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Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and easy Instant Pot recipe combining tender chicken thighs and fluffy long-grain white rice with garlic and herbs, perfect for comforting weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth, preferably low sodium
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup of long-grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Pat 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and dried thyme.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the pot and brown for 2 minutes on each side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Pour in 1 ½ cups chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to deglaze and remove browned bits.
  5. Spread the rinsed rice evenly over the broth, then place the browned chicken thighs on top without stirring.
  6. Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ on high for 8 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then release remaining pressure manually.
  7. Open the lid, remove chicken, and fluff rice with a fork. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Return chicken on top, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

Rinse rice thoroughly to prevent clumping. Browning the chicken adds flavor and helps avoid the ‘Burn’ error. Do not stir rice and chicken before cooking to keep rice texture perfect. Use natural pressure release for best results. Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts in this recipe.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, chicken and rice, quick dinner, weeknight meal, pressure cooker recipe, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/easy-instant-pot-chicken-and-rice-recipe-for-quick-weeknight-dinners/