Instant pot chicken thighs and rice. Easy one-pot instant pot recipe the whole family would love. Weeknight dinner just got easy and quick with this easy instant pot rice recipe. It is flavourful and uses pantry staple ingredients. The boned in chicken thigh falls right off the bone and the rice buttery, tender and fluffy.
Instant pot chicken thighs and rice recipe
I already have a pressure cooker rice and chicken on the blog but it uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Today’s recipe, I am sharing with you how to perfectly cook bone-in chicken thighs with rice in your instant pot without the rice turning mushy or the chicken overcooked.
You can also use chicken legs for this recipe. Chicken legs or quarter is a combination of thighs and the drumstick.
If you follow this recipe to the letter, you won’t get the almighty BURN notice, a big statement but it is the truth and that is why I made a video just to show you how easy it is. I can’t deny I have had a few shares of BURN notices when using my 6qt Instant pot Duo but one thing I didn’t do is fret.
I just believe the new instant pot has a mind of its own and it sometimes doesn’t like tomatoes. There you have it, this recipe didn’t use tomatoes, so no cause for alarm.
Related post: If you don't own a pressure cooker but you would still love to make this recipe, check out my one-pot chicken and rice recipe.
Avoid instant pot burn warning on rice recipes
One secret to cooking perfect meal in the instant pot without the BURN scare is to make sure you deglaze the pan thoroughly. Sometimes, you might even need to wash the pan before you continue cooking or let the pan cool a bit.
Not all BURN notice need a panic response, sometimes, we just need to chill and see how it pans out.
If you are cooking rice in your instant pot and you get a burn notice halfway through the cooking process, just turn it off and let it come to release its pressure naturally. You can be assured that the rice would come out fluffy and well done.
Note: only do this with rice recipes that you are not cooking with other protein like chicken or beef tips.
What you will need to make this recipe
To make this simple instant pot rice and chicken recipe, you would need the following Ingredients
Skinless bone in chicken thighs: I bought chicken thighs with skin and removed the skin myself
Uncooked rice: I used golden Sella basmati rice which cooks like long grain rice. You can also use pure basmati rice for this recipe. You do not need to soak the rice before cooking it.
Stock: I used chicken stock but feel free to use any type of stock of choice, beef or vegetables.
Herb de Provence: substitute this with Italian seasoning or any other herbs of choice
Paprika
Ginger and garlic paste
Salt and black pepper
Onion
Butter
Vegetable oil
How to make instant pot chicken thighs and rice
Season the skinless chicken thighs with salt, black pepper and smoked paprika. Mix to combine and set aside.
Turn on the instant pot and select the Sauté button on normal heat. Saute the onions in butter and vegetable oil until soft.
Stir in the garlic and ginger paste then add the seasoned chicken thighs to the pot and leave undisturbed to brown for 3 minutes, flip the side of the chicken and brown for another 3 minutes.
Take out the chicken thighs from the pot and set aside.
Add 2 cups of broth to the pot and deglaze the bottom of the pan thoroughly. This step is crucial in order to avoid getting a BURN notice.
Add washed rice to the pot, a cup of broth and stir to combine. Add herd de province, salt to taste (optional) don't mix. Place the chicken on top of the rice and securely cover the instant pot.
Select manual or pressure cook and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. When the cooking cycle is completed allow the pot to come to natural pressure for 10 minutes then carefully do a quick release.
Open the pot, add the chopped chives and stir to combine. Leave the rice to stand covered for another minute or two. Fluff the rice and serve.
How to serve
Serve this instant pot chicken thighs and rice as it is or with a side of coleslaw, cucumber salad or brown sugar-glazed carrots.
How to store
You can store this recipe in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure that it is completely cooled and store in an airtight container.
Other easy instant pot recipes
Instant pot macaroni and cheese
If you made this easy instant pot meatballs and sauce recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 cups basmati rice I used golden Sella basmati rice which cooks like long grain rice. You can also use pure basmati rice for this recipe. You do not need to soak the rice before cooking it.
- 3 cups chicken stock
- ½ tablespoon herb de provence substitute this with Italian seasoning or any other herbs of choice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon ginger
- ½ tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small onion
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoon chopped chives substitute with chopped spring onions
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper and paprika. Mix to combine and set aside.
- Turn on the instant pot and select the Sauté button on normal heat. Sauté the onions in butter and vegetable oil until soft.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger paste then add the seasoned chicken thighs to the pot and leave undisturbed to brown for 3 minutes, flip the side of the chicken and brown for another 3 minutes.
- Take out the chicken thighs from the pot and set aside.
- Add 2 cups of broth to the pot and deglaze the bottom of the pan thoroughly. This step is crucial in order to avoid getting a BURN notice.
- Add washed rice to the pot, a cup of broth and stir to combine. Add herd de province, salt to taste (optional) don't mix. Place the chicken on top of the rice and securely cover the instant pot.
- Select manual or pressure cook and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. When the cooking cycle is completed allow the pot to come to natural pressure for 10 minutes then carefully do a quick release.
- Open the pot, add the chopped chives and stir to combine. Leave the rice to stand covered for another minute or two. Fluff the rice and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE RATE IT AND LEAVE ME A COMMENT. USE #THEDINNERBITE OR TAG @THEDINNERBITE ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SEE YOUR PHOTOS, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS. THANK YOU!
Teresa says
Is it possible to make this with broccoli and cauliflower rice? How long would I cook it?
Ajoke says
Hello Teresa, I don't recommend cooking broccoli and cauliflower rice in the instant pot. It will become mushy. However, you can cook the chicken in the instant pot as stated in the recipe. Add the cauliflower rice when the chicken is cooked and saute for 3-4 minutes or how long you usually cook it for.
Angela H Ferguson says
I altered the recipe due to a lack of onions, garlic paste, and ginger, and moved forward with all other ingredients. This recipe was quick, easy, and has lots of flavor. My family really enjoyed it! Next time I will use onions (as I love onions) and maybe garlic paste.
Josh says
I love this recipe but I cook for 1, so if I cut the recipe in half would the cook time stay the same?
Ajoke says
Yes, Josh, the cooking time will remain the same.
Hannah says
This was fantastic!
I had to tweak a bit for on hand items, this recipe is super flexible with perfect cook time instructions.
I only had 4 Tyson bone in skin on thighs and the cook time remains the same.
I used frozen onion, celery, bell pepper blend, which took cooking a little longer but i like soft veggies to keep my kids and husband from picking them out as easy >:D i will be adding fresh spinach next time and see how that does.
I will absolutely be making this a regular item in our home.
Veronica says
My husband loved it and went back for more! Such good flavor and I loved the texture of the basmati rice. Amazing!!!
Ajoke says
Yay, I am so glad to hear that. Thank you for the feedback, Veronica.
Lillian H. says
I am new to using my Instant Pot but every time I use it, I find myself searching for my next recipe. I came across this recipe while doing a search, read the reviews and decided to give it a try. I followed the instructions, but added some bite sized pieces of organic broccoli crowns. I couldn’t believe it was done in 6 minutes! It was delicious, the chicken thighs were moist and the rice and broccoli were so good together. Thank you for an awesome recipe and such clear and precise instructions! I am a follower.
Jordan says
Hello! I just made this quick, easy recipe for lunch and it was so delicious! My Moroccan husband was so excited! I can't wait to try it again with different vegetable combinations. I am so happy to add a recipe to my rotation. Thanks for sharing <3
Gregg H says
Excellent quick rice and chicken meal with great flavor!
Diane says
Can I use long grain white rice, also same time? Going to make tomorrow. Thx
Phuong Hoang says
Hi! I plan on making these tomorrow. Could I cook this with mushroom? If so, should I cut them into bite-sized pieces? And when should I add them? Should I season them?
Ajoke says
Hello, you can definitely add mushrooms to this recipe. Cut them into bite sizes, season them, and cook them with rice and chicken. You can reserve some of the sauteed mushrooms if desired and add them to the rice after it is cooked.
Lacey says
This was absolutely fantastic and one of the easiest recipes I have come across for Chicken & Rice. The only irritant I have is that there is NO WAY you can make this dish, start to finish, in 21 minutes. My InstaPot takes 15-20 minutes to reach desired temperature and pressure. With that and the release time (and YOU are far better than I am in prep time), this is an hour a best. I do wish you fine chefs would show more accurate total times in your InstaPot recipes.
That said, however, this is a great meal and one that I will make often. Thank you.
Jenn nartin says
How much longer does jasmine rice take
Jenn martin
Ajoke says
Cook jasmine rice for 4 minutes as it cooks faster than golden sella basmati rice.
Mallory says
This was so good!!!! I normally don’t go out of my way to write reviews about recipes but for this one I had to. I have tried so many different chicken and rice recipes and they always turn out mediocre. This recipe was perfect and it still turned out great even though I cut the recipe in half. The chicken was tender and seasoned perfectly and the rice was fluffy. I paired with some sautéed onions and zucchini and went back for seconds. Saving to make again!
Ajoke says
Aw, thank you Mallory for your kind feedback, I really appreciate it. I am glad you enjoyed it, Thank you!!!