This Instant Pot arroz con pollo is a super quick and family friendly meal! Gluten free, and dairy free if you wish, this is a meal using chicken to put on your menus this week! Even better, I can show you how to make this stove top too….so no worries if you don’t have a pressure cooker!
Chicken and rice…a perfect match. Comfort food.
Finding quick and easy gluten free dinners can be key to sticking to real food meal plans. Sometimes, there just isn’t time for a ton of prep and cooking…I get it! With three kiddos all with different activities in different spots at different times…some days I need the super quick prep and cook dinners.
That’s why I love my IP…I have developed lots of recipes (a few linked below!) specific for crazy activity nights when I don’t have the time.
With my Instant Pot, I have the added bonus of leaving the house and and not worrying about things burning or overcooking in my absence.
And while I have had more versions than I can count (all delicious in their own right!) , my version is Mexican-inspired. I make it more mild since having kids so they will eat it too, but my husband and I are always sure to have some pickled jalapeños, or rajas as I called them while living in México one summer.
I always have the ingredients on hand, and the whole family digs it, I hope you find it yummy too!
Serving Suggestions For Pressure Cooker Arroz con Pollo:
While enjoying a bowl all by it’s lonesome is perfectly acceptable…here are some ideas you and your family could use to personalize and make everyone even MORE happy!!
- serve with any tortillas of choice
- add some shredded sharp cheddar (dairy free if necessary)
- shredded cabbage
- fresh lime
- chopped cilantro
- pickled jalapeños
- sour cream or greek yogurt
- sliced avocado
- cotija or some sheep’s milk feta
- with a side of beans
More Family Friendly Quick Instant Pot Meals:
- Rice-a-Roni Chicken
- Instant Pot Creamy Whole30 Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Chicken Abobo
- Cheeseburger Soup (Sneaky Veggies!)
And I have had my eye on this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Soup over at Eat Beautiful!
You May Need:
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If you choose to use an Instant Pot, you will save on time and cleaning! If you’ve been on the fence about getting one…they are popular for a reason! They cook food SO well, can reduce cook times, and make clean up SO easy!! I use mine multiple times a week and bring it on on all our family trips (that have access to electricity!). No worries if you go the stove top route, both work!
Can I make arroz con pollo on the stove?
Yes! Not everyone has an Instant Pot, so here are YOUR directions!
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Heat oil in a large pan (with a tight fitting lid).
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Sauté onion for a couple of minutes to soften.
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Add in the rice. You want the rice to start to toast a bit, this adds more flavor.
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Add in the (chopped) chicken, garlic, and spices, saute a few minutes more.
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Stir the tomato paste into the chicken broth, and then add to pan (Increase the broth to scant 2 cups) .
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Give a good stir to mix well, and bring to a boil.
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Cover with a tight fitting lid, reduce heat, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 15-20 minutes. Let rest 5-10 minutes before removing lid to stir and serve.
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Serve with the garnishes!
Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo Recipe:
Don’t forget if you try this recipe and like it, come back and tell other readers with a comment and rating!
Instant Pot Chicken & Rice
A quick and easy Mexican inspired family dinner for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 small onion diced fine
- 1 1/4 cup long grain rice I prefer California Basmati
- 4 cloves garlic minced, or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs OR chicken tenderloins
- 2 teaspoons Fiesta Chili Powder this is a salt-free seasoning found in most bulk spice sections. may use regular chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt to taste
- 1 1/2 cups bone broth
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
Garnish Options:
- Grated cheese/Daiya shreds, diced avocado, chopped tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, tortillas (any preferred)
Instructions
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Preheat Instant Pot on 'saute'
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Add in the avocado oil, then saute onion for a couple of minutes to soften.
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Add in the rice. You want the rice to start to toast an turn golden a bit, this adds more flavor.
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Meanwhile, in a a glass measuring cup, mix the broth, reserving 1/2 cup, with all the spices and salt, set aside. In another container, use the remaining 1/2 cup broth and whisk with the tomato paste, (we keep it separate to avoid that pesky 'burn notice' on the newer, more sensitive Instant Pots!
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Add in the garlic in with the rice and onions, saute a minute more. Hit 'cancel.'
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Pour in the broth/spice mixture. Using a utensil to deglaze the bottom of the pot and ensure there are no stuck rice pieces (again, this is a preventative to the burn notice). Place the chicken thighs or tenderloins in, nestling them in. Pour the reserved tomato/broth mix over the top, very gently swirl to mix just barely. Shove any rice or onion pieces stuck on the sides above the liquid back into the broth, and lock on the lid (ensure the pressure gauge is closed to NOT venting), and set 'manual' time for 5 minutes.
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As soon as the timer beeps, hit 'cancel'. Let the pressure come down naturally for at least 10 minutes, then vent and serve! May mash the chicken around to shred it prior to serving if desired.
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Serve with the optional garnishes!
Recipe Notes
I do NOT recommend this recipe for a double batch...I have not been successful yet!
I’d like to make this with bone in, skin on chicken thighs I have in the freezer. Would that work?
Because of the rice and the only 5 minute cook time, you’d have to cut it up or par boil them in advance so they were at least half cooked.
I made this, so good! My entire family gobbled It down and asked for more! That barely happens! Super quick and easy to make! 5 star recipe!
Burn notice came on right after the pot was done preheating. Would love to try again, what can I do different?
you mean when it came to pressure? Or after sautéing the rice?
Such a great recipe. The whole family enjoyed it immensely. Will be adding this into our regular rotation .
Just made this for a quick weeknight dinner. It was deeeeeeeelish! I added peas because I love them. I think next time I’ll add some chopped green olives with the pimentos in them at the very end.
Glad you liked it Kat!
Another recipe to add to my growing Instant Pot collection! I just got one lol
I love arroz con pollo and can not wait to try your healthy version!!!
Adding this to my list of busy-night recipes — looks like a crowd pleaser!
Another fantastic and delicious recipe that I really like and can’t wait to try soon! And it is healthy, too, so what else to wish for, right?! 🙂
I haven’t had arroz con pollo in a long time! That’s going to have to change, your recipe sounds delicious!
I just got mine Instant Pot, so will make it.
That looks amazing! So flavorful and delicious!
Oh yum, I never get enough of these kinds of flavors! Also… why have I never cooked rice dishes in the Instant Pot, that really needs to change!
Yes! Another great Instant Pot recipe to add to my collection. Thanks!
What a tasty looking dinner for the family! Thanks for the stove top instructions as I still don’t don’t have an Instant Pot!
Love whole meals made at once. This is perfect for the Instant Pot.
Looks so good! Am wondering if there’s a difference if you use other kinds of rice. We have medium grain rice at home. Does that change the texture? I know they have different starch levels but not sure how that affects the end result.
Hi Evie! It will
Definitely change the texture (more sticky) but it will still work!
Totally agree with you that being able to leave a meal cooking in the Instant Pot without worrying is invaluable! Pinning this recipe to try, it really looks delicious.
This looks so easy and delicious! I like basmati rice too. Definitely trying this!
Sounds easy and delicious!
Arroz con pollo is such a great comfort food! The Colombian side of my family makes it all the time and everyone has their own version. Love that you added cabbage! I need to give this a try!
I love bowl meals, this is becoming a favorite in my home.
Pulling out the IP! Yum!
I’m so hungry just looking at this recipe! We’re definitely making this one!
Sounds like such a wonderful comfort food, and I love the Mexican flavors!
AW!! and thank you dear for linking to my soup recipe!!! I hope you get to make it! It’s one my favorites! xx!
Wow, this looks DELICIOUS!! Total comfort food for me, and yay for the IP! Can’t wait to make!
The IP is a savior for those busy nights, right?! This looks so good, and I love how my kids could customize with different toppings at the table.
This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it!