Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Broccoli is a universally loved one-pot meal, perfect for both kids and adults. This ultimate comfort food dinner can be effortlessly prepared in your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Crockpot Express, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.

This Instant Pot cheesy chicken and rice recipe is a consistent hit in our household, promising a delightful and fulfilling pressure cooker dinner every time. By incorporating raw or canned vegetables, you can create a complete, balanced meal in a remarkably short cooking time – often just 10 minutes under pressure!

Irresistible Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

For many, the mention of chicken and rice conjures nostalgic memories of childhood dinners, often featuring a classic condensed cream of chicken soup casserole. Our pressure cooker chicken and rice dish captures that beloved comfort food essence but with a fresh, modern twist. We’ve enhanced it by adding vibrant vegetables and, notably, omitted the condensed soup entirely!

We understand the demand for preparing this popular dish without condensed soup, and this recipe delivers just that. It’s a slightly lighter yet equally flavorful version, packed with protein and wholesome ingredients. The versatility of this recipe means you can easily adapt it for your Ninja Foodi or Crockpot Express, making it a flexible staple in any kitchen.

If you’re new to the world of pressure cooking, rest assured, we have a treasure trove of easy one-pot meal recipes designed for beginners. To help you get started on your culinary journey, here are a few essential tips:

• Make sure to Bookmark our InstaPot recipes page. We consistently add exciting new recipes each week to keep your meal plans fresh and interesting!
• For quick reference, PRINT this Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. It’s an invaluable tool that will demystify the cooking durations for various meats, vegetables, and beans in your pressure cooker.
• Consider investing in a good quality non-stick inner pot for your pressure cooker. While it’s always good to understand how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing, a non-stick pot significantly minimizes food sticking, making cleanup a breeze.

For all our recipe creations, we primarily use a 6-quart Instant Pot model, which proves to be perfectly sized for most family meals.

This recipe is incredibly adaptable, serving as an excellent leftover chicken breast recipe if you have pre-cooked chicken on hand. Whether you opt for fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts or succulent chicken thighs, the key is to cut them into uniform bite-sized pieces. If using raw chicken, a quick sauté at the beginning adds a desirable texture and depth of flavor. For pre-cooked chicken, you can conveniently skip this initial step.

Can You Use Frozen Chicken in This Dish?

While the Instant Pot is great for frozen chicken in certain preparations (like shredded chicken for sandwiches), we generally do not recommend using frozen chicken for this particular cheesy chicken and rice dish. Whole frozen breasts would take considerably longer to cook, potentially leading to overcooked rice or unevenly cooked chicken. To ensure both food safety and optimal texture, dicing your chicken (whether fresh or thawed) into bite-sized pieces is crucial for successful and consistent results in this recipe.

Elevating Flavor with Broccoli and Other Veggies

Adding finely diced vegetables like Instant Pot broccoli or green beans is a fantastic way to boost both nutrition and color in this dish. But don’t stop there! This recipe is a canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with seasonings to truly amp up the flavor profile. A pinch of chili powder or a dash of Sriracha can introduce a pleasant kick, while smoked paprika adds warmth. Use herbs and spices you love to personalize this meal to your family’s taste.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards a delicious meal. Here’s what you’ll need for this Instant Pot cheesy chicken and rice recipe:

1. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and tender results.
2. Chicken Broth: Provides a richer depth of flavor compared to water. You can use half broth and half water if preferred.
3. Long Grain White Rice: Essential for this recipe due to its quicker cooking time and ability to absorb flavors beautifully. Brown rice is not recommended as it requires a much longer cook time, which can lead to overcooked chicken.
4. Diced Onion: A flavorful aromatic base that enhances almost any savory dish.
5. Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the chicken and aromatics, contributing to a rich flavor foundation.
6. Minced Garlic: An indispensable ingredient for its aromatic depth and delicious flavor.
7. Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings to taste, bringing out the best in all ingredients.
8. Cheddar Cheese: The star of the “cheesy” element, providing a creamy, melty finish.

How to Make Chicken and Rice Truly Exciting

Is your chicken and rice feeling a little… bland? Let’s fix that! The first and most obvious suggestion is to load it up with cheese! A generous amount of shredded cheddar or a blend of white and cheddar cheese will transform a simple dish into an irresistible, creamy delight. For an extra layer of flavor, consider using a Mexican cheese blend, perhaps even one with taco seasoning already incorporated – it’s a game-changer!

Another secret to boosting flavor lies in your choice of chicken. Opting for chicken thighs instead of breasts can significantly enhance the richness of the dish. Chicken thighs are naturally more flavorful and moist, and surprisingly, they are often more economical than breasts. If you purchase bone-in thighs and simply remove the bone yourself, you’ll find them to be incredibly inexpensive, almost a butcher’s giveaway!

Cooking Raw Chicken and Rice Together in a Pressure Cooker

Yes, you absolutely can cook raw chicken with rice simultaneously in your pressure cooker, and this recipe demonstrates how! While you have the option to skip the initial sauté step, we highly recommend it. Sautéing the chicken first not only adds a beautiful golden texture to the exterior but also helps to seal in juices, resulting in more moist and flavorful meat. With an 8-minute pressure cooking time, your chicken will reach a safe internal meat temperature without issue.

This particular recipe uses chicken breasts or thighs, white rice, and broccoli, but it’s incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize the seasonings, swap chicken pieces for other proteins, or incorporate different vegetables. When choosing vegetables, select those that cook quickly, such as finely diced bell peppers, peas, or corn. Canned green beans, thoroughly drained, are also a convenient and effective addition. If you’re looking for a meatless option, our Instant Pot cream of mushroom rice recipe offers a delightful alternative.

When it comes to adding vegetables, remember that the smaller you chop the pieces, the more tender they will become. Fresh or frozen corn kernels are another fantastic option. For best results with delicate vegetables like broccoli, we recommend adding them *after* the pressure cooking cycle is complete. Simply stir them in with the shredded cheese, replace the lid, and let the residual heat work its magic. Five minutes is usually sufficient for the cheese to melt into gooey perfection and the broccoli to warm through to your liking, retaining a slight crispness.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Broccoli

Creating this delicious one-pot meal in your Instant Pot is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect cheesy, comforting dish every time:

1. Sauté the Chicken and Aromatics: Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and add olive oil. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside. This step is crucial for developing flavor.
2. Deglaze the Pot: Turn off the “Sauté” function. Pour in a small amount of chicken broth (about 1/4 cup) and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This process, known as deglazing, prevents the “BURN” error and incorporates delicious caramelized flavors into your dish.
3. Add Seasonings and Rice: Sprinkle in your salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings like garlic powder or onion powder for extra depth. Pour in the remaining chicken broth. Carefully sprinkle the uncooked long grain white rice evenly over the liquid. Do NOT stir the rice into the liquid; gently submerge it with a spoon if necessary, ensuring it’s mostly covered but resting on top of the other ingredients.
4. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the vent is sealed. Set it to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on high pressure for 6 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow a Natural Pressure Release (NPR) for 1 minute. This short NPR helps the rice finish cooking evenly and prevents it from becoming gummy.
5. Quick Release and Add Veggies/Cheese: After the 1-minute NPR, carefully perform a Quick Release (QR) by turning the vent to the “Venting” position. Once all the pressure has been released and the float valve drops, open the lid. Immediately add your small diced broccoli florets and shredded cheddar cheese on top of the hot chicken and rice.
6. Melt and Serve: Gently fluff and fold all the ingredients together until well combined and the cheese starts to melt. Place the lid back on the pot (without sealing it) and let it rest for another 5 minutes. This allows the residual heat to fully melt the cheese into a creamy sauce and gently warm the broccoli to your preferred tenderness.

It’s important to note that Instant Pot brown rice requires a significantly longer cooking time than white rice, so it cannot be directly substituted in this recipe without adjusting cook times for both the rice and chicken. To add an extra touch of indulgence, consider reserving about 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to sprinkle on top of each serving. Pressure cooking is a truly revolutionary method for preparing meat, consistently delivering incredibly tender protein in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.

While we also enjoy our slow cooker cheesy chicken and rice, which takes an entire day to cook, we honestly find that the Instant Pot version yields superior results. Pressure cooking is particularly excellent for rice, ensuring it’s cooked to perfection with a pleasant “bite,” rather than becoming overly soft from sitting in a pot for hours. This method preserves the ideal texture and integrity of the rice, making every spoonful a delight.

This dish is so complete and satisfying, it truly stands alone as a meal. With protein, starch, and vegetables all in one pot, you might only consider adding a simple side like warm garlic rolls or a crisp side salad to round it out. From start to finish, including the time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure, you can expect this delicious meal to be ready in approximately 20-25 minutes, making it an excellent choice for any busy schedule.

Tips for Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Properly storing and reheating your Instant Pot cheesy chicken and rice leftovers ensures you can enjoy them for days to come. Allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep well for 3-4 days.

When reheating Ninja Foodi white rice or any rice-based dish, you might notice it tends to dry out in the refrigerator. To revive it, add a splash of chicken broth, water, or even a touch of soy sauce before reheating. Heat in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring frequently, until thoroughly warmed. For a crisper texture, especially for the chicken, consider reheating portions in an air fryer:

• Reheating chicken in an air fryer works beautifully. Place your leftover chicken and rice in an oven-safe dish or directly in the air fryer basket (if suitable). Add a tablespoon or two of broth or water to the bottom of the dish to create some steam. Heat at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until hot and slightly crisped, shaking or stirring halfway through.
• For microwave reheating, add a few tablespoons of liquid (broth or water) over the dish. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until heated through. This helps rehydrate the rice and keeps the chicken moist.

Cheesy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

By
Justine

This Instant Pot cheesy chicken and rice with broccoli is a fantastic one-pot meal that both kids and adults adore. It’s the ultimate comfort food for dinner, easily prepared in your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or Crockpot Express.

Prep Time:
10 mins

Cook Time:
6 mins

Servings:
5

Equipment

• 1 pressure cooker

Ingredients

• 3 medium chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-size chunks (or use chicken thighs)
• 3/4 c onion, diced
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 c chicken broth
• 1.5 c white rice, long grain variety
• 1 c broccoli, small fresh or frozen florets, finely diced
• 1 c cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

• Set your pressure cooker to the “Sauté” function and add olive oil. Add the diced chicken, minced garlic, and diced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside. This step enhances flavor and texture.
• Turn off the “Sauté” function. Pour in a small amount of chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, ensuring a clean cooking surface (deglazing).
• Sprinkle in the salt and pepper, along with any other desired seasonings. Pour in the remaining chicken broth. Gently sprinkle the uncooked long grain white rice over the liquid. Do not stir. Lightly submerge the rice into the broth with a spoon, ensuring it’s mostly covered.
• Secure the lid and set the pressure cooker to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on high pressure for 6 minutes. Once cooking is complete, allow for a 1-minute Natural Pressure Release (NPR), then perform a Quick Release (QR) for any remaining pressure.
• Carefully lift the lid. Add the small diced broccoli florets and shredded cheddar cheese on top of the hot chicken and rice. Gently fluff and fold all ingredients together until well combined.
• Place the lid back on the pot (without sealing it) and let the dish rest for 5 minutes. This allows the cheese to fully melt into a creamy consistency and the broccoli to warm through to your liking, maintaining a slight crunch.

Nutrition

Serving:
2oz

,

Calories:
518kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
49g

,

Protein:
40g

,

Fat:
17g

,

Saturated Fat:
6g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
7g

,

Trans Fat:
1g

,

Cholesterol:
111mg

,

Sodium:
884mg

,

Potassium:
757mg

,

Fiber:
2g

,

Sugar:
2g

,

Vitamin A:
383IU

,

Vitamin C:
26mg

,

Calcium:
206mg

,

Iron:
2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Entree, Main Course

Cuisine:
American

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