I love a dinner that minds its manners. Instantpot Chicken Recipes keeps the stove clean, gets the rice fluffy, and makes the kitchen smell like you did a lot. We start with boneless skinless chicken thighs that stay juicy. Rice soaks up every drop. The pot does the work. This is built for real life. I grab pantry bits, press a button, then wander off to set the table. Baked Rice Recipes inspired the texture I want. Think tender grains with a little bite. Instant Pot Meals speak to busy nights, and 1 Pot Meals save the sink from a pile of dishes. Baked Chicken ideas helped me keep the seasoning simple and warm. Baked Chicken Breast Recipes gave me the nudge to add a quick rest at the end for perfect slices. We eat this on quiet weeknights and nobody argues. The rice tastes rich. The chicken stays soft. If you like a little green, toss in peas. If you want extra comfort, add a pat of butter when you fluff. Dinner lands on the table fast and calm, which feels pretty great.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice
- 4) How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice
- 5) Tips for Making Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice
- 6) Making Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Chicken And Rice
- 8) Try these Main Course next
- 9) Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I like dinners that stay calm and still feel special. This dish does that with soft rice and tender chicken. The pot locks in steam and keeps flavors close. You press one button and breathe. For busy nights this feels kind. For tired brains this feels safe.
Rice sits under chicken and drinks the broth. Spices cling to the meat and slide into the grains. The texture lands between fluffy and creamy. A squeeze of lemon brightens the bowl. Fresh parsley wakes it up. Kids eat it without a speech. Grownups go back for more.
We keep the pantry list short. We use basic moves. We get dinner on the table in about half an hour. If you want heat add chili. If you want green add peas. If you like a richer finish fold in a bit of butter when you fluff the rice. Lila at Lila Cooks shares this with steady pride on https://www.lilacooks.com
2) Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice Recipe
I lean on Instantpot Chicken Recipes for comfort and speed. Instantpot Chicken Recipes keeps cleanup light and my sanity intact. I set the pot and it hums. The kitchen smells warm. The rice looks glossy. The chicken stays juicy. I do not babysit a pan. I set plates and chat with whoever wanders in.
The method runs simple. Season chicken. Sweat onion. Rinse rice until the water runs clear. Add broth. Nestle chicken on top. Seal and cook. Let the steam drop on its own for a short rest. The grains relax. The meat rests. The result tastes like a slow simmer without the long wait. Short keyword lands here too with chicken and rice for a weeknight dinner that still feels like care.
You can fold this into many moods. Want more brightness. Use lemon. Want a deeper bite. Brown the chicken first on sauté. Want a little garden. Stir in peas at the end. Pressure cooker chicken dinners often skip texture. This one holds shape in every spoon. On Lila Cooks I keep choices gentle so home cooks feel steady and sure.
3) Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice
Boneless skinless chicken thighs I reach for about one pound trimmed. Thighs stay tender in the cooker. The meat welcomes spice and returns rich flavor to the rice. If you only have breasts you can use those and check doneness with a quick slice.
Basmati rice One and one half cups rinsed well. Rinsing keeps grains separate. The long grain shape gives lift. Jasmine rice also works and brings a soft floral note. Either choice loves broth.
Chicken broth One and three quarter cups. Low sodium lets you control the final salt. Warm broth helps the pot reach pressure fast and keeps starch from clumping.
Onion One small onion diced. The onion melts into the rice and adds gentle sweetness. A shallot can stand in and will give a soft edge.
Garlic Three cloves minced. Garlic blooms in the hot oil then leans into the broth. The flavor stays round and kind.
Olive oil Two tablespoons for the sauté. The oil carries spice and helps the onion soften without sticking.
Kosher salt and black pepper Season the chicken and later the rice. Start light then taste at the end. Salt wakes up the grains. Pepper adds a small bite.
Paprika and dried thyme A teaspoon of paprika and a half teaspoon of thyme bring warmth. The spices stay friendly and do not crowd the bowl.
Frozen peas Three quarters cup if you want color and a sweet pop. Fold them in after cooking and the heat will warm them through.
Butter and parsley A small spoon of butter gives shine. A sprinkle of chopped parsley adds freshness. Lemon wedges on the side bring lift for those who like a spark.
4) How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice
Step 1 Pat the chicken dry. Cut large pieces for even cooking. Season both sides with salt pepper paprika and thyme. This quick step helps the meat stay juicy and gives the rice flavor to borrow later.
Step 2 Set the cooker to sauté. Warm olive oil. Add diced onion and stir until soft. Add minced garlic and stir for half a minute. Aromas will rise and tell you to move on.
Step 3 Rinse basmati until water runs clear. Stir the rice into the pot and coat each grain with oil. This keeps texture light. Press cancel.
Step 4 Spread the rice in an even layer. Pour in chicken broth. Place the seasoned thighs on top. Do not stir. Lock the lid and set high pressure for eight minutes.
Step 5 Let the pot rest for ten minutes after the timer ends. Release any remaining steam. Lift the lid. Move the chicken to a plate and rest for five minutes.
Step 6 Fluff the rice with a fork. Fold in peas and a small spoon of butter if using. Slice or shred the chicken. Return it to the pot and toss gently.
Step 7 Taste and adjust salt. Finish with parsley. Squeeze lemon at the table for a bright kick. Serve warm and watch the bowls clear.
5) Tips for Making Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice
Rinse the rice until water turns clear. Starch lifts away and grains stay separate. Keep the ratio steady so the texture lands right. One and three quarter cups broth to one and one half cups rice works well here.
Use natural release for ten minutes. Steam drop time matters for rice. It keeps the grains from turning soft. That short rest also relaxes the meat so slices stay neat.
If you crave deeper flavor give the chicken a quick sear before pressure. A minute per side on sauté adds color. For a brighter bowl finish with lemon zest and parsley. For a creamier feel fold in a small spoon of butter. Instant pot chicken ideas fit many moods and this one bends with ease.
6) Making Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice Ahead of Time
This meal fits a plan. Cook a full pot on Sunday and split it into boxes. The rice holds shape for days. The chicken keeps its tenderness. A splash of broth during reheat brings back the shine.
For packed lunches keep lemon wedges in a small cup. Add the squeeze after warming so the scent stays bright. If you love a crunch bring toasted nuts or crisp veggies on the side and add at the table.
For a freezer option cool the rice and chicken on sheet pans then pack into bags. Press out air. Label with the date. Thaw in the fridge and warm with broth. Many pressure cooker chicken dinners freeze fine and this one comes back with good texture.
7) Storing Leftover Chicken And Rice
Store leftovers in tight containers. The fridge keeps them fresh for three to four days. The rice will firm as it chills. That is normal and easy to fix with a spoon of broth during reheat.
Warm on the stove or with the pot on sauté. Stir often and add small sips of liquid until the grains relax again. Taste salt at the end since flavors change a bit in the cold.
If you plan to freeze use flat bags for quick thaw later. Lay them on a tray so they set in a thin sheet. Reheat gently. Electric cooker chicken rice returns to life with steam and patience.
8) Try these Main Course next
9) Instant Pot Chicken Thighs And Rice
Instantpot Chicken Recipes Chicken Thighs And Rice One Pot Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 cups basmati rice rinsed well
- 1.75 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs trimmed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
- 0.75 cup frozen peas optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley optional
- lemon wedges for serving optional
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and cut larger pieces for even cooking. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
- Set the cooker to sauté. Warm the oil. Cook the onion until soft. Stir in the garlic for thirty seconds.
- Rinse the rice until water runs clear. Stir the rice into the pot for one minute to coat the grains.
- Press cancel. Spread the rice in an even layer. Pour in the broth. Lay the chicken on top.
- Seal the lid. Cook on high pressure for eight minutes. Let pressure release naturally for ten minutes.
- Open the lid. Remove the chicken to a plate and rest for five minutes.
- Fluff the rice. Fold in peas and butter if using. Slice or shred the chicken and return it to the pot.
- Taste and adjust salt. Finish with parsley. Serve with lemon.
10) Nutrition
A serving sits at about one bowl. Expect near five hundred calories with protein near thirty grams. Carbohydrates land in the low sixties. Fat stays near the upper teens. Sodium sits near seven hundred milligrams when you start with low sodium broth. Fiber stays modest and rises if you add peas. These numbers shift with brand and salt and butter choices.
For a lighter bowl use chicken breast and skip butter. For more energy keep the butter and add extra peas. If you chase balance serve with a crisp salad or steamed greens. Drink water and call it a good meal.
Readers ask about short and longtail terms so here is a quick note. You will see instant pot chicken dinner ideas threaded through this page. One pot shows up since cleanup stays easy. You will also see a long form phrase that reads how to make chicken thighs and rice in instant pot. These help people find this guide and then cook a calm meal.
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