Instant Pot Chicken and Rice How To Guide

Did you know that 67% of home cooks report that pressure cooking reduces their meal preparation time by more than half? The Instant Pot has revolutionized home cooking, transforming what used to be time-consuming dishes into quick, weeknight-friendly meals.

Chicken and rice a classic comfort food combination becomes extraordinarily simple when prepared in an Instant Pot, requiring minimal hands on time while delivering maximum flavor.

Whether you’re a busy parent, a meal-prepping enthusiast, or simply looking to expand your Instant Pot recipe collection, this comprehensive guide will walk you through creating the perfect chicken and rice dish with this versatile kitchen tool.

Looking for more quick and easy ideas? Check out our full collection of 30-Minute Meals for Busy Weeknights.

Ingredients Needed For Instant Pot

For this foolproof Instant Pot chicken and rice recipe, you’ll need:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, though thighs remain juicier)
• 2 cups long-grain white rice, thoroughly rinsed
• 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth (vegetable broth works as a substitute)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color works—red adds sweetness, green adds earthiness)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

Substitution Options: Brown rice can replace white rice (add 15 minutes to cooking time); chicken breasts can replace thighs (reduce pressure cooking time by 2 minutes); and vegetable broth works for a milder flavor profile.

Timing

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes (including chopping vegetables and measuring ingredients)
• Pressure Building Time: 10 minutes (the time your Instant Pot takes to reach cooking pressure)
• Cooking Time: 8 minutes (active pressure cooking)
• Natural Release Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 43 minutes (approximately 30% faster than traditional stovetop methods)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepping for Success

Trim any excess fat from your chicken thighs and cut into 1-inch pieces. This uniform sizing ensures even cooking and perfect tenderness. Meanwhile, rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear—this removes excess starch and prevents the dreaded “burn” notice on your Instant Pot while yielding fluffier rice.

For model-specific tips, visit the Instant Pot.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics in the Instant Pot

Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and add olive oil. Once the display reads “Hot,” add diced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. The sautéing step builds essential flavor foundations—don’t skip it! If you prefer a more robust flavor profile, consider extending the sauté time by 1-2 minutes for slight caramelization.

Step 3: Add Vegetables and Spices

Add diced bell pepper and continue sautéing for 2 minutes. Stir in all the dried herbs and spices (oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper), coating the vegetables evenly. This step blooms the spices, releasing their essential oils and intensifying the flavor profile of your finished dish.

Step 4: Add Chicken to the Instant Pot

Add the chicken pieces, stirring to coat with the spice mixture. Sauté for just 2 minutes to seal the outside of the chicken, which locks in moisture and adds texture contrast to your finished dish.

Step 5: Add Rice and Broth

Add the rinsed rice to the pot, stirring gently to combine with the chicken and vegetable mixture. Pour in the chicken broth, then use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot this is called deglazing and prevents the “burn” message while incorporating all those flavorful bits into your broth.

Step 6: Pressure Cook

Press “Cancel” to stop the Sauté function. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Select “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual” on older models) and set to High Pressure for 8 minutes. Remember, the Instant Pot will take approximately 10 minutes to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins.

Step 7: Natural Pressure Release

Once the cooking cycle completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. This crucial resting period allows the rice to finish absorbing liquid and prevents it from becoming mushy. After 10 minutes, carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.

Step 8: Fluff and Serve

Open the lid away from your face (steam will be hot!). Gently fluff the chicken and rice with a fork, breaking up any clumps. Let it stand for 2-3 minutes, then garnish with fresh herbs before serving.

Nutritional Breakdown of Instant Pot Chicken

Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings):

• Calories: 385
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fat: 12g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Sodium: 320mg (varies based on broth used and salt added)

According to nutrition research, this balanced meal provides approximately 25% of your daily protein needs and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.

Nutritional values are approximate. For detailed breakdowns, visit NutritionData.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

• Lower Carb Option: Substitute cauliflower rice for half the white rice (add after pressure cooking and use “Sauté” function for 3-4 minutes to cook through)
• Reduced Sodium: Use no-sodium broth and increase aromatics like garlic, herbs, and lemon zest
• Higher Fiber: Use brown rice instead of white (increase cooking time to 23 minutes)
• Lower Fat: Use chicken breasts instead of thighs and reduce olive oil to 1 tablespoon
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace chicken with 2 cans of drained chickpeas or 1 pound of cubed extra-firm tofu

Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot

• Serve family-style directly from the Instant Pot for a rustic presentation
• Pair with a simple side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette for brightness
• Offer lemon wedges and hot sauce on the side for personalized flavor adjustments
• For a complete meal, add a side of quick-steamed broccoli or green beans
• Transform leftovers into stuffed bell peppers or burritos the next day

For even more comforting dishes, try exploring our Instant Pot Soup Recipes—perfect for cold evenings or batch cooking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Rinsing the Rice: This causes sticking and may trigger the “burn” notification. Always rinse rice until water runs clear.
2. Opening the Lid Too Soon: The 10-minute natural release is essential for perfect rice texture; rushing this step results in undercooked rice.
3. Overcrowding the Pot: Exceeding the maximum fill line of your Instant Pot compromises cooking consistency and safety.
4. Using Frozen Chicken: While the Instant Pot can cook frozen meat, this recipe requires sautéing first—thaw your chicken for best results.
5. Forgetting to Deglaze: Not scraping browned bits from the bottom after sautéing frequently triggers the burn warning.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

• Refrigeration: Store cooled leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors often improve overnight as they meld together.
  For official food safety practices, refer to the Chicken Storage Guidelines.
• Freezing: Portion cooled leftovers into freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Add 1-2 tablespoons of water or broth before microwaving to restore moisture. Alternatively, reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low heat.
• Meal Prep: This recipe is ideal for weekly meal preparation portion into individual containers for grab and-go lunches.

Why This Is the Best Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe

The Instant Pot transforms ordinary chicken and rice into an extraordinary, flavorful meal with minimal effort. By following this guide, you’ve learned not just a recipe, but techniques that transfer to countless other Instant Pot dishes.

The beauty of this method lies in its adaptability experiment with different vegetables, spices, and proteins while maintaining the same cooking principles. Your Instant Pot is truly a gateway to quick, nutritious, and delicious home cooking.

We’d love to hear about your results and any creative variations you discover. What will you add to make this chicken and rice recipe uniquely yours?

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