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Healthy and Easy Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice

Healthy and Easy Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice

Megan
Chicken and rice made fast and easy in the instant pot and it is as tasty as ever! This is one healthy chicken recipe you and your family will look forward to for dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 36 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 -5

Ingredients
  

Rice

  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • Pinch of Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • squeeze of lemon juice
  • 1 16 oz jar corn and black bean salsa

Chicken

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chicken rub see below
  • Juice of 1 lime

Toppings

  • Cilantro chopped
  • Jalapeños chopped
  • Avocado peeled, pitted, and sliced

Chicken Rub

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Ancho chile powder or regular chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground oregano

Instructions
 

Rice

  • Add rice, water, salt, cilantro, and lime juice to the pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Place lid on and set release valve to sealing. Pressure cook for 8 minutes. When complete, use quick release and turn valve to venting. Use caution and be sure not to get your hand in the way of the valve where pressure escapes. Transfer rice to a bowl and cover with a clean towel for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the jar of salsa to the rice until well incorporated.

Chicken

  • Combine ingredients for chicken rub in a small bowl and set aside. Brush chicken with olive oil or use olive oil spray. Rub 1 tablespoon chicken rub on both sides of chicken breasts. Place chicken in the Instant Pot. No need to clean it after cooking the rice. Squeeze lime juice over chicken. Place lid on Instant Pot, set valve to sealing, and pressure cook for 8 minutes. When complete, let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then transfer chicken to a baking sheet and shred. Add 2-3 ladles of the liquid in the pot to the chicken and stir in.

Serving

  • Serve shredded chicken atop the rice. Optional but RECOMMENDED! toppings include chopped cilantro, sprinkle of chile powder, chopped jalapeños, and sliced avocado.

Notes

The cooking time for the rice and chicken is 8 minutes each in the pressure cooker/Instant Pot. However, it takes about 5-10 minutes for it to warm up before it starts pressure cooking. Just a reminder to take that into account when planning your meal!