Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Casserole that makes such a delicious and easy dinner recipe. A totally from scratch recipe with added instructions to cut corners and make it a little easier for your busy weeknights!
Want to make this recipe in the crock pot? CLICK HERE.
Okay! We are carrying on with my quest to bring you guys all the easy dinners this fall. Because is anyone else’s family on the struggle bus with their new fall schedules? Ours is kicking us. Like really kicking us. So this easy dinner business is a must.
When I have asked what people want in their easy dinners, I’ve heard more Instant Pot recipes! I totally hear that. I make my Instant Pot Chicken Tacos all the time because once I start up the Instant Pot I can help the kids with the homework or do some dishes that have piled up. I can’t get enough easy Instant Pot chicken recipes.
This one is a little different in that we make Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (click that to get the full tutorial) while the recipe cooks so that this recipe can be totally from scratch and we can control the flavors a little. BUT! There is going to be a box at the bottom to show you how to make this recipe much easier and we will take out that step.
Because sometimes I like everything from scratch and sometimes I like things to be as easy as possible.
Should we jump right in?
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
I took some step by step photos of this guy for you. But this is the gist of it:
- Saute your vegetables right in your instant pot (let’s not dirty more dishes than necessary).
- Add in (in this order) chicken stock, rice, and chicken.
- Let the Instant Pot do it’s job.
- While it does, make the Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup. Or don’t! Open a can.
- When it is done cooking, cut up your chicken, throw in the condensed soup, and add in some frozen peas.
It’s a really easy meal that is warming, comforting, and delicious.
Tips and Tricks for this Easy Instant Pot Recipe
Make sure your chicken isn’t too thick. Chicken breasts these days can be VERY thick. If I happen to buy bigger breasts, I cut them in half (butterfly style) so they are no more than an inch and a half thick at the thickest point. This makes them cook more consistently in the Instant POt.
Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté” while you are peeling and chopping your carrots. That saves you the time of waiting for it to read “Hot.”
Watch your butter carefully once you put it in, moving it around so it does not burn.
Read the recipe carefully. If this is your first time making this instant pot chicken and rice casserole recipe, make sure to read the recipe carefully. You are doing a natural release for the Instant Pot, but only for 10 minutes.
How to Make this Recipe Easier
This is what you were waiting for, right? Here are a few corners we can cut. Because I would hate you to miss out on Instant Pot Chicken and Rice because it takes too much time.
- Skip the sautéing of vegetables. Buy a bag of frozen peas and carrots and add both at the end. We are losing the garlic and onion flavoring then, so add in a teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder.
- Use a can of condensed cream of chicken soup. The instructions in this recipe leave you with the exact same amount as if you buy the can. So skip that step and just add in the store bought stuff.
With those two steps, the only real hands on work you are doing is cutting chicken at the end!
A Note About Salt
Because different chicken stocks vary GREATLY in their salt content, I left any additional salt out of this recipe. This may mean that your recipe turns out perfect, and it may mean that you need to add up to a teaspoon of salt at the end. Trust your tastebuds, my friends.
Other Instant Pot Favorites
If you are loving on your Instant pot like me, then some other great pressure cooker dinners you can make are:
- Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup: This is one of our favorite recipes! I have a crockpot version as well.
- Instant Pot Beef Stew: This is the ultimate in comfort food!
- Instant Pot Meatballs and Pasta Recipe: I totally love this recipe. It’s total comfort food.
Other Easy Dinner Ideas
And if you are looking for other easy dinners in general, you have come to the right place!
- ONE POT CREAMY SHRIMP PASTA! This is one pot, just about 30 minutes, and everyone loves it!
- SHEET PAN CHICKEN AND VEGGIES: One of my newer recipes, this is going to be a huge hit in your house.
- EASY TOP ROUND ROAST BEEF RECIPE: This recipe doesn’t get enough credit! Only 5 minutes of prep. If you are nervous about roast beef, don’t be!
- EASY BEEF AND BROCCOLI: My middle kiddo DEVOURED this 25 minute dinner.
If you make this chicken and rice in the instant pot make sure to leave me a comment and let me know how it goes! And tell me what else you are looking for in dinner recipes!
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium carrots peeled and chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock (see the note about salt)
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 pound chicken (see note)
- 1 cup frozen green peas
Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (or a 10 ounce can of store-bought)
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Before you begin chopping your vegetables, set your Instant Pot to Sauté. This way when you are done prepping your carrots and onion, it will be hot and ready for you to put the vegetables in. (Read the notes to learn how to skip this step.)
- Once the Instant Pot says "Hot" add the butter and stir quickly, so that it doesn't burn. Add the chopped vegetables (carrots, onion, and garlic). Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent burning, until the carrots are tender. Turn Instant Pot off.
- In this order, add the chicken stock, rice, and set the chicken on top (please be sure to see the note about the chicken). Close the Instant Pot and set to High, Manual, 10 minutes. (Make sure that it is set to seal on top.) It will take the Instant Pot about 10 minutes to come to pressure. Once it is done cooking, let the Instant Pot have a natural pressure release for 10 minutes (be sure to watch the time), then turn to venting until all the pressure has fully released. (Between coming to pressure, the cook time, natural release, and quick release it will be about 34 minutes.)
- While the Instant Pot is doing its job, make your homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup. (Read the notes to learn how to skip this step.) In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken stock. Stir in the milk and the spices. Continue stirring, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes while stirring to prevent burning.
- When the 10 minutes is up and you have vented and fully released the pressure of your Instant Pot, open it. Remove the chicken, and cut it into bite-sized pieces (or shred it). Return the chicken to the Instant Pot and add the peas and the cream of chicken soup. Stir to combine and enjoy.
Notes
- Skip the sautéing of vegetables. Buy a bag of frozen peas and carrots and add both at the end. We are losing the garlic and onion flavoring then, so add in a teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder.
- Use a can of condensed cream of chicken soup. The instructions in this recipe leave you with the exact same amount as if you buy the can. So skip that step and just add in the store-bought stuff.
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
LouAnn says
Hi Lisa,
Could I make this using frozen chicken breasts? Would I have to add mute time and then just cut up the chicken when it is done.! Sound like a tasty recipe
Thank you
Hi LouAnn! I haven’t tried it with frozen chicken breasts (I’ll do that next), but you would definitely need to add more time. If I were doing this (and again I haven’t yet), I would probably start with adding 10 more minutes to the cook time (making it 20).
Heather says
Have you tried it frozen yet? would cooking for the 20 minutes over cook the rice?
I have not, but yes I would be a little worried about the rice getting over cooked at that length of time.
J says
You don’t change the time on the quick cooker. But it will take longer to reach pressure. When using frozen chicken.
Andrea Neel says
I made this last night and it was one of the best IP recipes I’ve ever made. So easy and the chicken comes out perfectly done. I used chicken cutlets since the notes said to not use too thick and I cut the breasts in half and it was perfect. Super easy to shred into the rice when done. My tip is to not overcook. I did 11 minutes instead of 10 and it made the rice slightly too done but still amazing. I may do 9 minutes next time. I salted the veggies and the chicken too. I used canned creamed chicken but will try homemade when I have more time. This is the only food blog I follow and I love it!
Andrea, You made my day. I’m so happy you liked it!
Vetia says
my instant pot with in just a few minutes said food burn. Any idea where I went wrong? I followed the recipe but doubled it.
I’m not sure Vetia, I haven’t tested this recipe as doubled, so I can’t say for sure what went wrong. I have heard that newer Instant Pots are more finicky when it comes to the burn warning, so that could be part of the problem. Finally, I just want to make sure that you didn’t mix the ingredients upon pouring them in. They really need to just be layered, and then the IP closed up for cooking.
Theresa says
Can you do this in a crockpot? I don’t have an Instant pot.
Hi Theresa! I have been trying for the last few days to get this to work in the crock pot, and as it is, it’s not as good in the crockpot. It needs some tweaks still, and I’m working on it.
Krysti Allen says
Hi! Can’t wait to try this! Quick question— can you use boneless, skinless chicken thighs?
Krysti, my best guess is that would work fine, but I can’t say for sure without trying.
Candace says
Can you recommend an alternative for the condensed soup? We have a milk allergy over here. Would the recipe be okay if I left it out?
I would try making your own but using soy milk and vegan butter. Follow my recipe here, and then with those swaps it should work. You could leave it out but I don’t think it will be as tasty.
Debbie says
This was really great and easy, thanks so much! So glad I came across this recipe. :)
Jessica says
I am confused with how the peas get cooked in this recipe. Thanks!
Frozen peas really only need to be warmed. Too much heat and they lose a lot of flavor. So the heat from the recipe at the end is plenty.
Cathy says
Could I use fresh broccoli instead of peas and carrots? Would you know when/how to add it?
Hi Cathy! While I think that would work, I can’t say for sure without trying it. I would skip that saute step and add the ingredients in this order: chicken stock, broccoli, rice, chicken. If you try it let me know what you think.
Kara Howe says
I’m getting a burn warning what do I do?
There are a few reasons this can happen. One, it could be because some of the vegetables got stuck to the bottom during sautéing. To prevent this, scrape the bottom while adding the chicken stock. Another reason could be because you inadvertently left it on venting instead of sealing, letting too much steam leave the instant pot. Some Instant Pots are just really picky and give this warning easily. That said, this post is really helpful and can give you even more reasons why that could be happening and what to do about it.