Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Instant Pot Chicken and Rice recipe that combines tender chicken thighs, long-grain rice, and vegetables in a savory broth, seasoned with herbs and spices, perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
Grains and Liquids
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Seasonings and Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in the Instant Pot on the sauté setting, then add the chicken thighs or breasts and cook until lightly browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Deglaze the Pot: Pour in a portion of the chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Add the rinsed rice and season with paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, stirring well to combine.
- Add Remaining Broth and Chicken: Pour the remaining chicken broth over the rice mixture and return the browned chicken pieces to the pot, ensuring they are partially submerged in the liquid.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
- Add Vegetables and Warm: Stir in the diced carrots and frozen peas, then cover the pot and let it sit on the Keep Warm mode for an additional 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Finish and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in the optional grated Parmesan cheese for creaminess, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use chicken thighs as they remain tender and juicy during cooking.
- Rinsing the rice before cooking helps prevent it from becoming too sticky.
- Adjust salt according to the sodium content of your broth and personal taste.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan alternative.
- You can swap frozen peas for other frozen vegetables like corn or green beans based on preference.
- Make sure to naturally release pressure to ensure the chicken and rice finish cooking evenly and stay tender.