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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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.
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!
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.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Dinner
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:
- Place chicken, rice, broth, and spices in Instant Pot. Stir gently.
- Seal Instant Pot and set manual mode for 25 minutes.
- Chop broccoli into small florets, and then revel in the fact that you’ve just prepped dinner in about five minutes. Wahoo!
- Once time is up, quick release and add broccoli and 1 cup of cheese to the pot. Stir together.
- 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.
- Serve and enjoy!
Quicker version (white rice) instructions:
- Place chicken, rice, broth, and spices in Instant Pot. Stir gently.
- Seal Instant Pot and set manual mode for 8 minutes.
- Chop broccoli into small florets, and then revel in the fact that you’ve just prepped dinner in about five minutes. Wahoo!
- Once time is up, quick release and add broccoli and 1 cup of cheese to the pot. Stir together.
- 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.
- 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
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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
Hi. Planning on making this tonight, I did not see the note for the broccoli. Do I use frozen broccoli or raw….? Thank you
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!