Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is delicious one pot meal with chicken breasts or chicken thighs, white rice or brown rice and vegetables. It is ideal for busy nights!
On Instant Pot, press Sauté and let appliance preheat a few minutes until display says Hot.
Add olive oil, onion and garlic; sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press Cancel and add thyme, oregano and cumin; cook another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
Add remaining ingredients in the following order: chicken, carrots, rice, water, salt, pepper and bay leaves. Do not stir.
Close the lid, set pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cook on High or Manual: white rice - 10 minutes, brown rice - 22 minutes.
Display will say ON, Instant Pot will take about 15-20 minutes to come to pressure, you will see a bit of steam coming out from a valve, then float valve will rise and countdown will begin.
When display says OFF, release the pressure using Quick Release method by turning pressure valve to Venting position, which takes 2-3 minutes. Then open the lid.
Add dill or parsley, gently stir and serve hot.
Video
Notes
Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat with a splash of water or broth breaking into pieces and stirring in a pot. Use lid to steam it through.
Freeze: Fully cook, cool completely and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
*If using chicken thighs or cut up chicken pieces, add a bit less water ( 3 2/3 cups total) because thighs are fattier and add to the liquid content during cooking.
**Less rice: I use 3 cups of rice per 2 lbs of chicken for a few reasons, to stretch the meal and to eat less meat. If you prefer less rice, reduce rice to 2 cups, water to 2 1/2 cups and salt to 1 teaspoon.
Frozen chicken: Use only with brown rice because of longer cook time. Make sure pieces are separated. Instant Pot will take 5-10 minutes longer to come to pressure with but keep same cook time.
If your rice comes out crunchy: Stir, close the lid and let it sit for 20 minutes. It will get there. Also try to add a few more minutes to cooking time next time.
If your rice comes out mushy: Cook a few minutes less next time.