Creamy Chicken and Rice

A simple, comforting dinner made with tender chicken thighs, fluffy rice and a handful of everyday vegetables. Everything cooks in the same pot, making it particularly useful on evenings when both time and energy are in short supply.

Creamy Chicken and Rice

Servings 4 people

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 minutes mins

Resting time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 24 minutes mins

Equipment

• 1 Instant pot
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 Citrus zester

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces finely chopped
• 1 small yellow onion
• 2 medium carrots diced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1½ cup long-grain white rice rinsed and well drained
• 1¾ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup frozen peas
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan or cheddar optional
• 1 tbsp lemon juice optional

Instructions

• Select the Sauté setting on the Instant Pot. Add the olive oil and cook the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. It does not need to be cooked through. Transfer it to a plate.
• Add the onion and carrots to the pot. Cook for 3 minutes, then add the garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds.
• Pour in a small splash of the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot thoroughly to loosen any browned bits. This step helps prevent the Burn warning.
• Turn off the Sauté setting. Return the chicken to the pot and spread the rinsed rice evenly over the top. Pour in the remaining broth, but do not stir.
• Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
• Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure.
• Open the lid and gently fluff the rice. Stir in the frozen peas, cream and Parmesan. Replace the lid without sealing it and let the dish rest for 3 to 5 minutes, until the peas are warm and the sauce has thickened.
• Add the lemon juice, if using, then taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

Notes

A few useful notes

Use regular long-grain white rice rather than instant rice or brown rice, as they require different quantities of liquid and different cooking times.

The mixture may look slightly loose when you first open the lid. It will become creamier as the rice rests and absorbs the remaining liquid.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, French

Keyword: Quick Meal, Warm

Make it more affordable

Chicken thighs are particularly well suited to pressure cooking and are generally less expensive and more forgiving than chicken breasts. The Parmesan can also be omitted: the cream alone will still produce a soft, comforting finish.

Storing leftovers

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, add a small splash of broth, milk or water to loosen the rice.

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @thesmallplenty on Instagram and hashtag it #thesmallplenty.