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Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe Easy 5-Step Homemade Dinner

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A quick and easy Instant Pot chicken and rice recipe that delivers tender chicken and fluffy rice in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1.5 cups long grain white rice
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients (5 minutes): Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and thyme.
  2. Sauté Aromatics and Chicken (8 minutes): Turn the Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and heat olive oil. Add onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes. Push to the side and add the chicken thighs in a single layer. Brown each side for 2-3 minutes until golden.
  3. Add Rice and Broth (2 minutes): Pour in the rice, spreading it evenly over the chicken. Slowly add the chicken broth, making sure to deglaze the bottom by scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Pressure Cook (10 minutes): Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” on high pressure for 10 minutes. Ensure the valve is set to sealing.
  5. Natural Release & Finish (10 minutes): Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully switch to quick release. Open the lid, fluff rice gently with a fork, and stir in frozen peas if using. Let sit for a couple of minutes to warm the peas through. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure proper browning. Deglaze the pot well after sautéing to prevent burn errors. Spread rice evenly over chicken for uniform cooking. Use natural pressure release to keep chicken tender. Fluff rice gently with a fork to avoid mushiness. Adjust seasoning after cooking. For chicken breasts, reduce pressure cooking time by 2 minutes and use natural release.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, chicken and rice, easy dinner, one-pot meal, pressure cooker recipe, quick chicken recipe, family dinner

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/instant-pot-chicken-and-rice-recipe-easy-5-step-homemade-dinner/