Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Many readers love Instant Pot One Pot Meals and have requested some more simple One Pot Chicken and Rice Instant Pot Recipes we can make even on a chaotic weeknight!

We usually use the Pot in Pot Rice method for cooking Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipes. That is, having the chicken ingredients in the bottom and the rice in a smaller separate bowl on top in the same Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

From our observations, the newer Instant Pots are seemingly more sensitive to the “BURN” error, so it gets trickier with cooking both the Chicken and Rice in Instant Pot at the same time (without the separate pot-in-pot bowl).

After testing with different methods, cooking liquid ratios, this Mama’s Chicken and Rice comes out fully cooked plump soaked with flavorful chicken juice, tomato sauce, and sweetness from the carrots with tender juicy chicken.

It’s a real super easy weeknight one pot meal that’s flavorful, comforting & easy to eat. 😀

Let’s cook some tasty Mama’s Instant Pot Chicken and Rice!

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Prepare Ingredients for this Tasty comforting Mama’s Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe:

Brown Chicken Thighs in Instant Pot

Heat up Instant Pot using “Sauté More” function.

*Tip: For older versions – press “Saute” button, then “Adjust” button. For newer versions – press “Saute” button twice.

Wait until it says “HOT” (takes roughly 8 minutes). This prevents the chicken thighs from sticking to the pot.

Add 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil in Instant Pot. Swirl the inner pot to ensure the oil evenly covers the whole bottom of the inner pot (as shown in bottom photo @ top left corner).

Season one side of the chicken generously with salt & black pepper.

Add the chicken thighs in Instant Pot, then brown each side for 5 minutes.

While one side is browning, season the other side of the chicken with more salt & black pepper.

Saute Onion & Garlic

Set aside the browned chicken thighs.

Add in sliced onions and 1 tsp (5.8g) tomato paste, then saute for two minutes.

Add in a pinch of dried oregano and dried basil. Saute for another minute.

Add in minced garlic cloves, then saute for another 30 seconds.

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour ½ cup (125ml) unsalted stock in Instant Pot, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon (as shown in below photo).

Give it a quick mix.

Pressure Cook Chicken and Rice

To prevent the “BURN” error, we’ll need to first layer the browned chicken thighs and chopped carrots at the bottom of the pot.

Then, add 1.5 tablespoons (22.5ml) regular soy sauce and 2 cups (440g) Jasmine rice in Instant Pot.

Pour in 1 ½ cup (375ml) unsalted chicken stock.

*Pro Tip: Make sure the rice is fully submerged in the cooking liquid.

Layer quartered tomatoes on top.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

• Pressure Cooking Methods: Pressure Cook at High Pressure 7 minutes + Natural Release 12 minutes

After 12 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position.

When Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

Ta da! The chicken and rice smells sooo good & comforting~ 😀

Season Chicken and Rice

Taste and season with more salt (for reference, we added 3 large pinches of salt).

*Pro Tip: For this pressure cooker chicken and rice recipe, you will want to season the chicken and rice with more salt because the flavor boost will be quite dramatic.

Turn off the heat, then fluff the chicken and rice before serving.

Serve Pressure Cooker Mama’s Chicken and Rice

Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, then serve this wonderfully comforting & tasty Instant Pot Chicken Rice One Pot Meal! Yummy~ 🙂

Enjoy your Ultimate Tasty Comfort Mama’s Instant Pot Chicken and Rice!~ 🙂

Tools for Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Wooden Spoon

More Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken

Instant Pot Hainanese Chicken