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Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 62 reviews

This Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice recipe combines tender chicken breasts with perfectly cooked long-grain white rice in a creamy, flavorful mixture enriched with butter, garlic, onion, fresh lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Prepared entirely in the Instant Pot, this one-pot meal is quick, convenient, and comforting, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious home-cooked dinner with minimal effort.

Ingredients

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Chicken and Rice

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup chopped white onion (approximately 1 medium onion)
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic (approximately 4 large cloves)
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (rinsed)
  • 3–4 cups chicken broth (3 cups for firmer rice, 4 cups for softer rice)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice from approximately 1 large lemon)
  • 1 cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese (or grated, at room temperature)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt (more or less to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (more or less to taste)

Instructions

  1. Saute Butter: Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the pot and allow it to melt completely.
  2. Cook Aromatics: Once the butter has melted, add the chopped white onion and minced fresh garlic. Stir to combine, then sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onions become soft and translucent, releasing a rich aroma.
  3. Saute Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the pot. Stir occasionally and sauté for approximately 5 minutes until the chicken pieces are opaque on all sides, ensuring they start to cook evenly.
  4. Add Rice, Broth, and Lemon Juice: Incorporate the rinsed long-grain white rice, chicken broth (choose 3 cups for firmer rice or 4 cups for a softer texture), and fresh lemon juice into the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients, scraping the bottom to loosen any bits stuck from the onions or garlic.
  5. Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the Sealing position. Choose Manual High Pressure mode and set the cooking time to 8 minutes. The pot will pressurize, then begin the cooking countdown.
  6. Natural Release: When the cooking cycle finishes, let the pressure release naturally for 2 minutes. Avoid longer natural release to prevent overcooking the rice.
  7. Quick Release: Carefully perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure. Remove the lid cautiously to avoid steam burns.
  8. Combine and Adjust Consistency: Stir the chicken and rice mixture thoroughly. If there is any excess liquid pooling, turn the pot back to Sauté mode and stir until all liquid is absorbed and the texture is creamy.
  9. Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning or add extra Parmesan or lemon juice if desired for enhanced flavor.
  10. Serve: Once seasoned to your liking, portion the creamy chicken and rice mixture into bowls or plates. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if preferred and serve warm for a comforting meal.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice before cooking helps remove excess starch and prevents the dish from becoming gummy.
  • The amount of chicken broth can be adjusted depending on your desired rice texture—less for firmer rice and more for softer, soupier results.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best brightness in flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be a substitute if needed.
  • Ensure you do not over-release pressure after cooking to avoid overcooked rice.
  • If excess liquid remains after pressure cooking, sautéing helps integrate it back into the dish for a creamy consistency.

Keywords: Instant Pot chicken and rice, easy chicken recipe, one pot chicken rice, pressure cooker chicken meal, creamy chicken and rice

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/easy-instant-pot-chicken-and-rice-recipe/