Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli and Rice is really easy to make using the pressure cook function. I’ll show you how to make everything all in just one pot in about 10 minutes of pressure cooking time.
Jump to:
This is a kid favorite meal. I started making this recipe by using the premade simmer sauces that come in the packet from the grocery store and the kids absolutely loved it! They actually requested this meal on a weekly basis. Based on the simple ingredients, I thought I'd give it a go without the premade sauce packet and make it from scratch. I’m so glad I did!
After several attempts, I came up with the perfect recipe that comes out super cheesy…just the way Kaleigh likes it! Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli and Rice is the perfect one-pot meal for any weeknight!
There’s not a lot of ingredients in this recipe, but it all comes together really well. I love that you can cook the chicken, rice, and broccoli all in the same pot…and everything is perfectly cooked! The chicken is cooked just right and the rice and broccoli are not overcooked or mushy! Woo hoo!
Tips for making Instant Pot Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
Don't cut up your broccoli too small. The broccoli will break up during cooking and stirring. If you cut the broccoli too small it will basically disintegrate. If you prefer larger pieces of broccoli, wait to add it until you remove the lid at the end. The heat from the rice and chicken mixture will cook the broccoli.
Brown your chicken before adding to the pot. I did not do this. The kids prefer the smoother texture of the chicken when it is not browned. Browning the chicken will add a little extra flavor and will make for a nicer presentation.
Undercooking, the chicken will result in a rubbery texture. Overcooking the chicken will result in dry chicken. You want to make sure that you don't undercook or overcook the chicken.
Yes, you can. But, not for this recipe. Instant Rice cooks much faster than regular rice. During the time that the chicken takes to cook, the rice would be way overcooked and become water-logged.
Since the chicken for this recipe is cut up very small, and the broccoli is left in bigger chunks, it all cooks at the same time. If you were to use larger pieces of chicken or smaller pieces of broccoli, the broccoli would be way overcooked by the time the chicken and rice were finished cooking.
Looking for more Instant Pot Recipes?
Ingredient tips and substitutions for Instant Pot Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
The full ingredient list is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.
- Canola Oil- Any high-heat cooking oil can be used.
- Chicken Broth- Chicken broth is recommended instead water due to the extra flavor that the chicken broth adds to the rice.
- Rice- White, long-grain rice was used. White rice and brown rice (and other types of rice) take a different amount of time to fully cook. If you choose a rice other than white rice, the cook time will likely need to be increased. I would recommend cutting the chicken into slightly bigger pieces and waiting to add the broccoli when you add the cheese at the very end.
- Salt-Freshly ground.
- Pepper-Freshly ground.
- Chicken Breasts- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes. It's important to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces so that they cook quickly.
- Broccoli- Cut the broccoli into large chunks. If they are small pieces, they will overcook during the pressure cooking time. Fresh broccoli florets or frozen broccoli can be used.
- Cheddar Cheese- Shredded cheddar cheese- you can use any other cheese that you like, just as long as it melts quickly.
Directions for making Instant Pot Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and season well with salt and pepper.
- Coat Instant Pot insert with 1 tablespoon of canola oil.
- Add chicken broth, rice, chicken, and broccoli.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set to high. Cook for 10 minutes with the valve set to "seal."
- When the timer ends, move the valve to "vent" and quick release all pressure and open the lid.
- Add the cheese and stir until well combined. While stirring the broccoli should break up and mix together with the rice and chicken.
Save for Later on Pinterest!
Recipe
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli with Rice
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon (1 Tablespoon) Canola Oil
- 29 Fluid Ounces (857 ⅝ ml) Chicken Broth
- 1 cup (185 g) Long Grain White Rice
- ¼ Teaspoon (¼ Teaspoon) Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon (¼ Teaspoon) Pepper
- 1 Pound (453 ⅗ g) Chicken Breast (About 2 medium chicken breasts-cut into 1 inch cubes)
- 2 ½ Cups (220 g) Broccoli (Fresh or frozen- cut into large chunks)
- 2 ½ Cups (282 ½ g) Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and season well with salt and pepper.
- Coat Instant Pot insert with 1 tablespoon of canola oil.
- Add chicken broth, rice, chicken, and broccoli.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set to high. Cook for 10 minutes with the valve set to "seal."
- When the timer ends, move the valve to "vent" and quick release all pressure and open the lid.
- Add the cheese and stir until well combined. While stirring the broccoli should break up and mix together with the rice and chicken.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!
-
Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream
If you loved Baskin Robbins Baseball Nut ice cream as a kid, you have to try this Ninja Creami baseball nut protein ice cream. It’s a creamy vanilla base loaded with chopped cashews and homemade raspberry sauce throughout, and I promise you would never know it’s a protein ice cream. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture Save for Later on Pinterest! Recipe Comments Baseball Nut from Baskin […]
-
Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream
I will be the first person to tell you that I HATE cottage cheese. I cannot stand the texture, the flavor, none of it. So when I tell you that this Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream does not taste like cottage cheese, I mean it! I promise! This recipe comes in at 297.59 calories, 38.2 grams of protein, 21.11 grams of sugar, 4.23 grams of fat, and 27.68 grams of carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami […]
-
Ninja Creami Pineapple Dole Whip Protein Ice Cream
If you have ever had a Dole Whip at Disney World, you know how addicting they are. This Ninja Creami Pineapple Dole Whip Protein Ice Cream brings that same creamy pineapple flavor home, but with a TON of protein packed into the whole pint. Trust me, you would never know it’s a healthier version! This recipe comes in at 346.67 calories, 31.33 grams of protein, 24 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, and 47 grams of carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Jump to: Tips for […]
-
Secret Ingredient to Make Coffee Ice Cream
If you want rich, bold coffee flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream, instant espresso powder is the way to do it. No extra liquid, no fuss, and you can dial in exactly how much coffee flavor you want. Here’s everything you need to know. Why use instant espresso powder instead of brewed coffee? Brewed coffee is mostly water. Adding it to your Ninja Creami base means you’re adding liquid that can change the consistency of your recipe and water down the other flavors. Instant espresso powder is pure concentrated coffee flavor with no extra liquid. You get all the […]
-
Use Powdered Peanut Butter for More Flavor in Ninja Creami Recipes
If you want more peanut butter flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream without adding on extra fat and calories, powdered peanut butter is a simple swap that delivers a richer, more concentrated peanut butter taste. Here’s why it works and how to use it. What is powdered peanut butter? Powdered peanut butter is made by pressing most of the fat out of roasted peanuts and grinding what’s left into a fine powder. What remains is concentrated peanut butter flavor with significantly less fat, fewer calories, and less sugar than regular peanut butter. It has the same nutty, roasted peanut […]
-
How Long Can You Freeze a Ninja Creami Base Before Processing?
Everyone knows that it’s recommended to freeze your Ninja Creami base for 24 hours before processing. But does it need to be frozen for exactly 24 hours? How long is too long, and does it actually matter if your Ninja Creami base has been sitting in the freezer for a week or more? Is there a maximum freeze time for Ninja Creami bases? Ninja does not publish an official maximum freeze time. The 24 hour minimum is well established, but there is no hard cutoff on the other end. Many people make their ice cream base with the intention of […]
-
How to Get Even More Vanilla Flavor in Your Ice Cream…
If you’ve been using vanilla extract in your Ninja Creami recipes and want to take the vanilla flavor up a notch, vanilla bean paste is the upgrade. Same effort, noticeably better results. What is vanilla bean paste? Vanilla bean paste is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a thick paste made from real vanilla beans. It contains the actual seeds scraped from inside vanilla bean pods, which is where the most intense vanilla flavor lives. When you use it in ice cream, you get those tiny black vanilla bean specks throughout the pint, along with a deeper, richer vanilla flavor […]
-
-
-
-
Are Ninja Creami Leftovers Supposed to Be Hard?
You made your Ninja Creami ice cream, it was perfect right out of the machine, you saved some for later, and now it’s basically a solid block. Is that normal? Yes. Here’s why it happens and what you can do about it. Are Ninja Creami leftovers supposed to freeze hard? Yes. Ninja Creami ice cream leftovers freezing hard after refreezing is completely normal. It is not a sign that something went wrong with your recipe. It is just how Ninja Creami ice cream behaves, and it comes down to how the machine works. Why Do the Leftovers Freeze So Hard? […]
-
-
-
-
Ninja Creami Berry Blast Protein Ice Cream
If you are tired of forcing down protein shakes and you are looking for a better way to hit your macros, then you have to try this Ninja Creami Berry Blast Protein Ice Cream. It is packed with real mixed berries, loaded with protein, and it tastes like an actual dessert instead of something you are forcing yourself to eat because it is good for you. Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries come together to create a bold berry flavor that is bright, fruity, and absolutely delicious. This recipe comes in at 279 calories, 26 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 6 […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip
If you love strawberries and you love frozen desserts but you don’t love all the calories that come with store-bought ice cream, then you are going to want to make this Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip right away. Think of it like a homemade strawberry version of the famous pineapple Dole Whip, but made right in your own kitchen with simple ingredients. It’s light, it’s creamy, it’s packed with real strawberry flavor, and it seriously feels like a sweet treat you shouldn’t be allowed to have on a diet. But you can. And that’s the best part. This recipe […]
-
Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
If you love a fresh, sweet watermelon as much as I do, then you have to try this Ninja Creami watermelon sorbet. It is made with just one single ingredient, fresh watermelon, and it comes out smooth, creamy, and packed with that sweet, juicy watermelon flavor that just screams summer. No added sugar, no dairy, no fuss. Just watermelon. That’s it! This recipe comes in at 91 calories, 2 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, and 23 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. […]
-
Ninja Creami Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream
If you love fun flavors and protein-packed desserts, this Ninja Creami Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream is going to be your new favorite treat. It’s sweet, creamy, and it’s got a ton of cotton candy flavor in the ice cream base and in the mix-ins! Not only does it taste great, but the texture (and color) is AMAZING! Made right in the Ninja Creami ice cream machine, this recipe brings a playful twist to high-protein frozen desserts while keeping things light and refreshing. This recipe comes in at 351 calories, 27 grams of protein, 16 grams of sugar, 14 […]
Comments
No Comments