Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

Introduction

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice is a wholesome, one-pot recipe that delivers maximum comfort with minimum effort. The combination of tender chicken, creamy rice, and aromatic seasonings makes this dish a satisfying family favorite any night of the week. Plus, using the Instant Pot streamlines your prep and cuts down on dishes, making it the ultimate answer to busy weeknights.

Why Make This Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice?

This recipe is all about big flavor and simple prep. With perfectly seasoned chicken and rich, velvety rice, it’s a dish that feels like a home-cooked hug. The Instant Pot ensures everything cooks to perfection in a fraction of the usual time, locking in flavors and moisture for a meal that’s always crowd-pleasing and reliably delicious.

The Secret to Creamy, Flavorful Rice

Achieving perfectly creamy rice in an Instant Pot doesn’t require constant stirring or special ingredients. The key is combining long-grain white rice with just enough chicken broth, a splash of cream or milk, and a final addition of shredded cheese. This not only delivers a luscious texture but also keeps the dish rich and satisfying. Let the rice rest for a few minutes with the lid on after rapid release to allow flavors to meld further.

Assembling the Dish in Your Instant Pot

Begin by sautéing your aromatics and chicken right in your Instant Pot. Once browned, stir in the rice and pour over the broth. After a quick cook on high pressure, finish the dish by stirring in cream and cheese for that undeniably creamy finish. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a vibrant touch just before serving.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Chicken and Rice

This meal is satisfying on its own, but serving it with a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad can add freshness and color. For more texture, try topping the dish with crunchy fried onions or a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each portion typically contains around 450–500 calories, depending on the type of cream and cheese used. It’s rich in protein and offers a comforting, balanced meal option for all ages.

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice (Recap)

This recipe transforms everyday ingredients into something extraordinary, merging quick-cooking convenience with deep, layered flavors. The result? A creamy, hearty dinner that’s both fast and filling—perfect for busy nights or cozy weekends alike.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a smart shopping list with all ingredients organized by store department—making grocery trips and meal planning easier and faster.

Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil, then sauté onion for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Add chicken cubes and sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring until lightly browned (they’ll fully cook under pressure).
3. Stir in rinsed rice, chicken broth, dried thyme or Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. If using, add the frozen peas and carrots.
4. Secure the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
5. Once cooking is complete, allow a quick release of pressure, then carefully remove the lid.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the mixture becomes creamy. Let the pot sit for 3–5 minutes, lid on, to let flavors combine.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onion. Serve hot and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice is ideal for meal prep and planning. Save and schedule this recipe to seamlessly organize your week’s meals and generate a cohesive shopping list that combines ingredients across all planned dishes.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates ingredient totals for all recipes scheduled
• Sorts your grocery list by department for fast, efficient shopping
• Eliminates duplicates and prevents forgotten items
• Keeps meal prep streamlined and stress-free

Pro tip: When you schedule this recipe alongside other meals using CookifyAI, see exactly how ingredients like chicken or rice overlap, so you never overbuy or run out unexpectedly.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes