6 Minute Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Pressure Cooker Magic!)
Looking for a quick, comforting dinner that tastes like it came straight from an Italian restaurant? This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta comes together in just 6 minutes of pressure cooking! Juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and tender pasta get wrapped in a rich, cheesy cream sauce that will have your family asking for seconds.
This is one of my most requested recipes of the year—and once you try it, you’ll see why. It’s a weeknight dinner hero: quick to prep, easy to cook, and full of flavor. Best part? The Instant Pot (or any electric pressure cooker) does all the work for you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
-
⏱️ Fast: Dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, with only 6 minutes of cook time.
-
🍝 Family-Friendly: Creamy, cheesy pasta that even picky eaters will devour.
-
🥬 Flavor-Packed: Sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and Italian herbs bring restaurant-quality taste.
-
🍳 One-Pot Meal: Minimal cleanup—everything cooks right in your pressure cooker.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra flavor)
-
Penne pasta (or any short pasta you have on hand)
-
Sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
-
Fresh spinach, roughly chopped
-
Garlic, minced
-
Cream Cheese
-
Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best!)
-
Chicken broth
-
Olive oil or the oil from your sun-dried tomato jar
-
Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Sauté the chicken
Set your pressure cooker to sauté mode. Add olive oil, chicken, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the chicken is lightly browned.
Step 2: Add the pasta & liquid
Pour in the chicken broth, then add your pasta. Make sure the pasta is just submerged in liquid (but don’t stir too much).
Step 3: Pressure cook
Lock the lid, set your cooker to high pressure for 6 minutes, and let the magic happen!
Step 4: Stir in the creamy goodness
When the timer beeps, do a quick release. Stir in the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach until the sauce turns silky and the spinach wilts.
Step 5: Serve & enjoy
Spoon into bowls and top with extra Parmesan if desired. Get ready for the “wow” at the dinner table.
Tips & Variations
-
Protein Swap: Try shrimp or Italian sausage instead of chicken.
-
Veggie Boost: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers.
-
Cheese Lovers: Stir in mozzarella for extra richness.
-
Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
Storing & Reheating
-
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
-
Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce.
Print your Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe here:
Creamy Tuscan Chicken & Pasta – Pressure Cooker
Ingredients:- 32 oz chicken broth
- 1/2 cup oil packed sun dried tomatoes with herbs
- drained and chopped
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 12 oz uncooked shell shaped pasta or similar
- 5 oz fresh or frozen spinach
- 8 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes and softened
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup basil for garnish
- Build your base: In the pot of your pressure cooker, whisk together the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and garlic.
- Add chicken & pasta: Stir in the chicken pieces and pasta, gently pressing them down so they’re submerged in the liquid. If your pasta is above the broth, add ¼-½ cup more broth or water.
- Seal & cooK: Lock the lid in place, ensure the steam valve is set to “Sealing,” and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Release & open: When the timer beeps, hit cancel and carefully switch the valve to “Venting” for a quick release. Once the hissing stops, remove the lid.
- Stir in the creamy stuff: Immediately stir the pasta to prevent sticking, then add cream cheese cubes, and Parmesan. Mix until the cheeses are melted. Stir in the spinach.
- Thicken & rest: The mixture may look soupy at first—no worries! Let it sit for 5–10 minutes. It will thicken up as it cools.
- Finish & serve: Fold in the fresh basil and taste, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. Spoon into bowls and, if you like, sprinkle on extra Parmesan or a few diced sun‑dried tomatoes.
Final Thoughts
This Tuscan chicken pasta recipe proves that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to make a meal that feels special. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a creamy, dreamy pasta dish bursting with flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, cozy family dinners, or when you just want to treat yourself.
***Links to my favorite things**** 🧤Oven gloves I use (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3PesyCv 🧤FoodSaver FM5000 (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3IdKyNr 👕 My MERCH is here: http://tee.pub/lic/zCPUJ9t3EZk 🥣 Visit my website at http://www.AdventuresinEverydayCooking.com 💞My Patreon https://www.patreon.com/adventuresineverydaycooking 🔪My Pampered Chef website https://www.PamperedChef.com/pws/AECHeather/ 🖥️Find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AdventuresinEverydayCooking 🐤Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AECHeather 📸Follow me on Instagram at @AdventuresinEverydayCooking