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Home Blog Course Main Course

Dreamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 03/26/20 Updated: 07/11/22
4.91
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Instant pot chicken and rice
Instant pot chicken and rice
Instant pot chicken and rice
Instant pot chicken and rice
Instant pot chicken and rice

This Instant Pot chicken and rice is just absolutely dreamy. It’s rich and creamy but SO quick and easy to make. The whole family will love it, and it’s a true one-pot meal! With Parmesan cheese and a splash of lemon, this weeknight family dinner recipe is inspired by my favorite risotto recipe but with none of the hard work required!

Instant pot chicken and rice in a bowl

Why This Recipe Is So Good

  • Thick and creamy with melty Parmesan, a tang of lemon juice, and perfectly cooked chicken and rice, this recipe is the ultimate comfort food.
  • This chicken and rice is so rich and delicious, but so easy to make! With just a few steps in the Instant Pot, this is the perfect easy but filling meal. It’s absolutely one of my favorite Instant Pot chicken recipes!
  • This recipe only takes a handful of ingredients that you may already have in your house! We love how simple the ingredients are but how amazingly rich and cheesy this chicken and rice is.

How To Make It

  1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add the butter and let it melt before adding onion and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add the chicken and stir. Cook until the chicken is no longer translucent. Add in the rice, broth, and lemon juice and stir well. Make sure nothing is sticking to the sides, and scoop the chicken pieces to the top. 
  3. Close the lid and set valve to Sealing. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
  4. After 8 minutes, let naturally release for 2 minutes, then Quick Release the rest of the pressure. Stir everything well and season with Parmesan, salt, and pepper to taste.
Instructions for instant pot chicken and rice

Chef’s Tips

  • Parmesan cheese is optional for this recipe, but we definitely recommend it! Fresh Parm will make this taste more like risotto, but if you are out, you can use a shredded cheese, like cheddar.
  • We used plain white rice for this recipe. Brown rice is not recommended since it would take about 10 minutes longer, which would overcook the chicken.
  • You must follow the directions exactly for releasing the pressure. Leaving it too long will result in overcooked rice and a potentially gluey texture. Make sure you manually release pressure after 2 minutes of natural pressure release!
  • This recipe does not make a soupy or stewy chicken and rice, but a thick and creamy risotto-like recipe. If you’re looking for something that isn’t thick and creamy, this isn’t the recipe for you!

You’ll Love These Other Instant Pot Chicken Recipes, Too

  • Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
  • Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast
  • The Best Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs
  • Chicken Burrito Bowls in the Instant Pot
  • Instant Pot Chicken and “Rice” Soup (Whole30, Low Carb)
  • Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-Less Soup (Paleo)
  • Easy Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup (Gluten Free Option)
  • Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Two bowls of chicken and rice

More Instant Pot Recipes You Have to Try

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Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Instant pot chicken and rice in a bowl
4.91 from 659 votes

Dreamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Prep:15 minutes
Cook:25 minutes
Total:40 minutes
Inspired by risotto (but without all the hard work), this rich, creamy, and totally dreamy chicken and rice one-pot meal is sure to be a family favorite.
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4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts about 2-3 breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3-4 cups chicken broth see Notes
  • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice juice from approximately 1 lemon
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice rinsed, see Notes
  • 1 cup fresh parmesan cheese shredded or grated
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt more or less to taste
  • ¼ teaspoons black pepper more or less to taste

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Instructions 

  • Set Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add butter and let melt, then add garlic and onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add chicken and stir. Cook until no longer translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in rice, broth, and lemon juice. Stir well, bringing chicken pieces to top. 
    Add in chicken broth and liquid ingredients to Instant Pot
  • Secure lid on pot and set valve to Sealing. Set to Manual High Pressure for 8 minutes.
  • When cook time is completed, let naturally release for 2 minutes, then carefully Quick Release remaining pressure. Stir well and season with parmesan, salt, and pepper to taste. Add a little more chicken broth, if desired, to reach desired consistency – optional.
  • If you find liquid still remaining on the top of your Instant Pot chicken and rice after cooking, stir well and turn on Sauté mode to fully incorporate.

Notes

  • Chicken broth: Use 3 cups of chicken broth if you prefer a firmer rice with a more separate grain. Use 4 cups for a more risotto-inspired chicken and rice, with a soupier, more stew-like texture. The rice will still have a clear grain but will be nice and soft. My family and I prefer 4 cups; we like the risotto texture more than when made with 3 cups. However, if you want your version to have clear grains of rice and be less creamy, use 3 cups.
  • Rice: Be sure to use white rice for this recipe! Brown rice is not recommended since it would take about 10 minutes longer, which would overcook the chicken. Do not use instant or minute rice.
  • Cheese: Fresh Parmesan is ideal, but can sub shredded cheese.
  • If you end up with a “gluey” texture to your chicken and rice, it’s likely you’ve overcooked the recipe by leaving it to release pressure naturally for too long. This part is important! Give it just 2 minutes after the Instant pot beeps, then manually release pressure.
  • This recipe will be more like a risotto than a fried rice texture or rice pilaf.
  • To Clean Instant Pot: If any rice sticks to your Instant Pot, use my easy trick to clean it. Fill the Instant Pot up ¼-⅓ of the way with water and dish soap. Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode on High/Extra High heat and let liquid simmer. After a few minutes, the rice will loosen and clean up easily.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 676kcal, Carbohydrates: 61g, Protein: 54g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 156mg, Sodium: 1957mg, Potassium: 912mg, Fiber: 1g, Vitamin A: 598IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 347mg, Iron: 2mg, Net Carbs: 60g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

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Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

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  1. Sally says

    Posted on 4/5/22 at 2:06 pm

    Is Jasmine or arborio rice something that would work in this recipe?

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 4/5/22 at 8:32 pm

      We recommend sticking with the rinsed white rice to get the creaminess.5 stars

      Reply
  2. MADISEN says

    Posted on 4/5/22 at 1:57 pm

    SO EASY AND DELISH! PERFECT FOR AN EASY FAMILY DINNER5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 4/5/22 at 8:33 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂5 stars

      Reply
  3. Mallory says

    Posted on 4/4/22 at 7:00 pm

    Why not minute rice?

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 4/5/22 at 8:33 pm

      Since we’re making this in the Instant Pot, you want to avoid quick-cook grains like instant rice.5 stars

      Reply
  4. Chrissy says

    Posted on 4/4/22 at 6:47 pm

    This was excellent and nobody complained! Great addition to my weeknight dinner recipes!5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 4/5/22 at 8:34 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂5 stars

      Reply
  5. LeeAnn McKinney says

    Posted on 4/4/22 at 6:25 pm

    Made this tonight for dinner… it 100% hit the spot, even for my picky husband.5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 4/5/22 at 8:34 pm

      Yay! Glad to hear it. 🙂5 stars

      Reply
  6. Danielle says

    Posted on 3/31/22 at 11:40 am

    Can I use legs, thighs, or a whole chicken instead of breasts?

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 4/5/22 at 8:44 pm

      Thighs would work!5 stars

      Reply
  7. Victoria says

    Posted on 3/30/22 at 6:28 pm

    We love this so much. We’ve tried three different cheeses and liked it with all! Thanks for sharing this recipe!5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 4/5/22 at 8:44 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂5 stars

      Reply
  8. Vee says

    Posted on 3/21/22 at 2:23 pm

    Can I double this recipe? If so do I alter cook times?5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 3/22/22 at 3:12 pm

      Yes, you can double it. It will not affect the cooking times, as the Instant Pot will regulate that internally. However, it will likely take longer to come to pressure, so just expect that. Hope this helps!5 stars

      Reply
  9. Lucky says

    Posted on 3/20/22 at 9:01 pm

    Thanks! Super quick and easy. For additional flavor/texture I added toasted almond slices and black sesame seeds. Topped with green onion. So tasty!5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 3/22/22 at 3:14 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it!5 stars

      Reply
  10. Jennifer says

    Posted on 3/20/22 at 7:43 pm

    Super yummy. I felt like the chicken was a little dry but could be user error! I cooked frozen mixed veggies on the side and ended up mixing it into my serving which I felt like added a nice pop of sweet from the veggies to the savory rice and chicken. Also made an easy way to sneak in some veggies to the dish! Overall easy and everyone including very picky toddler enjoyed!4 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 3/22/22 at 3:17 pm

      Glad y’all enjoyed it!5 stars

      Reply
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