Instant Pot Chicken with Spinach Pesto, Cherry Tomatoes and Orzo

Name: Instant Pot Chicken with Spinach Pesto, Cherry Tomatoes and Orzo
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 38 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: fusión mediterránea
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 cup dry orzo; 9 oz cherry tomatoes; 3 cups fresh spinach; 1 cup fresh basil; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup sliced almonds; 4 cloves garlic; 1 cup yellow onion; 2 cups chicken broth; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

An original Instant Pot recipe featuring juicy chicken thighs pressure-cooked with orzo, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade spinach-basil pesto. The result is a complete, aromatic, and comforting meal, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

20 minPrep

18 minCook

38 minTotal

4Servings

High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en trozos large)
180 g dry orzo
250 g cherry tomatoes (whole)
90 g fresh spinach (divided)
20 g fresh basil (leaves sueltas)
40 g grated Parmesan cheese
30 g sliced almonds (lightly tostadas)
12 g garlic (3 cloves chopped and 1 for the pesto)
150 g yellow onion (finely chopped)
480 ml chicken broth (low sodium if preferred)
45 ml olive oil (divided)
15 ml lemon juice
2 g lemon zest
6 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper
1 g red pepper flakes (optional)

Nutrition facts

per serving

575 kcal

Calories

38 g

Protein

32 g

Carbs

33 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

28 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

GlutenDairyTree Nuts

Instructions

1
1. In a blender or food processor, make the pesto by combining 60 g (2 cups) fresh spinach, the basil, Parmesan, almonds, 1 garlic clove, 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Blend until thick and set aside.
2
2. Season the chicken thighs with the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
3
3. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté on high. Once hot, add 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, the onion, and the 3 chopped garlic cloves. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
4
4. Add the chicken and lightly brown it for 3 minutes, stirring so it colors on several sides. It does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
5
5. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook 1 minute more, stirring gently.
6
6. Add the dry orzo and chicken broth. Mix well and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits and help prevent the burn warning.
7
7. Cancel Sauté, lock the lid, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. High-pressure cooking in an Instant Pot is approximately 239°F/115°C inside the cooking chamber.
8
8. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick-release the remaining pressure.
9
9. Open the pot and add the remaining 30 g (1 cup) fresh spinach and the reserved pesto. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce evenly coats the chicken and orzo.
10
10. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve hot, making sure each portion includes chicken, cherry tomatoes, orzo, and spinach pesto sauce.

Chef tips

For a looser texture, let the dish rest for 2 minutes after stirring in the pesto before serving. If you want a more toasted finish, top each plate with extra almonds toasted separately in a skillet over medium heat.

Substitutions

You can substitute the almonds with sunflower seeds if you want to avoid tree nuts, though the allergen profile will change. Parmesan can be replaced with a similar aged vegetarian hard cheese. Orzo can be swapped for ditalini, adjusting the liquid slightly if needed.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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