This Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice recipe is the ultimate one-pot dinner that combines tender, juicy chicken with buttery, seasoned rice. It’s an easy dinner option that is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hands-off, healthy meal that’s still full of flavor.
Ideal for family meals, this recipe is gluten-free and fits well into your collection of chicken thigh recipes and pressure cooker recipes. Enjoy a comforting dish that simplifies your cooking routine.
Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
This dish brings together tender chicken thighs and fluffy rice, all cooked in one pot for a hassle-free meal.
With the Instant Pot, you can achieve perfectly cooked chicken and rice in about 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
The combination of savory spices and the natural flavors of the chicken creates a comforting dish that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients That Shine
The key to this delightful meal lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients.
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs provide rich taste and moisture, while long-grain white rice absorbs all the delicious juices during cooking.
A few aromatics like onion and garlic, along with chicken broth, paprika, and thyme, elevate the dish, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
Cooking Process Made Simple
Using the Instant Pot is a game changer for preparing this chicken and rice dish.
Start by sautéing the chicken thighs to achieve a golden brown skin, which adds depth to the overall flavor.
Next, the onions and garlic are cooked until softened, creating a fragrant base for the rice.
Once the rice is added along with the broth and seasonings, the chicken is placed on top, allowing it to steam perfectly while the rice cooks.
This method ensures that the chicken remains juicy and the rice is fluffy, making it a satisfying meal.
Serving Suggestions
After cooking, the chicken is removed, and the rice is fluffed to create a beautiful presentation.
Serving the chicken over the rice not only looks appealing but also allows the flavors to meld together on the plate.
A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness, enhancing the dish’s overall appeal.
Perfect for Family Meals
This Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice recipe is a fantastic option for family dinners.
With its gluten-free profile and comforting flavors, it caters to various dietary preferences while still being a crowd-pleaser.
The one-pot nature of this recipe means less cleanup, allowing more time to enjoy the meal with loved ones.
Why Choose Instant Pot Recipes?
Instant Pot recipes, like this chicken and rice dish, simplify meal preparation without sacrificing taste.
They are designed to save time and effort, making them perfect for those hectic weeknights when you still want a wholesome dinner.
This recipe exemplifies how easy dinners can be both delicious and satisfying, proving that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.
Easy One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe
This dish features chicken thighs cooked to perfection alongside flavorful rice, all in one pot. The recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and serves 4 people, making it a great choice for weeknight dinner ideas.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add olive oil and sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for about 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add Rice and Broth: Stir in the rinsed rice, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and mix well.
- Pressure Cook: Place the seared chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on ‘Manual’ high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Release Pressure: Once cooking is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Serve: Carefully remove the chicken and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the chicken over the rice, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 400kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 30g