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Easy Creamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and comforting one-pot creamy chicken and rice dish made in the Instant Pot, perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. (5 minutes)
  2. Turn Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ setting and heat olive oil and butter until melted and shimmering. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. (8 minutes)
  3. Add seasoned chicken thighs to the pot and brown each side for 2-3 minutes. (7 minutes)
  4. Pour in rice and chicken broth, stirring gently to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. (2 minutes)
  5. Secure lid, set valve to ‘Sealing,’ and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. (8 minutes active cooking plus 10 minutes natural release)
  6. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release remaining pressure. Remove lid. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until creamy and smooth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. (5 minutes)
  7. Let dish sit for a couple of minutes to thicken before serving. (3 minutes)

Notes

Do not skip the sauté step to develop flavor. Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best sauce texture. If rice is too wet, sauté for a minute or two to evaporate excess liquid. Natural pressure release is important for tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice. Can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for dairy-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, chicken and rice, creamy chicken, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/easy-creamy-instant-pot-chicken-and-rice-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-dinners/