Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (2024)

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Get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with this Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe. Delicious chicken and cheesy rice combine for the the best meal with tons of flavor. You are going to love this one pot meal.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (1)

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe:

This is one of our favorite meals to serve on busy weeknights. The pressure cooker makes it all so easy and dinner can be ready in no time at all. In fact, it is so easy that you only need 30 minutes to have a wonderful dinner sure to impress.

My kids go crazy over this dish and they love when I make it. Since it is so simple, I don’t mind making this meal frequently. It can be hard to find something we all enjoy and this meal was gobbled up by everyone.

Using the instant pot has been a game changer for my family. Even if my meal is frozen, I can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes by pressure cooking. You are going to love how simple this recipe is.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (2)

Instant Pot Frozen Chicken and Rice:

You can even make this chicken and rice with frozen chicken breast. I was glad when I discovered that it is possible to take frozen chicken from the freezer and have a complete meal. It is best to cook your frozen chicken for about 15 minutes first and then do a quick release.

Add in your rice and cook for 3 minutes. This frozen chicken and rice in instant pot is possible without much planning and your family will be happy. Plus it is so much better for you then going through the drive-thru.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (3)

Ingredients:

  • Chicken Breasts – You can use boneless chicken breast or thighs that are fresh or frozen
  • Olive Oil
  • Minced Garlic
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Onion or onion powder
  • Chicken Broth – We like using low sodium chicken broth or chicken stock. You can use a diluted cube in water
  • Cream of Chicken Soup – You can even use cream of mushroom soup.
  • White Rice – We usually use long grain white rice but you can also use long grain rice or brown rice
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese

How to make Instant Pot Chicken and Rice:

  • Step 1 – Turn the instant pot to the sauté setting. Add the olive oil, diced chicken, onions and salt and pepper to the pot.
  • Step 2 – Cook for 5-7 minutes stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and the chicken is browned slightly. Add in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes on the sauté setting in the instant pot.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (4)
  • Step 3 – Next add in the chicken broth and rice. Stir to combine all the ingredients together. Make sure that the rice is fully covered with the liquid (add more if needed). Then pour the cream of chicken soup on top but do not mix it in with the other ingredients.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (5)
  • Step 4 – Seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. After the cook time, let the instant pot naturally release the pressure release by not moving the valve on the lid.
  • Step 5 – Once the pressure has been fully release, stir in the shredded cheese and serve warm. Enjoy!

Substitutions and Additions:

  • Try cream of mushroom in the casserole.
  • Make homemade cream of chicken soup.
  • Substitute chicken thighs.
  • Add frozen vegetables to the rice mixture. We like the frozen peas and carrots blend for an easy one pot dish.
  • Add another ½ cups shredded cheese to the rice when finished cooking.

Can I Make Chicken and Rice in the Crock Pot?

Yes, you can make chicken and rice in the slow cooker. It is easy to dump everything in the slow cooker and it cooks in less than 4 hours. Simple recipe makes for an easy weeknight meal.

What to Serve with Chicken and Rice:

We love that this meal is great served as it is, but I do like to add a side to it.

  • Broccoli – Roast or steam so broccoli for an easy side dish.
  • Side Salad – Make a large salad for an easy side dish. Add in delicious vegetables for a healthy side with this hearty meal.
  • Bread – We also like to serve this will a side of homemade rolls or garlic bread. It is filling and a must according to my kids with most of our recipes.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (6)

How to Store Leftovers:

Place the leftover chicken and rice in an air tight container once it has cooled to room temperature. Place in the fridge and it will last about 3 to 4 days.

Can you Freeze?

Yes, you can freeze chicken and rice. In fact it is the best way to store your leftover is you want it to last longer. Place in a freezer safe container and place in the freezer.

If stored properly your chicken and rice will last up to 3 months.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (7)

Tips for Instant Pot Chicken and Rice:

  • Sauté Chicken – Before adding in the other ingredients make sure to sauté the chicken, garlic, onions in the olive oil. It only takes a few minutes but this is to ensure the chicken is cooked.
  • Adding in Rice – Pour the rice in the instant pot and the chicken broth. Make sure the broth is covering the rice. You may need to add more if needed.
  • Cream of Chicken Soup – When adding in the chicken soup, there is no need to combine with the other ingredients. It will combine as it cooks.
  • Natural Release – Allow the instant pot to naturally release after the cooking time is up.
  • Stir in cheese – After taking cooking, take off the lid and stir in the cheese.

Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe:

You only need 2 chicken breasts for this recipe so it is very frugal friendly. The rice and cheese really stretch the meat and make it easy to feed a big family. This is my go-to recipe when I only have a few chicken breast left.

I love meals that are easy on my grocery budget, taste amazing and only take a few minutes to prepare. Life is so busy and most of us are running from work and school to activities and more. Take out is so tempting on those crazy busy days.

Now, you can just toss everything in the instant pot in less than 15 minutes you can make this amazing recipe. Skip the drive-thru and make this delicious recipe.

Creamy and delicious chicken and rice is a staple weekly meal idea. We love that it is easy to make and mad with simple ingredients. The best budget friendly meal.

Print Chicken and Rice Instant Pot Recipe below:

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (8)

Review

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Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe

4.97 from 222 votes

Get dinner on the table fast with Chicken and Rice Instant Pot Recipe. Ready in only 30 minutes, Instant pot cheesy chicken and rice casserole is so simple.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 6

Cuisine American

Course Main Course

Calories 459

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Turn the instant pot to the sauté setting and add in the olive oil.

  • Add the chicken and onions and cook for 5-7 minutes stirring occasionally until the onions are softened and the chicken is browned slightly.

  • Then add in the minced garlic and cook on the sauté setting for 1-2 minutes.

  • Then stir in the chicken and rice. Make sure the rice is covered by the liquid (add more broth if needed).

  • Next pour the cream of chicken soup on top of the other ingredients but do not mix it in with the other ingredients.

  • Seal the instant pot (by moving the valve on the lid to the seal position). Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. After the cook time, let the pressure release from the instant pot naturally by not moving the valve on the lid.

  • Once all the pressure has been released from the instant pot. Remove the lid, stir in the shredded cheese. The heat from the meal will melt the cheese.

  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5-7 days.

You can mix in a bag of frozen mixed vegetables into this meal when you add in the rice. I have done this with frozen peas and carrots mixture before and it works great.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 459kcal, Carbohydrates 43g, Protein 22g, Fat 22g, Saturated Fat 10g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 68mg, Sodium 1276mg, Potassium 329mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 485IU, Vitamin C 6mg, Calcium 302mg, Iron 2mg

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Find more Instant Pot Chicken Recipes:

  • Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
  • Instant Pot Chicken and Stuffing Dinner
  • Instant Pot Chicken Fajita Soup
  • Instant Pot Mississippi Chicken Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (9)

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About the Author

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (18)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I rinse rice before cooking in Instant Pot? ›

Rinsing rice removes any dirt and excess starch that can make the rice sticky, and, I've found, makes the rice taste better. According to Instant Pot's manual, rinsing the rice also makes up for the small amount of moisture lost in evaporation during the cooking process.

Can you cook rice and meat at the same time in Instant Pot? ›

It all comes together in 1 pot (the instant pot!) and you won't believe how quick and easy this is. Traditionally, beef plov is made with white rice, but we used a brown rice which was perfect for the instant pot because it doesn't get mushy while the beef becomes melt-in-your mouth tender.

How to make chicken and rice taste better? ›

Cooking Liquid:Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water to cook your rice. This adds depth and savory flavor. Add Herbs and Spices:Mix in herbs like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves during cooking for added aroma and flavor. Experiment with spices like cumin, coriander, or turmeric for a more flavorful base.

Why is my Instant Pot chicken so tough? ›

Can you overcook chicken breast in an Instant Pot? Yes, you can! Pressure Cookers don't work the same as slow cookers, where longer cooking times equal more juicy and tender meat. Too much time in a pressure cooker will create dry tough meat.

What happens if you don't pre rinse rice? ›

If your priority is fluffy, light rice where the grains are individually defined, be sure to rinse your rice before steaming or boiling. If you want your rice to be starchier or stick together, you can skip that step.

Do Instapots cook rice well? ›

So long, rice cooker! This Instant Pot rice comes out perfectly every time. Fluffy and flavorful, it's delicious as a side dish, in grain bowls, and more.

Is it OK to cook raw chicken with rice? ›

Can You Cook Raw Chicken And Rice Together? Yes! Raw chicken and uncooked rice can be cooked together to make a perfect easy one pot meal. I prefer to at least sear the chicken in the pot first, because the browning adds so much flavor.

How much water for 2 cups of rice? ›

For tender grains of rice that easily separate, such as in a pilaf, use 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. You can also use another liquid like stock in this 2:1 ratio. For slightly chewier, fluffy white rice, use 1 1/2 cups of water for every cup of rice, or a 1.5:1 ratio.

How do you cook rice and meat at the same time? ›

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Stir rice into beef; cook and stir until rice is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add water and seasoning packet from rice; cover skillet.

What sauce to eat with chicken and rice? ›

Here are some popular sauces that you can use with chicken fried rice:
  • Soy Sauce:Traditional soy sauce is a classic choice for chicken fried rice. ...
  • Oyster Sauce:Oyster sauce has a rich, savory flavor with a touch of sweetness. ...
  • Sriracha:Sriracha sauce adds a spicy kick to chicken fried rice.
Sep 20, 2022

Why is my chicken and rice gummy? ›

Mushy or soggy rice is simply overcooked rice that has absorbed too much water. Water over-absorption causes the rice grains to split open, ruining the texture and creating a starchy, gummy result.

Why is my chicken and rice mushy? ›

Excess Water and Incorrect Water Ratio: Too much water during cooking often results in mushy rice. The water ratio is critical; too much water causes the rice grains to absorb more liquid than they can handle, leading to a breakdown in their structure.

Can you overcook chicken in a Instapot? ›

I wouldn't cook chicken longer than 20 minutes at high pressure, or it could start to dry out, but don't worry if you forget about it for a few minutes after the pressure cooking cycle is complete.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you slow cook it? ›

That is why tough meats become “fork tender” in the slow cooker. Chicken breasts have very little connective tissue; that means they can be cooked quickly because the long cooking time needed to soften connective tissue isn't necessary. They also have little fat, which means they can become dry if cooked too long.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Unlike chicken breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks actually become more tender the longer they cook. That's because of their makeup. Dark meat has an abundant amount of connective tissue, which dissolves into gelatin as the meat cooks, rendering it juicy and tender.

Does washing rice before cooking remove nutrients? ›

Rinsing rice before cooking has a minimal effect on the arsenic (As) content of the cooked grain, but washes enriched iron, folate, thiamin and niacin from polished and parboiled rice.

How long before cooking should you rinse rice? ›

No, there's no way that you could over-wash. You could soak it for too long, and it'll become too soft, but that takes a couple hours. As long as you're rinsing until the water is relatively clear or soaking until the water becomes relatively clear, it shouldn't be more than 5 to 10 minutes.

Should you rinse rice before cooking hot or cold water? ›

The best way to do it is to wash the rice under running water. You can do it with or without a strainer. Use only room temperature water or cold water because warm water will soften the rice resulting in it being soggy.

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