Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice recipe is a comforting, one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are cooked with rice, mixed vegetables, and rich cheddar cheese in a creamy sauce, all made quickly and easily using the Instant Pot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
Rice and Liquids
- 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Dairy and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add olive oil, then the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the onion is translucent.
- Brown Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot along with salt and black pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides.
- Add Rice, Broth, and Vegetables: Pour in the rinsed rice, low-sodium chicken broth, and frozen mixed vegetables. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: Open the lid and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the creamy chicken and rice hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice before cooking helps remove excess starch and prevents it from becoming too sticky.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control salt levels in the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt (add after cooking to prevent curdling).
- Feel free to add fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme for extra flavor when serving.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can sauté the mixture a few extra minutes after adding the cream and cheese to reduce excess liquid.
Keywords: Instant Pot chicken recipe, creamy chicken and rice, easy one pot meals, pressure cooker dinner, comfort food
