complete and the pot beeps, perform a controlled Quick Release of the pressure. Begin slowly, allowing a small amount of steam to escape before fully opening the valve, which helps minimize the risk of sauce spewing out. Once the float valve drops, carefully open the lid. Stir the contents of the pot, scraping any pasta that may have slightly stuck to the bottom to loosen it.
12. Remove the chicken breasts to a plate and cover them with foil or a lid to keep them warm and allow them to finish cooking gently.

Finish the Sauce and Serve

1. In a small bowl, mix together the flour and the remaining 2 Tbsps of softened butter until a smooth paste (roux) forms. Stir this mixture into the hot pasta sauce in the Instant Pot to thicken it slightly.
2. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted and incorporated. Then, add the grated or sliced fresh Mozzarella cheese, stirring again until smooth and creamy.
3. Stir in the fresh baby spinach until it wilts into the hot sauce, adding vibrant color and nutrients.
4. Finally, stir in the Half and Half to achieve that ultimate creamy consistency.
5. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
6. Check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should register 165 degrees (F). Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks and add it back to the pasta. Stir everything together gently.
7. Serve immediately, garnished generously with fresh torn basil leaves for a burst of aromatic freshness.

Notes

This is a saucy dish with a rich, creamy consistency, but it is not intended to be as thick as a traditional mac and cheese.

Adapted from CafeDelites, Tuscan Mac and Cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 465 kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: Italian

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