Description
This healthy Instant Pot chicken and rice recipe is made with hearty vegetables, juicy chicken, and fresh lemon flavor. It’s a quick and easy one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth, divided
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup carrot, diced
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 1½ cups uncooked white rice, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Generously season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Set aside.
- Press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot and heat the olive oil.
- Sear chicken for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until browned. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Deglaze the pot with ¼ cup chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom.
- Add diced onion and carrot. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until slightly softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Press Cancel.
- Add the remaining chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, peas, rice, and parsley. Stir to combine.
- Place the seared chicken on top of the rice mixture. Do not stir.
- Close and seal the Instant Pot lid. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 7 minutes.
- Allow a Natural Release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid and shred the chicken using two forks. Stir to combine with the rice mixture.
- Garnish with additional parsley, cracked black pepper, and lemon wedges if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Be sure to rinse the rice thoroughly to prevent sticking or a gummy texture.
- Chicken breasts or thighs both work well; thighs are juicier, while breasts are leaner.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
- You can substitute brown rice, but cooking time and liquid ratios will need to be adjusted accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 632
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
