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Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice – The Perfect Weeknight Dinner

Delicious Instant Pot chicken and rice dinner ready to serve

Looking for the ultimate comfort food dinner that comes together in minutes? This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is your answer! Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot wonder delivers tender, juicy chicken and perfectly fluffy rice with minimal cleanup. Whether you’re new to pressure cooking or a seasoned pro, this family-friendly meal will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation.

The magic of cooking chicken and rice together in the Instant Pot creates incredible flavor infusion while keeping the chicken moist and rice perfectly cooked. Say goodbye to dried-out chicken and undercooked rice – this method ensures both are cooked to perfection simultaneously!

Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1.5 cups long-grain white rice
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Rinse the rice under cold water until water runs clear to remove excess starch.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode. Add olive oil and heat for 1 minute. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Brown Chicken

Push aromatics to the side and add chicken pieces. Brown for 2-3 minutes per side. This step adds flavor but isn’t necessary to cook through completely.

Step 4: Add Rice and Liquid

Spread rinsed rice evenly over the chicken. Pour in chicken broth and add dried thyme. Do not stir – just make sure all rice is submerged in liquid.

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Close lid, set valve to sealing position. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.

Step 6: Fluff and Serve

Open lid carefully. Remove chicken pieces and shred or slice as desired. Fluff rice with a fork. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Expert Tips

Don’t Skip the Rice Rinse: Rinsing rice removes excess starch, preventing it from becoming gummy in the pressure cooker.

Chicken Placement Matters: Place chicken on bottom, rice on top to prevent rice from burning on the heating element.

Natural Release is Key: The 10-minute natural release allows rice to finish cooking and absorb remaining liquid.

Meal Prep Friendly: This dish stores beautifully for 3-4 days in the refrigerator and reheats well.

FAQ

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but increase cooking time to 22 minutes on High Pressure with natural release.

Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! Add diced carrots, peas, or broccoli florets with the rice. Frozen vegetables work great too.

My rice is too wet/mushy – what happened?
You may have used too much liquid or not allowed proper natural release time. Reduce liquid by 1/4 cup next time.

Can I double this recipe?
Yes, but don’t exceed the maximum fill line in your Instant Pot. Use a 6-quart or larger pot for doubling.