Name: Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter; 1/2 medium onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced (optional); 2.5 cups chicken broth; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 cup white jasmine rice (or basmati), rinsed; 4 dashes Italian seasoning

Description

This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice recipe is a comforting, flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are cooked alongside aromatic jasmine rice, garlic, and savory Italian seasoning in a rich chicken broth with a touch of lemon juice, resulting in a creamy, slightly sticky rice and moist chicken all in just about 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter

Vegetables

1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced (optional)

Liquids & Seasoning

2.5 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup white jasmine rice (or basmati), rinsed
4 dashes Italian seasoning

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Instructions

Season the Chicken: Season both sides of each chicken breast generously with salt and pepper to build flavor from the start.
Sauté Aromatics: Press the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Add olive oil and chopped onion; cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic to release its fragrance.
Add Liquids and Rice: While keeping the sauté mode on, add the chicken broth, lemon juice, rinsed rice, Italian seasoning, butter, and optional sliced carrots. Stir well to combine and prevent sticking.
Position Chicken and Cook: Give the mixture a good stir, making sure nothing is stuck to the bottom, then lay the seasoned chicken breasts on top. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select high pressure cooking for 12 minutes.
Pressure Release and Serve: When the cooking cycle ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes before performing a quick release. Open the lid, stir the rice gently to combine flavors and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy texture and tender chicken.

Notes

Newer models of Instant Pot might show burn warnings; monitor closely to prevent burning.
Rinsing the jasmine or basmati rice beforehand helps reduce excess starch and prevents clumping.
Adding carrots is optional but enhances nutrition and adds sweetness.
Use fresh lemon juice for the best citrus flavor.
Natural pressure release improves the texture of the rice and chicken.