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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](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/instant-pot-chicken-rice-8.jpg)
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.
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, along the lines of my best ever risotto recipe. If you’re looking for something that isn’t thick and creamy, this isn’t the recipe for you!
![Two bowls of chicken and rice](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/instant-pot-chicken-rice-6.jpg)
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
More Instant Pot Recipes You Have to Try
- Instant Pot Black Beans
- Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
- The Best EVER Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot Dal
- 50 Low Carb Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Whole30 Chili with Butternut Squash (Paleo, Low Carb)
- Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
- Japanese Curry in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Lentil Soup
- Instant Pot Applesauce
- 45 Incredible Vegan Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Jambalaya
- Instant Pot Chicken Wings
![Instant pot chicken and rice in a bowl](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/instant-pot-chicken-rice-8-500x500.jpg)
Dreamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot
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
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.
- 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.
Video
- 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.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
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.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Excellent![5 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Great! Thanks for your review, Leonard!
My husband loves this! I add some caldo de tomate to add some flavor and color. It’s definitely in our regular dinner rotation![5 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
That sounds great, Rachel! So glad it’s a hit! Thanks so much for the review!
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit. Added some peas and perfection. However my 15 yo is asking if there is a way to do it stovetop or in the oven so that when she goes to her dads she can make it there and he doesn’t have an instant pot.![5 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
So glad it was a hit! Any chance she has access to a crockpot when she’s there? We do have a crockpot version to this recipe: https://40aprons.com/crockpot-chicken-and-rice/
Let me know if not, and we’ll try to get an answer for you! Thanks so much for your review, Kriste!
Whole family loved it but make sure you add plenty of salt and pepper! I added some oregano, as well. Next time will put some corn in after it’s done for a little bit of texture. Great recipe though .![4 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-4.svg)
Glad you all enjoyed! Thanks for the review, Rebekah! Definitely feel free to add to it to make it your own!
Can you use arborio rice for this?
Dreamy indeed! I substituted butter with clarified butter but otherwise the same, it was glorious!![5 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
So glad! Thanks so much for the review, Cal!
Absolutely outstanding!![5 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-5.svg)
Yay! Thanks so much for the review, Shana!
The whole family loved it but I think I’ll do 3 cups of broth instead of 4 next time and then maybe add some veggies for color!![4 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-4.svg)
Glad everyone enjoyed, Meagan! Broccoli or peas are always a great veggie go-to with this! Thanks for the review!
I’d love to add veggies to this recipe. It was delicious but I’d love to incorporate more.![4 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-4.svg)
Veggies can definitely be added! Something like broccoli, peas, or spinach would be great! Thanks for the review, Andrea!
When do you add the veggies?
If they’re frozen, you can add them just before securing the lid and starting the pressure cooking process. For fresh vegetables, adding them at the end is generally the best approach, so they don’t overcook.
It was good and really easy but felt it was lacking flavor.![4 stars](https://40aprons.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-recipe-maker/assets/icons/rating/stars-4.svg)
Sorry it didn’t completely hit the spot for you, Mandy! We appreciate your feedback!
I plan on making this tonight and I’ll probably add poultry seasoning for a little more flavor. And some peas and carrots for veggies.
That sounds great, Dominic!