Instant Pot Chicken and Rice One-Pot Meal Recipe
This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is a convenient and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned and seared, then cooked together with brown rice, vegetables, and savory chicken broth for a hearty and wholesome dish. The use of the Instant Pot ensures tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning (divided)
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 3 tbsp Olive oil (divided into 2 tbsp and 1 tbsp)
Vegetables & Rice
- 1 medium Yellow onion (diced)
- 3 medium Carrots (diced)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Brown rice (rinsed; or white rice or jasmine rice as substitute)
- 1 1/2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium
- 1 cup Frozen peas
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper to infuse them with flavor before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the Instant Pot and set to Sauté mode. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Avoid crowding the pot; sear in batches if needed. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Add the diced onions and carrots, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until they soften and develop flavor.
- Add Garlic and Rice: Stir in the minced garlic and rinsed brown rice. Sauté for 1-2 minutes to toast the rice slightly and combine flavors.
- Add Liquids: Turn off the Sauté mode and pour in the chicken broth. Stir everything together to combine well.
- Pressure Cook: Place the rack inside the Instant Pot and arrange the seared chicken breasts on top. Close the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 12 minutes with a 5-minute natural pressure release. For white or jasmine rice, reduce cooking time to 10 minutes.
- Finish with Peas: Carefully remove the rack with the chicken. Stir frozen peas into the cooked rice, then rest the lid partially over the pot for 5 minutes to warm the peas. Fluff the rice with a fork.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve the flavorful chicken and rice warm.
Notes
- Use brown rice for a nuttier flavor and more fiber; white or jasmine rice can be substituted with a shorter cooking time.
- Make sure to rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Do not skip the searing step for extra flavor and better texture on the chicken.
- If the chicken breasts are thick, adjust cooking time slightly for thorough doneness.
- The peas add a pop of color and sweetness; you can add other vegetables if desired.
Keywords: instant pot chicken and rice, one pot meal, easy chicken dinner, pressure cooker chicken recipe