Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe
A comforting and creamy Instant Pot recipe featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and mixed vegetables, all cooked together for a quick and easy one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Grains and Vegetables
- 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add olive oil, then sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Brown the chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot along with salt and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken starts to brown lightly on all sides.
- Add rice and broth: Stir in the rinsed long grain white rice, low-sodium chicken broth, and frozen mixed vegetables. Mix everything together to combine evenly.
- Pressure cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. When done, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Add cream and cheese: Open the lid and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until everything is well combined and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the creamy chicken and rice hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice before cooking helps remove excess starch and prevents it from becoming sticky.
- For a lower fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.
- You can customize the mixed vegetables according to your preference or use fresh veggies chopped finely.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow the pot to sauté a few minutes after releasing pressure to reduce liquid.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave.
Keywords: Instant Pot chicken and rice, creamy chicken rice, one pot chicken dinner, quick dinner recipe, comfort food
