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Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is a WINNER. Cook the chicken and rice together in the Instant Pot for an easy, tasty dish.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice with Basil Cream Sauce
This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice recipe comes from our Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce recipe. This is a much simpler version and it can all be done in the Instant Pot! Dinner was literally done in about 20 minutes. Rice, chicken, and sauce all in a tasty one-pot meal. My family asks for this dinner a lot, and I happily oblige. The flavors in the simple cream sauce are to die for. If you haven’t tried many instant pot recipes, start here! It’s so easy, saves gobs of time and your family will devour it! One of our most popular instant pot chicken recipes for sure!
Ingredients in Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
This is one of those easy chicken dinners that you probably already have most of the ingredients on hand! Of course, you can add extra veggies or different types of rice but here’s what we start with:
- Chicken breasts – Generally two pounds of chicken breast is perfect for this recipe, but you can use chicken thighs or even bone-in chicken.
- Seasoning salt – This spice can be found at any grocery store, and is a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and other spices.
- Rice – We like to use jasmine rice, but you can try white rice, brown rice, basmati, or even quinoa.
- Chicken broth – There are delicious low-sodium options out there if you want to cut down on sodium but not flavor.
- Butter – for the sauce start with about four tablespoons of butter
- Garlic – minced
- Heavy whipping cream – or combine with half and half
- Basil – we usually use dried basil for the sauce. You can garnish with fresh basil if you have some on hand.
- salt and pepper – to taste
- Parmesan cheese – fresh grated cheese is delicious but you can use whatever type you like.
Tips for Making Chicken and Rice in an Instant Pot
- When using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, I like to use Jasmine rice. Mostly because it is aromatic and it doesn’t stick as much as other rice varieties. I have used regular long-grain rice with this recipe and it came out too gummy. Jasmine rice is perfect.
- Also, it is important to note that you MUST rinse it before adding it to the Instant Pot. This also helps with the gummy-ness. It makes it so it doesn’t clump as much. For any recipe, it is probably a good idea to rinse the rice.
- This recipe calls for the chicken to be cut into pieces but it can easily be served with a full serving-size of chicken. If you do this, I would recommend seasoning the chicken and then browning it a little on each side.
- You can do this by using the “sauté” function on the Instant Pot and placing a little oil in it. Cook the chicken on each side until it starts to brown. Remove from the Instant Pot and follow the recipe as usual, adding the rice and then putting the chicken over the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
This whole meal is naturally gluten-free. Because you are using the parmesan cheese as a thickener to the sauce, there is no flour involved! It is a perfect Instant Pot meal for those who are GF.
Yes! This dish is delicious with frozen peas, carrots, green beans, a diced-up medium onion, and basically any vegetables you have.
Store any leftover chicken and rice in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat by putting a serving in the microwave. You can also freeze leftovers in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge before heating a serving.
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Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken
- 2 tablespoons seasoning salt
- 2 cups Jasmine rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Basil Cream Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Cut chicken into 1″ cubes and sprinkle generously with seasoning salt.
- Rinse rice (this is important, see notes above) until water runs clear, drain well.
- Place rice in greased Instant Pot and add chicken broth.
- Put chicken over the top of the rice.
- Place lid on Instant Pot and position knob to "sealing". Push "manual" button and set to "high" pressure for 5 minutes. While chicken and rice are cooking, prepare basil cream sauce.Allow to cook and natural release for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes you can quick release. Remove lid and fluff rice with a fork.
- Spoon basil cream sauce over individual portions.
Basil Cream Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, saute garlic in butter over medium heat.
- Add chicken broth, cream, basil, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Turn heat to low and whisk in parmesan cheese.
I rarely leave comments, but this recipe is so dang delicious! It’s a repeat item when I’m meal planning. I’ve made double batches to give to families with new babies, medical struggles, anything that would elicit some help with meals. Thank you for this yummy go to recipe!
Hahahah. I am laughing hysterically as I just noticed I actually HAVE previously written a review for this recipe. I mean it when I say I rarely leave comments. So this is hilarious. And it tells you just how scrumptious it is!
Love this so much I’ve made double batches for dropping meals for friends in need (e.g., new baby at home). It’s easy and it’s delicious.
How would you adjust the time for brown rice?
For brown rice, cook in the instant pot for 15 minutes, and natural release for 5 minutes. Hope this helps!
This is the 2nd time I’ve made this meal and we love it! Halved the recipe since it’s only my husband and I at home now and used 4 chicken thighs. Same cooking time comes out perfect! Thank you for this addition to our evenings. Ü
Hi Lori- I am so glad you and your husband enjoyed this chicken and rice! Great idea using chicken thighs!
Delicious recipe! I julienned carrots and steamed them with broccoli and Brussels sprouts as a topper for this meal. The rice and chicken did give me the “burn” sign on my instant pot (8qt newer pot). Next time I will add at least 1 cup of additional broth or do rice and chicken separate somehow.
So glad you liked it, sorry you got a burn notice! We will have to remake this recipe and see if we get the same results. Thanks for letting us know!
I got the burn warning I guess it needs more liquid.
You want to have plenty of visible liquid when you start the cooking process. You may need to add some extra chicken broth if it doesn’t seem like enough. Hope this helps!
It’s more common for the newer pots because the element get hotter. Check out “pot-in-pot method” for instant pot for thick sauce meals!