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Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner

October 1, 2019 by Meg 2 Comments

This hearty Instant Pot chicken and rice has become a staple in our house on busy weeknights when I need a no-fuss dinner that can keep up with the appetites of three growing boys. It’s a simple, one-pot meal that everyone loves!

This hearty Instant Pot chicken and rice has become a staple in our house on busy weeknights when I need a no-fuss dinner that can keep up with the appetites of three growing boys. It's a simple, one-pot meal that everyone loves!

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

I love to cook. But I HATE the stress of trying to get a healthy meal on the table in between school, sports practices, homework, and other errands. I’ve finally admitted to myself that this is NOT the right season of life for me to be making elaborate meals on a regular basis. Instead, I’ve made it my quest recently to compile a list of healthy, homemade meals that take minimal effort. 

This hearty Instant Pot chicken and rice has become a staple in our house on busy weeknights when I need a no-fuss dinner that can keep up with the appetites of three growing boys. It's a simple, one-pot meal that everyone loves!How the Instant Pot changed my life…or at least my dinnertime

Utilizing my Instant Pot has been a game changer in this area. My husband is even starting to notice. Last week, he said to me, “You’ve really gotten into this Instant Pot thing! I’m pretty sure you use it WAY more than most people.” Which is probably true. And I’m proud of that, because I used to be afraid of it.

Related: How I overcame my fear of the Instant Pot: 5 must-know tips to get you cooking like a pro

These days I use my Instant Pot multiple times a week–for pasta, rice, chicken, soup, and lots of one-pot meals!

I love that I can set it and forget it, and that I can leave the house with it cooking. I can go pick up a kid from practice or from a friend’s house while dinner cooks without worrying that I’m going to burn down my house!

This hearty Instant Pot chicken and rice has become a staple in our house on busy weeknights when I need a no-fuss dinner that can keep up with the appetites of three growing boys. It's a simple, one-pot meal that everyone loves!My new favorite Instant Pot meal

This Instant Pot chicken and rice dinner is one of my favorite simple, busy weeknight meals. It’s based on a skillet meal from The Girl Who Ate Everything, but I’ve adapted it to use my favorite appliance (the Instant Pot), taking her one-pot meal to the next level of easy-peasy! I’ve been making it for over a year now, tweaking the recipe over and over until I’ve finally got it just right.

If you’re like me, dishes are the enemy, and you’ll do just about anything to avoid dirtying another pot or bowl. That’s why EVERYTHING in this recipe cooks in the Instant Pot–chicken, rice, broccoli, cheese–ALL of it! Hallelujah!

I’ve also included two versions of the recipe so you can choose based on your preference. The original recipe uses white rice, and that’s still the fastest way to get this meal on the table. It’s a true 30 minute meal.

However, a few months ago I finally learned how to cook brown rice in my Instant Pot (spoiler: it’s not rocket science, and I have no idea why I never did it before), so I’ve started making this meal with brown rice most of the time. It’s a little healthier and heartier with the brown rice, which I love. You have to plan ahead a little more because the brown rice takes longer to cook, but the hands-on prep time is the same. 

Either way you go (directions for both are included below), you’ll get a delicious mountain of cheesy goodness that is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.

Add it to your menu this week…you won’t be disappointed.

This hearty Instant Pot chicken and rice has become a staple in our house on busy weeknights when I need a no-fuss dinner that can keep up with the appetites of three growing boys. It's a simple, one-pot meal that everyone loves!

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

This hearty Instant Pot chicken and rice has become a staple in our house on busy weeknights when I need a no-fuss dinner that everyone loves!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast, chopped
  • 2 cups rice (*see below for different directions for white or brown rice)
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2-3 cups broccoli (*see note)
  • 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

Healthier version (brown rice) instructions:

  1. Place chicken, rice, broth, and spices in Instant Pot. Stir gently.
  2. Seal Instant Pot and set manual mode for 25 minutes.
  3. Chop broccoli into small florets, and then revel in the fact that you’ve just prepped dinner in about five minutes. Wahoo!
  4. Once time is up, quick release and add broccoli and 1 cup of cheese to the pot. Stir together. 
  5. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and replace lid. Turn off Instant Pot and allow broccoli to steam for 5 minutes. Remove lid and check that broccoli is tender and cheese is melted.
  6. Serve and enjoy!

Quicker version (white rice) instructions:

  1. Place chicken, rice, broth, and spices in Instant Pot. Stir gently.
  2. Seal Instant Pot and set manual mode for 8 minutes.
  3. Chop broccoli into small florets, and then revel in the fact that you’ve just prepped dinner in about five minutes. Wahoo!
  4. Once time is up, quick release and add broccoli and 1 cup of cheese to the pot. Stir together. 
  5. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and replace lid. Turn off Instant Pot and allow broccoli to steam for 5 minutes. Remove lid and check that broccoli is tender and cheese is melted.
  6. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

You can use fresh or frozen broccoli for this recipe. And don't limit yourself to just broccoli either! Green beans are delicious in this meal, too. Use whatever you have! Just make sure that whatever veggies you add are quick cooking (for example, NOT carrots)...or cook your veggies separately and then stir them in at the end.

Source: Adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything. Altered the cooking method to make it super easy in the Instant Pot, used brown rice instead of white, and altered various other ingredients.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Spring Chef Magnetic Measuring Spoons
    Spring Chef Magnetic Measuring Spoons
  • Instant Pot Sealing Ring Clear
    Instant Pot Sealing Ring Clear
  • Instant Pot 7-in-1  Pressure Cooker
    Instant Pot 7-in-1  Pressure Cooker
Cuisine: Dinner

Want more quick dinners? Try these:

  • Easy taco soup (Instant Pot + slow cooker directions)
  • Delicious make-ahead chicken marinades (my most popular post!)
  • BBQ Sloppy Joes in 30-minutes or less
  • Simple meal planning for busy moms + our family’s favorite go-to recipes
This hearty Instant Pot chicken and rice has become a staple in our house on busy weeknights when I need a no-fuss dinner that can keep up with the appetites of three growing boys. It's a simple, one-pot meal that everyone loves!

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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Chicken, dinner recipes, easy meals, Healthy Food, Instant Pot, Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elena Catanese

    September 22, 2020 at 10:55 am

    Hi. Planning on making this tonight, I did not see the note for the broccoli. Do I use frozen broccoli or raw….? Thank you

    Reply
    • Meg

      September 24, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      Hi Elena, thanks for the question! I’ve updated the notes now to explain. You can use fresh or frozen (although I always use fresh). You can also use other veggies if you want–use what you have on hand! I hope that helps!

      Reply

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