Instant Pot Chicken Breast and Rice
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
502 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Instant Pot Chicken Breast and Rice
Description
Instant Pot Chicken Breast and Rice features boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated with a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder, browned to develop a light crust before pressure cooking. The rice is rinsed beforehand to reduce starch and cooked with butter, garlic, and chicken broth for a rich, flavorful base. The chicken is elevated by being placed on a steam rack above the rice, allowing juices to gently drip during cooking without sogging the rice. Garlic and herbs flavor the rice throughout, while the pressure cooking creates moist chicken and tender grains.
Cooking the chicken on a steam rack within the pot keeps it juicy while the rice cooks evenly in broth with butter and seasoning, providing a comforting one-pot meal. The natural release of pressure after cooking ensures the chicken stays tender. A final lemon juice drizzle adds brightness that complements the savory base.
This dish can be served on its own for a straightforward dinner or alongside steamed vegetables for a full meal. Leftover rice and chicken reheat well for quick lunches. Adjustments for brown rice entail extra broth and longer cooking time, noted in the recipe guidance.
Rinsing the rice before cooking helps prevent sticking and yields separated grains. If the rice finishes a bit firm, an additional two minutes of pressure cooking with the chicken removed and covered tightly can soften it further. For brown rice, an extra cup of broth and a longer cook ensure tenderness. These tips help adapt to various rice preferences and ensure optimal texture.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast medium, boneless, skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence seasoning, dried blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
for the rice
- 1 cup long grain white rice rinsed, see note
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence seasoning, dried blend
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- lemon juice of 1
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to SAUTE and drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Stir together dried herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Rub chicken with 1 tablespoon oil, then season all over with salt and pepper to taste, and finish with the seasoning blend. Add chicken to pot, brown for 1-2 minutes on each side, then transfer to a plate.
- Add butter to the pot. Once melted, stir in garlic. Stir in rice along with dried herbs and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in broth.
- Set steam rack in the pot with the handles up. Place chicken on the rack. Cover and set to PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL for 5 minutes. Cook, then do a natural release for 5 minutes, remove lid. Transfer chicken to a plate. (see note)
- Fluff rice with a fork. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over chicken and rice, and serve.
Notes
- Rinsing rice reduces starch, preventing sticking and producing fluffier grains.
- If the rice is undercooked after pressure cooking, remove chicken and cook rice for an additional 2 minutes under pressure.
- For brown rice, add 1 extra cup of broth and pressure cook for 3 more minutes after the initial cook, keeping chicken covered to stay warm.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 502 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 502kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 52g | 104% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 145mg | 48% |
| Sodium | 596mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 985mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 82IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 41mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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