Instant Pot Nduja Chicken and Courgette Stew
A rich, high-protein pressure cooker stew featuring tender chicken thighs, creamy chickpeas, and shredded courgette in a smoky nduja tomato broth. Batch-cooked into 6 satisfying portions perfect for weeknight meal prep.
Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
45 min
Makes
6 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Lu + Lila
Lu created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
45 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Basic kitchen utensils
Time saver
Store individual portions in airtight meal prep containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 11 steps complete
Next: Turn on the Instant Pot and select…
- 01
Turn on the Instant Pot and select…
Turn on the Instant Pot and select the Sauté function set to medium heat.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add the diced onion and minced garlic…
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
Look for: softened and translucent
Tap card to mark done - 03
Stir in the grated courgette and nduja…
Stir in the grated courgette and nduja paste, cooking for 4 to 5 minutes while stirring continuously until the courgette softens completely and melts into the fragrant nduja oil.
Look for: the courgette softens completely and melts into the fragrant nduja oil
Tap card to mark done - 04
Press Cancel to turn off the Sauté…
Press Cancel to turn off the Sauté setting.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Pour in a splash of the chicken…
Pour in a splash of the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the stainless steel pot thoroughly with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits and prevent a burn warning.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Add the remaining chicken broth
Add the remaining chicken broth, canned chopped tomatoes, drained chickpeas, and whole boneless skinless chicken thighs to the pot, pressing the chicken down gently so it is submerged in liquid.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Secure the Instant Pot lid
Secure the Instant Pot lid, turn the steam release valve to Sealing, and select Manual/Pressure Cook on High for 12 minutes.
Allow: 12 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 08
Allow the pressure to release naturally for…
Once the cooking cycle completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before carefully performing a quick release for any remaining steam.
Allow: 10 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 09
Remove the lid
Remove the lid, transfer the chicken thighs to a clean plate or cutting board, and shred them into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 10
Return the shredded chicken to the pot…
Return the shredded chicken to the pot and fold in the fresh spinach, stirring for 2 minutes until the leaves are completely wilted in the hot stew.
Look for: the leaves are completely wilted in the hot stew
Tap card to mark done - 11
Divide the stew evenly among 6 meal…
Divide the stew evenly among 6 meal prep containers, allowing them to cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating for up to 4 days.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
Made this recipe?
Leave a quick rating or a cooking tip for the next woman.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.
Free to download