Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add more flavor and stay incredibly moist. They have slightly more fat, which makes the dish even richer. Use boneless, skinless thighs and follow the same cooking time.

Why did my Instant Pot display a burn notice?

This usually happens if the bottom wasn't properly deglazed after searing the chicken. Make sure to scrape thoroughly in a back-and-forth motion and ensure the rice is submerged in liquid, not sitting on stuck-on bits.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version of this Creamy Chicken Rice Instant Pot. The flavor will have a subtle coconut note that's actually quite delicious. Skip the butter and use olive oil instead.

Easy Creamy Chicken Rice Instant Pot Recipe (One-Pot Comfort Meal)

Name: Creamy Chicken Rice Instant Pot
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-3 pieces if large (thighs work for extra richness); 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed until water runs clear (brown rice needs 20-22 minutes); 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth); 1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half or coconut milk for alternatives); 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 cup frozen peas and carrots; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil); 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste); 1 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste); Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Creamy Chicken Rice Instant Pot

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Comforting one-pot meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and rich cream sauce. Beginner-friendly recipe ready in 35 minutes.

Author: Sarah Mae Carter
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Chicken Pasta & Rice
Method: Pressure Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-3 pieces if large (thighs work for extra richness)
1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed until water runs clear (brown rice needs 20–22 minutes)
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half or coconut milk for alternatives)
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil)
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Press sauté on 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot and melt butter. Add diced onion and minced garlic, stirring for 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Sear in pot for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
Pour rinsed rice over chicken. Add chicken broth and scrape bottom of pot thoroughly in back-and-forth motion to deglaze and prevent burning.
Lock lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Pot will take 8-10 minutes to come to pressure.
When timer beeps, use long utensil to carefully quick release pressure. Remove lid tilting away from you.
Stir in heavy cream and frozen peas and carrots until well combined and vegetables are warmed through, about 2-3 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.

Notes

Rinse rice until water runs clear to remove excess starch and prevent gumminess. Always deglaze pot bottom thoroughly in back-and-forth motion after searing chicken to avoid burn notice.
Brown rice can be substituted but requires 20-22 minutes cooking time and may need extra liquid. Chicken thighs provide richer flavor and stay extra moist.
For dairy-free version, use coconut milk instead of cream and olive oil instead of butter. For more tender chicken, allow 5 minutes natural release before quick release.
Add a splash of broth when reheating leftovers to restore creamy texture. Use 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot for best results.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1.5 cups)
Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 620 mg
Fat: 24 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 135 mg

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/creamy-chicken-rice-instant-pot/