Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Name: Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Total time: 35 min
Yield: Family
Ingredients: 600 g chicken thighs; 300 g long-grain rice; 500 ml chicken broth; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is the ultimate one-pot comfort dinner where juicy chicken and fluffy seasoned rice cook together in a single pot. The pressure cooker infuses every grain with savory chicken flavor while keeping the meat moist and tender. It is a forgiving, family-friendly meal that needs little more than a salad on the side.

High-Protein Instant Pot Dinner Family One-Pot Chicken

⏱ 35 min
📊 medium
🍽 Family

Ingredients

600 g chicken thighs
300 g long-grain rice
500 ml chicken broth
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic

Instructions

Set the Instant Pot to saute and warm a tablespoon of oil, then season chicken thighs or breasts with salt and pepper.
Sear the chicken pieces for two to three minutes per side until lightly golden, then remove them to a plate.
Add diced onion to the pot and cook two minutes, scraping up any browned bits with a splash of broth to deglaze and avoid a burn warning.

Add one and a half cups of rinsed long-grain rice and stir to coat it in the oil for thirty seconds.
Pour in two cups of chicken broth along with garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of thyme, then spread the rice into an even layer without stirring further.
Nestle the seared chicken on top of the rice, secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for ten minutes.
Let the pressure release naturally for ten minutes before venting any remaining steam, which keeps the rice fluffy and the chicken juicy.
Open the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork, slice or shred the chicken, and serve garnished with chopped parsley.

💡 Chef's tip

Use a one to one and a quarter ratio of rice to liquid and avoid stirring after adding the rice, because stirring releases starch that can trigger a burn warning and leave the bottom layer gummy.

Layering the rice and liquid under the chicken (not stirring) keeps the rice from scorching on the bottom and lets the chicken juices season the grains.