Tessa the Domestic Diva

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Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo

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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!

pinterest ready festive colorful bowl filled with a tomato rice and chicken dish topped with fresh lime wedge, chopped cilantro, and cotija cheese

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!

vertical image of two colorful bowl filled with tomaot rice and tender chicken chunks topped with cilantro, lime, and feta atop a lime, tangerine and yellow colored bamboo mat

Serving Suggestions For 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:

And I have had my eye on this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Soup over at Eat Beautiful!

 

horizontal image from above of two colorful bowls filled with a tomato rice and tender chicken shreds topped with cilantro, feta cheese, and jalapeños

You May Need:

Any of the links in my posts may be affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase (no difference in cost to you), I might make a commission. Your support is much appreciated and pays for the cost of running this free resource!

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!

  1. Heat oil in a large pan (with a tight fitting lid).
  2. Sauté onion for a couple of minutes to soften.
  3. Add in the rice. You want the rice to start to toast a bit, this adds more flavor.
  4. Add in the (chopped) chicken, garlic, and spices, saute a few minutes more.
  5. Stir the tomato paste into the chicken broth, and then add to pan (Increase the broth to scant 2 cups) .
  6. Give a good stir to mix well, and bring to a boil.
  7. 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.
  8. Serve with the garnishes!

Arroz con Pollo Recipe:

Don’t forget if you try this recipe and like it, come back a tell other readers with a comment and rating!

5 from 24 votes
Print

Instant Pot Chicken & Rice

A quick and easy Mexican inspired family dinner for busy weeknights!

Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword chicken thighs, instant pot
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 278 kcal
Author Tessa

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 chopped into bite size pieces. May leave whole for Instant Pot and shred afterwards.
  • 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
  • 1/2 teaspoon 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

  1. Preheat Instant Pot on 'saute'

  2. Add in the avocado oil, then saute onion for a couple of minutes to soften.

  3. Add in the rice. You want the rice to start to toast an turn golden a bit, this adds more flavor.

  4. Meanwhile, in a a glass measuring cup, mix the broth, the paste, and all the spices and salt, set aside.

  5. Add in the garlic in with the rice and onions,saute a  minute more.  Hit 'cancel.'

  6. Pour in the broth mixture.  Place the chicken thighs in, nestling them in.  Shove any rice or onion pieces 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.

  7. As soon as the timer beeps, hit 'cancel'.  Let the pressure come down naturally for at least 10 minutes, then vent and serve!  (If you used whole chicken thighs, remove and shred with a couple of forks. then return to rice)

  8. Serve with the optional garnishes!

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Chicken & Rice
Amount Per Serving
Calories 278 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 71mg24%
Sodium 361mg16%
Potassium 360mg10%
Carbohydrates 34g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 20g40%
Vitamin A 345IU7%
Vitamin C 3.2mg4%
Calcium 40mg4%
Iron 1.9mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Any of the links in my posts may be affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I might make a commission. Your support is much appreciated and pays for the cost of running this free resource!

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Comments

  1. Kat says

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

  17. Joni Gomes says

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply

  24. Leslie says

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
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