Instant Pot Lemon-Herb Chicken and Rice

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I have about five minutes to write up this recipe post before throwing the kids in bed and pouring myself a giant glass of wine to curl up with something on Netflix or a book on my Kindle, but I HAD TO share this recipe for Instant Pot Lemon-Herb Chicken and Rice.

I got an Instant Pot* about a month ago, on a whim, in hopes that it would be the magic bullet kitchen item to help me start cooking again. With activities nearly every night of the week, a husband working over an hour away, and me working until 6, we were going out to eat at least four nights a week.

It got old, fast. Dan was like “man, I miss meals we cook here.”

(Same, Dan. Same.)

The first few times I tried cooking after resolving to stop going out to eat, I thought I’d lost my mojo. I made a pasta dish that tasted like nothing and actually said the words “I think I’ve lost my mojo.” It was scary.

I’ve seen the Instant Pot swirling around my online circles for over a year, but I’ve been scared to try it. What if I just spent that money, and it was a total joke? What if everything in it just came out as mush? What if it blew up in my kitchen!?

I’m happy to report that has not been the case. This has been an amazing addition to my kitchen gadget stash, and I use it at least twice a week. So far we’ve only had ONE meal that was a bust, and it was very highly rated on a blog Dan found, totally labeled “the best.” (It was not the best.)

We have this recipe for one-pot chicken and rice that we love, but the rice always comes out underdone or glued to the bottom of the skillet, even though the flavors are delicious. Tonight I decided I’d made enough of other people’s recipes, so it was time to try my hand at adapting my own recipe for the Instant Pot.

Since I know you guys don’t care about any of that ^^ up there, here’s my recipe for Instant Pot Lemon-Herb Chicken and Rice. (And I’d love it if you pin this. #shamelessask)

What You Need for Instant Pot Lemon-Herb Chicken and Rice:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 c. Jasmine rice
• 2 c. chicken broth
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or diced
• 1-2 T olive oil
• 1 T + 1 t. Italian seasoning
• 1 lemon
• salt, pepper

1. Heat your Instant Pot on Saute. While it’s coming to temperature, salt and pepper your chicken, and sprinkle with the teaspoon of the Italian seasoning. (You don’t have to use the entire teaspoon. This is very much to taste.)
2. Once the Instant Pot is to temp, drizzle in your olive oil and saute the garlic just until fragrant. Place the chicken on top of the garlic and cook 1-2 minutes per side. Remove chicken from Instant Pot.
3. Toss the rice into the Instant Pot and add chicken broth, the tablespoon of Italian seasoning, and juice from half the lemon.
4. Gently place the chicken on top of the rice and broth and top with a few slices of the lemon.
5. Set the Instant Pot to Manual, High pressure for 12 minutes.
6. Allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes and then quick release.
7. Plate and serve.
8. Enjoy!

My estimate is that this dinner was ready in under 30 minutes, start to finish, and that’s even with me doing a little mise en place with my rice, broth, and lemon slices.

This would be excellent with a side salad and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. A nice Belgian wheat beer would also be a great pairing. Sure, add a side of green veggies if you’d like. That’s a thing some people do. But not me because the entire point is that I’m only dirtying up one pot or pan. (I know, I know. I’m terrible. And lazy.

Let me know what you think!

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