Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Updated on 07/9/21
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg 
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 13 mins
Pressure Build/Release: 15 mins
Total: 38 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 1 Instant Pot
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
347 Calories
16g Fat
22g Carbs
31g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 347
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 139mg 46%
Sodium 1051mg 46%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 64mg 319%
Calcium 50mg 4%
Iron 3mg 14%
Potassium 587mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

A hearty meal is ready to serve in a snap with this easy recipe for chicken thighs and rice. This dish is great for busy weeknights because the chicken and rice are cooked simultaneously in the Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. Serve it with a tossed salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

When transitioning from the sauté mode on an electric pressure cooker to the pressure cook mode, there is a risk of scorching and triggering a "food burn" alert from the appliance. This is more common in the most recent models. To avoid this, remove the pressure cooker pot and place on a cooling rack for a few minutes between sautéing the vegetables and pressure cooking the meat. This allows the temperature to cool slightly between functions.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 cup chopped red bell pepper

  • 1 cup chopped onion

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice

  • 3/4 cup chicken broth

  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • Italian flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice ingredients

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  2. Heat the oil on sauté mode in an electronic pressure cooker. Add the bell pepper, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.

    Onion, bell pepper, and spices in the Instant Pot

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  3. Stir in the rice, chicken broth, and tomato sauce.

    Rice and broth and tomato sauce added to Instant Pot

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  4. Season the chicken with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

    Chicken Thighs seasoned on a plate

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  5. Nestle the chicken in the pressure cooker.

    Chicken Thighs added to Instant Pot

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  6. Close and lock the lid. Cook at high pressure for 8 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure cooker to release naturally for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes release the remaining pressure manually.

    Locked lid on an Instant Pot

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

  7. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

    Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice in the pot

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni & Eric Kleinberg

Can You Cook Rice and Meat at the Same Time in Instant Pot?

Yes, absolutely. The Instant Pot is a great way to cook your protein and side dish at the same time. You just need to make sure there is enough liquid in the pot to cook the rice and keep it from scorching the bottom of the pot.

Can You Stack Chicken Thighs in an Instant Pot?

Yes, if your chicken thighs are large, they can overlap or stack in the Instant Pot. Just make sure there is enough liquid in the pot to avoid scorching.

Can I Put Raw Chicken in Instant Pot?

Yes, if the chicken (as well as other raw meat) cooks at high pressure for the proper amount of time, it will be fully cooked. We suggest following a trusty recipe and always check the internal temperature before consuming.