Cajun Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is a flavorful chicken one pot meal! It’s really hard to believe that it cooks in just about 30 minutes!
I’m constantly blown away by my pressure cooker and what it can do in such a short amount of time. Just like Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Spicy Chicken Lazone Pasta his chicken recipe won’t disappoint! This pressure cooker recipe is one of my favorite one pot meals made in the Instant Pot. Everything for a hearty meal ready in less than 30 minutes.
I was sitting around reading the Instant Pot recipes and contemplating what to try next when my husband suggested Cajun chicken and rice. We gave it some thought. Should we try cajun chicken and pasta? Should we go with rice?
First of all, we love Cajun dips, Cajun salmon, etc.. We could eat Cajun for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Not kidding. Secondly, we love spicy food. Better to overload on Cajun spice, than salt, right? At least that’s what my husband always says. Finally, spicy chicken and rice is a match made in heaven. Or, in the instant pot?
Prep Work
Being prepared is as important as cooking process itself! We want to add everything into the pot as quickly as possible. Do you know why? Because we want to avoid any liquid from evaporating too fast. And too soon! This is what will help us avoid the dreaded BURN warning.
Take chicken stock out of the fridge ahead of time. This will bring it to room temperature. If cold liquid hits the hot pot, liquid will evaporate too quickly.
Measure out tomato paste and chicken broth.
Use Jasmine or Basmati rice: While pressure cooker jasmine rice is very aromatic, basmati rice is no less flavorful. They won’t become mushy or burnt. Perfect instant pot rice choice!
Measure out the rice and rinse it: I usually rinse the rice 3-4 times to get rid of starch. Doing this will help prevent potential Burn notice.
Condiments: I like to have olive oil, spices, salt and pepper right in front of me.
Chop the veggies: Garlic, bell peppers, and scallions.
Slice the chicken ahead of time.
Which buttons do I need to push?
It’s time to put your Instant Pot into action to make Cajun Instant Pot Chicken and Rice! If you were wondering which Buttons to push on your Instant Pot, the detailed instructions are below:
First things first, close that lid and lock it.
Next, move valve on top of the lid to Sealing position. This will ensure pressure building up inside.
Push Pressure Cook button on the front panel. This button is also called Manual on some models.
- Set to High Pressure for 8 minutes
At this time the pressure will start building. This is called preheat mode. Once the instant pot is getting close to reaching its optimal temperature, you will see steam coming out of the float valve. And very soon, the screen will show “On” for the duration of the preheat mode.
- You should remember that the time it takes to cook the recipe, is not the total cooking time. You need to give the pot some time to ‘come to pressure’, and the more water in the pot, the longer this will take. Don’t worry, just let it do it’s thing!
You will know when the preheat mode is over when the float valve pops up and seals itself. The steam will stop coming out. At this time you will hear the beep as well as the On on the screen will disappear. The digital display will start the countdown.
Now all you have to do is patiently wait for your Cajun Instant Pot Chicken and Rice to be done.
How do I know if it’s done?
Once the countdown is over, the instant pot will beep several times. That means it’s time to use a 10 minute natural pressure release method.
First, put the wet towel over the lid. Next, move your face and body away from the lid. Finally, move the valve from Sealing to Venting. If not using a towel, you will see a straight line of steam shooting vertically from the lid into the sealing, which perfectly normal.
Please make sure to wait until all the steam is out. Once the red pin drops, open the lid.
Take the chicken out and shred the chicken strips with the fork and stir to combine with the rice. Taste Instant Pot Chicken and Rice and adjust the seasoning at this point.
Pressure Cooking Instructions for Brown Rice
I wrote this Cajun Instant Pot Chicken and Rice recipe for white rice. If you decide to make it with brown rice, the instructions are slightly different. You will need to add more time and more liquid.
You should use 2 ¼ cups of ROOM TEMPERATURE BROTH for 1.5 cups of brown rice.
Cook on Manual, set to High pressure for 15 minutes. When time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. After that release remaining pressure by turning the valve to ‘Venting’.
Instant Pot Tips
If you are frequently using your Instant Pot for a variety of recipes, it’s a good idea to have 2 different rings. One for savory recipes, and the other – for sweet recipes. This will help in avoiding odor exchange.
I use this Genuine Instant Pot Ring as my second ring. It has over 1,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid is a good way to help keep the food warm. You don’t even have to put the heavy pressure lid on!
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can double Instant Pot Chicken and Rice. Doing so does not change the cooking time. One cup of rice will take same amount of time to pressure cook as will two cups of rice or three cups.
However, make sure to not fill the instant pot more than half full for rice. That is, NEVER bring food over the maximum full line. This is especially important when rice is concerned. ½ full is your maximum here.
Hungry for more instant pot recipes?
The recipes below are all delicious and very easy to make:
Instant Pot Country Style Pork Ribs
Beef Brisket in the Instant Pot
How about Cajun recipes?
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Smoked Sausage
Warm and Cheesy Muffuletta Dip
Cajun Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 shallot (or small onion), diced
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into small chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into small chunks
- 3 green scallions, cut into small chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 cups chicken stock, (divided)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, (more to season chicken)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- 1.5 cup jasmine or basmati white rice, (rinsed several times)
- 1 pound chicken breast, (cut in strips)
- Salt and pepper, (to season chicken)
- Dried Oregano Seasoning, (to season chicken)
Instructions
- Preheat Instant Pot by pressing the “sauté” button.
- Sautéing Veggies: Once IP is hot, add olive oil and then add chopped shallot, red and green bell peppers, scallions, garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Deglaze: MANDATORY STEP! Next add ¼ cup of chicken stock to deglaze the bottom of the Instant Pot, making sure no bits and pieces are stuck to the bottom. This will ensure that nothing is stuck on the bottom to prevent BURN Warning. DO IT VERY WELL – BE GENEROUS WHEN DEGLAZING.
- Next add remaining chicken stock, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder and sea salt. Mix and stir to combine and to make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom.
- Now add rinsed rice and make sure it’s submerged into the liquid.
- Add sliced chicken and season it generously with salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning and Oregano (or Italian Seasoning) right in the pot.
- Then IMMEDIATELY close lid (IMPORTANT!) to avoid water from evaporating. Lock the lid and put valve to Sealing position.
- Push Pressure Cook (this button is also called Manual on some models), set to High Pressure and set the time on the digital display for 8 minutes.
- Pressure Release Method: When the time is up, use 10 minutes of natural pressure release: put the wet towel over the lid, move your face and body away from the lid and move the valve from Sealing to Venting.
- If not using a towel, you will see a straight line of steam shooting vertically from the lid into the sealing, which perfectly normal. Wait until all the steam is out and until the red pin drops, then open the lid.
- Shred the chicken strips with the fork and stir to combine with the rice. Taste an adjust the seasoning at this point.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only. This information comes from online calculators. Although whatsinthepan.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Video
Notes
Try our new favorite Instant Pot recipe Instant Pot Pork Chops:
Excellent recipe, everyone approved and that’s not an easy task, Thank You
It will easier next time around, Ron
Can I use frozen chicken breast in this recipe?
Yes! It might take longer to come to pressure.
Could not have turned out better. Great taste, perfect rice and no mess. Thank you
I am so glad you enjoyed this as much as we did!
This is the second time I’ve made it, and have gotten a burn error. Any help?! I follow the directions, yet this still happens!
I would suggest omitting onions – I believe they cause the burn warning in most cases.
Skip the sauté step and you won’t get a burn notice. It’s not a necessary step for any Instant Pot meal. IMO. It’s really just for aesthetics If you want to get the veggies/chicken seared for color- use a cast iron pan, super hot quick sear and add to Instant Pot.
That’s a great tip, Sara! Thank you.
The flavor on the chicken was good but the rice was mush and I decreased the minutes when the chicken was done from ten to five after reading comments. I’ve about given up on I.P. chicken and rice dishes. It’s always overcooked 😩.
Yes, rice gets a beating in the pressure cooker:(.