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Creamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

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

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (300 g), rinsed
  • 3 cups chicken broth (720 ml), low sodium preferred
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix (150 g), optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (about 115 g)
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (50 g), optional
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water until water runs clear to remove excess starch. Chop chicken breasts into roughly 1-inch pieces. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add olive oil or butter and let it heat up. Toss in the onions and garlic, stirring often until fragrant and translucent — about 3 minutes. Watch closely so garlic doesn’t burn.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the pot and sauté until they turn white on the outside but aren’t fully cooked. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
  4. Pour in the rinsed rice and chicken broth. Sprinkle dried thyme or Italian seasoning, plus salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine, making sure rice is submerged under liquid.
  5. Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once done, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before carefully releasing any remaining pressure manually.
  6. Open the lid and stir in frozen peas and carrots. Add softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar, stirring vigorously until creamy and smooth.
  7. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up. Let it rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Rinse rice well to prevent sticking. Soften cream cheese before adding for smooth texture. Use natural pressure release to avoid splatter. If rice is undercooked, let it sit with lid closed off heat for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, chicken and rice, creamy chicken recipe, easy dinner, cozy meals, pressure cooker recipe

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/creamy-instant-pot-chicken-and-rice-recipe-for-easy-cozy-dinners/