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Instant Pot Chicken & Rice
35min
Total Time
6 people
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget
Cost
520 kcal
Calories
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice: Creamy One-Pot Weeknight Dinner for Busy Cooks — laughably easy.
Ingredients
6
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken thighs cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups long grain white rice rinsed
- 2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas thawed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice optional
Instructions
1
Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper
2
Set Instant Pot to SAUTE and heat oil
3
Brown chicken briefly in two batches
4
Remove chicken and saute onion until translucent
5
Add garlic, paprika, and thyme, stir one minute
6
Deglaze pot with chicken broth scraping bits
7
Stir in rice then nestle chicken on top
8
Seal lid and pressure cook on HIGH 8 minutes
9
Allow natural release for 10 minutes then quick release
10
Stir in butter and peas, fluff rice gently
11
Finish with lemon juice and parsley
12
Serve warm and enjoy
Pro Tips
Brown chicken for more flavor
Rinse rice well to remove starch
Let rest five minutes before serving
Troubleshooting
Too watery cook uncovered few minutes
Too thick add broth gradually
Rice undercooked increase natural release time
Recipe Variations
Add chopped bell pepper and cumin for Mexican
Use brown rice; adjust cook time accordingly
Stir in mushrooms for earthier flavor
Serving Suggestions
Serve with steamed green beans
Pair with simple salad
Garnish with extra parsley
Nutrition Facts
520
Calories
38g
Protein
57g
Carbs
14g
Fat
2g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
640mg
Sodium
110mg
Cholesterol
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not rinsing rice causes clumping
Overfilling pot prevents proper cooking
Adding peas too early makes them mushy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes reduce cook time by two minutes.
Can I use brown rice?
Yes use longer cook time and more liquid.
Is this gluten free?
Yes if chicken broth is gluten free.
Can I make it dairy free?
Yes omit butter or use dairy-free spread.
How do I prevent burnt notice?
Deglaze pot well and scrape all bits.
Reviews
Kim M
Apr 13, 2026
Quick and creamy, family loved it
Raj S
Apr 15, 2026
Perfect weeknight dinner, simple and tasty
Maria G
Apr 28, 2026
Great flavor, I added more lemon
Chen L
Apr 6, 2026
Rice cooked perfectly, chicken very tender
Ahmed H
Apr 20, 2026
Easy to double for guests
