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- 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) The main ingredients create the base of this dish. Olive oil adds flavor and helps cook the chicken. Chicken breasts bring protein and heartiness. Garlic gives a strong, tasty aroma. Italian seasoning adds warmth and spice, while red pepper flakes offer a kick, if you like heat. - 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup baby spinach The pasta is the star of the show. I prefer fettuccine for its texture. Penne works well too. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and color. Baby spinach brings freshness and nutrients. These veggies help balance the rich creaminess. - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and pepper to taste Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and velvety. Parmesan cheese adds depth and saltiness. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. These ingredients blend together to create a delicious sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. First, set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and let it heat. Cut 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. When the oil is hot, add the chicken. Season it with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes until it turns brown on all sides. Stir in 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until it smells amazing. Next, pour in 4 cups of chicken broth. Make sure to scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pot. This helps keep the flavor. Add 12 ounces of uncooked fettuccine or penne pasta and 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Close the lid tightly. Set the Instant Pot to Manual mode and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. When the time is up, carefully turn the valve to release the steam quickly. Once all the steam is gone, open the lid and stir in 1 cup of baby spinach and 1 cup of heavy cream. The spinach will wilt nicely in the hot pasta. Add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick for your liking, just add a bit more chicken broth. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Your dish is now ready to serve! To keep your chicken juicy, avoid overcooking. Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook evenly. Season with salt and pepper before cooking. Use the Sauté mode to brown it well. This adds great flavor. Cook just until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. When choosing pasta, fettuccine or penne works best. These shapes hold sauce well. If you prefer another pasta, adjust your cooking time. Thin pasta like angel hair cooks faster, so reduce the time to 3 minutes. For thicker pasta, like rigatoni, you may need to add an extra minute. To make your sauce rich, add heavy cream at the end. This gives a wonderful texture. Stir it in after cooking. If you want more flavor, taste and add salt or pepper. For a twist, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice. This brightens the flavors. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it. {{image_2}} You can swap out the chicken for other meats. Shrimp works great for a seafood twist. Just cook shrimp for about 3-5 minutes. You can also try sausage. Slice it up and add it when you sauté the chicken. This gives a nice, rich flavor. If you want a meatless dish, use plant-based proteins. Try chickpeas or lentils for texture. Tofu is another great choice. You can sauté it just like the chicken. Make sure to season it well for flavor. Adding more veggies, like zucchini or bell peppers, can also boost the dish. To change up the taste, play with seasonings. Try adding lemon zest for brightness. Fresh herbs like thyme or oregano can add depth. You can also toss in different veggies. Mushrooms and artichokes can add a fun twist. Just remember to adjust the cooking time if you add more vegetables. To store leftovers, let the pasta cool first. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep it fresh for up to 3 days. Make sure to cover it well to prevent drying out. If you have extra sauce, store it separately. This way, you can add it back when reheating. To freeze the dish, make sure it is completely cool. Use a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Label the container with the date. The pasta can stay good for about 2-3 months in the freezer. Avoid freezing if you used heavy cream. The texture may change when thawed. When reheating, use low heat on the stove for best results. Add a splash of chicken broth or water. This helps to loosen the sauce. Stir often to prevent sticking. You can also use the microwave; cover the dish and heat in short intervals. Stir between each interval to ensure even heating. Enjoy your creamy pasta just like new! To cook pasta in the Instant Pot, follow this rule: cook for half the time listed on the package. For example, if the package says to cook pasta for 10 minutes, set your Instant Pot for 5 minutes. This method prevents soggy pasta. Always remember to keep the pressure release quick. This helps maintain the right texture. Yes, you can use frozen chicken in this recipe! Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. If your Instant Pot is set to Manual, cook the chicken for about 8-10 minutes instead of 5. Ensure you check that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. This way, you stay safe while enjoying a great meal. If you need a substitute for heavy cream, try using half-and-half or whole milk mixed with butter. You can also use coconut milk for a dairy-free option. Another good choice is Greek yogurt. Just mix it in at the end for creaminess. These options help keep your sauce rich and smooth without missing out on flavor. This blog post covered easy and delicious recipes using simple ingredients. We explored chicken breasts, pasta, and tasty veggies. The Instant Pot made cooking quick and easy, with tips to avoid dry chicken and perfect pasta. You can try different proteins or go vegetarian for variety. Don’t forget how to store leftovers or reheat them well. Now you have all you need to enjoy a yummy meal in no time. Get cooking and enjoy every bite!

Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Indulge in a deliciously creamy Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta that will delight your taste buds! This quick recipe blends tender chicken, fresh spinach, and tangy cherry tomatoes in a rich creamy sauce, all cooked in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Click through to explore the full recipe and make a meal that's both satisfying and easy to prepare!
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Ingredients
  

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

4 cups chicken broth

12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup baby spinach

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions
 

Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil to the pot and allow it to heat up.

    Add the chicken pieces to the pot and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until chicken is browned on all sides.

      Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

        Pour in the chicken broth, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pot to prevent burning. Add the uncooked pasta to the broth, followed by the cherry tomatoes.

          Close the lid of the Instant Pot securely and set it to Manual mode for 5 minutes on high pressure.

            Once the cooking time is up, perform a quick release by carefully turning the valve to release steam.

              After the steam has fully released, open the lid and stir in the baby spinach and heavy cream.

                Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is creamy and well-combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

                  If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more chicken broth to reach the desired consistency.

                    Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves on top.

                      Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 30 min | Servings: 4