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Home » Recipes » Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Published: May 16, 2023 · Modified: Oct 18, 2023 by Kate

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Plate of chicken rice, plus ingredients on a table, with text: Instant Pot Tomato Chicken Rice.
Plate of chicken and rice, plus ingredients on a table and shot of making the dish.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is a flavor-packed, one-pot wonder! Juicy chicken thighs and tomato seasoned rice make a hearty and budget-friendly recipe you'll love. A quick and easy weeknight meal.

Bowl of chicken and rice.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is a tasty, easy one-pot pressure cooker meal perfect for busy weeknights.

It's made with simple ingredients like chicken thighs, rice, tomato paste, and paprika.

The juicy thighs are shredded through the tomato-infused seasoned rice, making it a hearty and satisfying budget-friendly dish.

To make this recipe, simply brown the chicken in the Instant Pot, then add the rice, broth, and seasonings. Close the lid, seal the valve, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Shred the chicken, fluff with a fork and serve!

This recipe is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides.

Some popular sides include roasted vegetables, salad, or even bread. We often serve it with some of these 49 Awesome BBQ Side Dishes, Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon, or Roasted Beets.

I love that it's also a great option for meal prep. Simply double or triple the recipe and store the leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.

If you're looking for a delicious and easy one-pot meal, Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is the perfect option. It's quick, easy, and packed with flavor. So give it a try tonight!

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • More Chicken Thigh Recipes
  • Recipe Tips
  • FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's a complete meal in one pot, which means less clean-up and more time to enjoy your meal!
  • The pressure cooker dish is packed with flavor from the spices, seasonings, and tomato paste.
  • Your Instant Pot makes cooking chicken and rice easy and quick, even on busy weeknights.
Ingredients on a table.

Ingredients

You only need simple pantry ingredients for this recipe!

  • Chicken thighs: boneless and skinless, these are a flavorful and tender cut of chicken that work well in pressure cooking.
  • Rice: Use basmati or long-grain rice for this recipe. Brown rice can be used, but you may need to cook the dish a little longer.
  • Chicken broth: adds moisture and flavor to the rice and chicken. Alternatively, use bouillon or vegetable broth.
  • Olive oil: for cooking the chicken and onions.
  • Onion: adds a rich savory flavor and depth to the recipe.
  • Garlic: adds a deliciously bold flavor to the dish, and infuses the chicken and rice with its aroma. In this dish, I cut a whole head in half horizontally to expose the cloves. Alternatively, you can mince a few cloves.
  • Tomato puree/paste: a concentrated form of tomatoes that adds a rich, savory flavor to the dish. It comes in a tube or small can.
  • Paprika: for a rich flavor.
  • Garlic powder: adds a delicious garlicky flavor to the dish.
  • Salt and black pepper: to season the IP chicken and rice.

See the recipe card for quantities and method.

How to make

Follow these step-by-step instructions, then scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

Turn on the Instant Pot to ‘Saute’ mode and heat 1 tablespoon of the oil.

Seasoning the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.

Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.

Add the chicken thighs and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned all over. Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and set aside.

Rice stirred in.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the Instant Pot. When it’s hot, add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. 

Stir in the tomato paste, then stir in the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for a further 4 minutes.

Stock added.

Stir in the broth, paprika and garlic powder.

Stock, chicken, garlic and seasonings added to the pot.

Add the seared chicken thighs back into the pot, along with the head of garlic - cut in half horizontally to expose the cloves.

Shot of the dish cooking in the instant pot.

Close the lid and seal the valve. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 15 minutes, then Natural Release for 12 minutes.

Remove the heads of garlic. Use two forks to shred the chicken thighs and to fluff up the rice.

Serve and enjoy!

To make this recipe on the stove top:

  1. Brown the chicken in a large pot over medium heat, then add the onion and cook until softened.
  2. Stir in the tomato paste, rice, broth, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice and chicken are cooked through.
Table with a plate of Instant Pot Chicken and Rice, made with tomato seasoned rice and shredded chicken thighs.

Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve this Instant Pot Chicken and Rice with a side of your favorite vegetables, such as roasted broccoli or green beans.
  • You can also serve it with a salad or a bowl of soup.
  • This dish is also great for leftovers. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. How to reheat rice safely.
  • The chicken is cooked to juicy perfection in the flavorful broth, and the rice comes out perfectly fluffy.
  • It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. For example, you can add different vegetables or spices to the pot.
  • Pressure cooker chicken and rice is a budget-friendly meal.
  • This recipe makes a comforting and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at your table.

Variations

  • Use different types of rice, such as jasmine or brown rice.
  • Add vegetables such as carrots, peas, or green beans to the pot for added nutrition.
  • Use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs for a lower fat option.

Storage

  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

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Plate full of seasoned Instant Pot Chicken and Rice.

Recipe Tips

  • Rinse the rice well to remove excess starch and prevent it from becoming too sticky.
  • Brown the chicken well on both sides to add flavor to the dish.
  • Try deglazing the instant pot after browning the chicken to prevent burning.
  • Allow the pressure to release naturally before quick releasing any remaining pressure.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken breast, but be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly as chicken breast cooks faster than chicken thighs.

Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

📖 Recipe

Close up of shredded chicken and rice with tomato paste.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is full of juicy chicken thighs and tomato seasoned rice. It makes a hearty, budget-friendly, 1 pot meal.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken and rice, instant pot chicken and rice, instant pot dinner
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Natural Release: 12 minutes minutes
Total Time: 57 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 367kcal
Author: Kate | You Say Potatoes
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Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato puree/paste
  • 1 cup long grain or basmati rice
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 head of garlic cut in half horizontally

Instructions

  • Turn on the Instant Pot to ‘Saute’ mode and heat 1 tablespoon of the oil.
  • Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
  • Add the chicken thighs and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned all over. Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and set aside.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the Instant Pot. When it’s hot, add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, then stir in the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for a further 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the broth, paprika and garlic powder.
  • Add the seared chicken thighs back into the pot, along with the head of garlic - cut in half horizontally to expose the cloves.
  • Close the lid and seal the valve. Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 15 minutes, then Natural Release for 12 minutes.
  • Remove the heads of garlic. Use two forks to shred the chicken thighs and to fluff up the rice.

To make this recipe on the stove top:

  • Brown the chicken in a large pot over medium heat, then add the onion and cook until softened.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, rice, broth, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice and chicken are cooked through.
Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

Notes

  • If you don't have a head of garlic, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • Alternatively, mince 3 cloves of garlic and stir them in for the final minute of cooking the onions.
  • For a spicier rice, add cayenne.

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 654mg | Potassium: 519mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 3mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 4 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kelley

    May 22, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    5 stars
    This was so easy and made dinner time so fast! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!

    Reply
  2. Kim

    May 22, 2023 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    This was so good! I sauteed a few onions on the side and mixed it all together when it was done. Yum!

    Reply
  3. Casey

    May 29, 2023 at 2:50 pm

    5 stars
    I love using the Instant Pot to make rice. It comes out perfect every time. And adding the chicken thighs only makes this meal easier. This was so good and going into our regular meal plan rotation!

    Reply
  4. Chenee

    June 02, 2023 at 2:49 pm

    5 stars
    I love how budget-friendly this chicken and rice is. And the IP makes it so easy! Perfect weeknight dinner option. The whole family really liked it! Served it up with steamed broccoli.

    Reply

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Kate cooking.

Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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