Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice is a truly sensational, cheesy pressure cooker casserole that promises to become a favorite in your household. This incredible one-pot meal is not only delicious but also remarkably versatile, adapting beautifully to various proteins like ham or sausage if you prefer a different twist. Inspired by the classic Instant Pot chicken and rice dish, this recipe elevates it with the addition of fresh broccoli and a generous amount of cheese, making it a complete and satisfying dinner.
The beauty of this one-pot wonder lies in its adaptability. While chicken is a fantastic choice, feel free to substitute with diced ham or even turkey, especially when utilizing holiday leftovers. If green vegetables aren’t a family favorite, you can easily omit the broccoli, though we highly recommend it for its nutritional value and complementary texture. This recipe truly embodies why we adore Instant Pot recipes – they transform simple ingredients into a tender, flavorful meal with minimal effort.
For those who follow The Typical Mom blog, you’re likely familiar with our deep appreciation for Instant Pot casseroles. These are the kind of “throw-what-you-have-in-the-fridge-into-the-pot” meals that consistently deliver comforting and delicious results. This particular dish perfectly fits that philosophy, offering a creative way to use up ingredients and reduce food waste without compromising on taste.
You can effortlessly prepare this delightful casserole in any brand of electric pressure cooker you own. Whether it’s a Crockpot Express, a Ninja Foodi (using its pressure cooking lid), or a traditional Instant Pot, the results will be equally fantastic. As long as your appliance features both a “sauté” or “brown” function and a “high pressure” setting, you’re all set to create this amazing dish.
Like many of the best culinary creations, this recipe originated somewhat by accident. Much like our popular Instant Pot enchilada rice, it began with a desire to transform leftover ingredients into something new and exciting. One evening, after making our original Instant Pot chicken and rice, I decided to experiment with leftover ham. The following week, I used shredded rotisserie chicken breasts. Both versions were incredibly successful and met with rave reviews, prompting us to share this versatile recipe with all of you.
The key to success with this recipe, especially regarding the protein, is using pre-cooked meat. This allows for quick assembly and ensures everything finishes cooking at the same time. If you prefer to use fresh, uncooked meat, simply sauté it with your onions at the beginning of the process until it’s no longer pink. This extra step guarantees your meat is perfectly cooked and adds an additional layer of flavor to the dish.
Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Cheesy Pressure Cooker Rice
Crafting the perfect Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice starts with understanding each ingredient’s role. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is important:
- Protein Power: For the meat, we highly recommend using diced chicken or other pre-cooked options. This is where leftovers shine! A shredded rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked diced chicken breasts or thighs work wonderfully. If you’re starting with fresh, uncooked chicken, dice it into bite-sized pieces and sauté it with onions and a bit of olive oil until it’s no longer pink before adding other ingredients. This initial sauté step builds a crucial flavor base.
- The Perfect Grain: Our recipe calls for uncooked white rice. It’s important to use regular white rice, not instant or minute rice. Instant rice cooks much faster and will turn mushy if subjected to the pressure cooking time specified for this recipe. Rinsing your rice before adding it to the pot can also help achieve a fluffier texture and prevent excess starch from sticking.
- Flavorful Liquid Base: For the liquid, always opt for chicken broth over plain water. The broth infuses the entire dish with a rich, savory depth that water simply cannot provide. This small swap makes a big difference in the overall flavor profile of your casserole.
- Vibrant Veggies: Fresh broccoli florets are key for that classic chicken and broccoli rice combination. We prefer to cut them into small, bite-sized pieces. If you desire very soft broccoli that practically melts into the dish, chop it extra fine. For a tender-crisp texture, add it as directed in the recipe after the pressure cooking cycle.
- The Cheesy Factor: A generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese is what makes this dish so irresistibly creamy and comforting. We love to incorporate it into the mix and then melt a final layer on top once pressure cooking is complete. For those with dietary restrictions, excellent dairy-free alternatives, such as Daiya brand cheese, can be used. Experiment with sharp cheddar for a bold flavor or a milder cheddar for a more subtle cheese taste.
- Seasoning Simplicity: To enhance the natural flavors, we typically stick to a simple yet effective combination of salt and pepper. Remember to season to taste, adding a little at a time. Minced garlic is another essential that adds aromatic depth. You can use fresh minced garlic or pre-minced for convenience.
Cooking with Frozen Chicken in Your Instant Pot
If your pantry only holds frozen chicken, don’t fret! You can absolutely make this recipe. The key is to pre-cook the frozen chicken before incorporating it into the rice dish. You would first need to follow specific instructions, such as those for making frozen chicken thighs in the Instant Pot or a similar guide for frozen chicken breasts. Once the chicken is cooked, dice or shred it as required, and then you can seamlessly integrate it into this recipe, skipping the initial sauté step for the chicken itself.
Versatile Variations and Creative Substitutions
One of the greatest joys of cooking with an Instant Pot, especially for casseroles, is the freedom to experiment with ingredients. This recipe is incredibly forgiving and encourages customization based on your preferences and what you have on hand. It’s truly a “use what you’ve got” kind of meal, a culinary philosophy passed down through generations, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
- Beyond Chicken: As mentioned, adding leftover ham, diced into small pieces, is a fantastic alternative to chicken. The savory notes of ham complement the cheesy rice beautifully. After the holidays, if you find yourself with leftover turkey, that’s another excellent substitute. Diced sausage links, particularly those with bold flavors, also work wonderfully. For a touch of heat, try andouille sausage, or opt for kielbasa for a milder, savory profile. Since these are often pre-cooked and packed with flavor, they simplify the cooking process even further. We highly recommend trying a batch with sausage to discover your favorite!
- Seasoning Your Way: The seasonings in this dish are entirely up to your personal taste. Beyond salt and pepper, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or even a dash of paprika for extra depth. If your chosen meat already contains a fair amount of sodium, be mindful when adding salt to avoid over-seasoning. Always taste and adjust as you go.
- Cheese, Please!: While sharp cheddar is a favorite around here, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. A blend of cheddar and spicy jack could add an exciting kick, or use Monterey Jack for a milder, meltier texture. If you need this dish to be dairy-free, simply omit the cheese and sour cream, or use plant-based alternatives. The core flavors of chicken, broccoli, and rice remain delicious even without dairy.
Achieving Instant Pot Perfection: Tips for Success
To ensure your Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice turns out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tips in mind:
- Vegetable Versatility: While broccoli is the star here, don’t hesitate to add other quick-cooking vegetables if you want to boost the nutritional content. Fresh corn kernels cut from the cob or a handful of peas added at the end would be excellent choices. Remember to consider the cooking time of any additional vegetables; some might benefit from being blanched slightly before adding to the pot during the “keep warm” cycle. For more on cooking vegetables in your Instant Pot, check out our guide on Instant Pot steamed vegetables.
- Flavorful Liquid is Key: We cannot stress enough the importance of using chicken broth instead of water. It’s the foundation of a rich and savory flavor profile for your rice and the entire dish.
- No Stirring Rule: When adding the rice after the broth, sprinkle it in evenly but resist the urge to stir. Stirring rice with other ingredients can lead to a “BURN” notice on your Instant Pot because the rice settles at the bottom and can scorch. Layers are your friend!
- Deglazing the Pot: After sautéing your onions and any raw meat, make sure to “deglaze” the pot before pressure cooking. This means adding a splash of broth and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. This prevents the “BURN” error and incorporates those delicious caramelized flavors.
- Quick Release vs. Natural Release: For this recipe, a quick release of pressure is used after the cook time. This stops the cooking process immediately, preventing the rice from becoming overcooked and mushy.
Can You Use Frozen Broccoli in This Recipe?
While I haven’t personally tested this recipe with frozen vegetables, I believe it could work with some adjustments. If you choose to use frozen broccoli, I would highly recommend allowing it to defrost completely first. After defrosting, ensure you drain any excess liquid from the broccoli florets thoroughly. If you don’t, you’ll introduce additional moisture into the pot, which could lead to a mushy rice consistency. Alternatively, you could blanch the defrosted and drained frozen broccoli for a minute or two before adding it to the cooked rice, similar to how you would treat fresh broccoli for extra tenderness.
The type of chicken you use offers great flexibility. I’ve successfully used various forms, especially when looking to use up leftovers. Canned, drained, and already-cooked chicken is also a convenient option. For those starting with raw chicken, boneless, skinless diced chicken breasts or chicken thighs are ideal. Remember, if starting with raw chicken, you’ll need to utilize the sauté function to cook it through before adding the broth and rice to the pot.
Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Recipe
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Equipment
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1 pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 2 cup chicken, or ham, precooked and diced
- 1.5 cup rice, white
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 4 cup chicken broth
- 4 cup broccoli, florets
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 pinch salt and pepper , to taste
- 2 1/4 cup cheese, shredded cheddar
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Instructions
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Set your pressure cooker to “Sauté” mode. Add the butter and diced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and become translucent, which typically takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic for the last minute of cooking to release its fragrance. Once complete, cancel the sauté mode.
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Pour in the chicken broth and add salt to taste, then stir gently to combine and deglaze the bottom of the pot. Carefully sprinkle the white rice evenly into the pot over the liquid. Important: Do not stir the rice at this stage, as it can cause a “BURN” error during pressure cooking.
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Secure the lid on your electric pressure cooker and ensure the steam release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Set the pressure cooker to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully turning the valve to “Venting.”
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Once all the pressure has been released, carefully remove the lid. Fluff the cooked rice gently with a fork. Now, stir in the broccoli florets and your pre-cooked, diced chicken or ham. For exceptionally tender broccoli, you can blanch it for about 1 minute beforehand, then add it already tender. Place the lid back on (without sealing) and allow the Instant Pot to switch to its “Keep Warm” function. Let it sit for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until the broccoli reaches your desired tenderness.
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After the broccoli has softened, stir in the sour cream and 1 ¾ cups of shredded cheddar cheese into the rice mixture until well combined and creamy. Top the casserole with the remaining cheddar cheese. Place the lid over the pressure cooker once more (again, without sealing) just long enough for the cheese to melt beautifully and any remaining liquid to be absorbed, usually about 5 minutes.
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Finally, fluff the cheesy chicken and broccoli rice with a fork one last time, then serve immediately and enjoy your comforting, one-pot masterpiece!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Absolutely, yes! Our Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice recipe is a prime example of how you can cook both rice and meat simultaneously in your pressure cooker. The trick is to use pre-cooked, diced meat (like chicken or ham) and layer your ingredients properly to prevent scorching. This method makes for incredibly efficient one-pot meals, allowing all the flavors to meld together seamlessly, much like a traditional casserole.
Cooking chicken in the Instant Pot is incredibly easy and versatile. If you’re preparing a whole chicken, typically you’ll need a trivet and some chicken broth, which allows the chicken to steam while cooking. For recipes like this cheesy rice casserole, where the chicken is incorporated with other ingredients, we recommend using pre-cooked and diced chicken. If starting with raw chicken, you’ll first use the sauté function to brown the exterior of the diced chicken pieces with onions. This ensures the chicken is cooked through and adds a delicious depth of flavor before the pressure cooking cycle begins.
Yes, you can certainly cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot! It’s a fantastic feature for busy weeknights. However, for a dish like Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice, where the chicken needs to be diced and mixed with rice, it’s best to pre-cook the frozen chicken separately first. You can follow our specific instructions for cooking frozen chicken in the Instant Pot. Once cooked, simply drain any liquid, dice or shred the chicken, and then add it to this broccoli rice dish as directed in the recipe. This two-step approach ensures proper cooking and texture for your casserole.
Other Irresistible Instant Pot Dinners You’ll Love
If you’re as smitten with the convenience and deliciousness of Instant Pot meals as we are, you’re in luck! We have an abundance of family-friendly recipes designed to simplify your dinner routine without sacrificing flavor. If you enjoyed this chicken and broccoli rice, you’ll definitely want to explore these similar crowd-pleasers. Check out our comforting Instant Pot Chili Mac, a hearty and cheesy pasta dish that’s always a hit. Or, for a quick and flavorful option, try our incredibly easy 5-ingredient Instant Pot Chili. Both are perfect examples of how the Instant Pot can bring delicious, wholesome meals to your table with minimal fuss.
