Description
This Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice is a one-pot meal full of fresh Mediterranean flavors. Tender chicken thighs are cooked with fragrant rice, olives, lemon, and a mix of Greek-inspired spices, making it a quick and easy dish for busy weeknights. Serve it with a side of tzatziki sauce for the ultimate Greek meal experience!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or basmati rice)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Sauté the chicken:
- Turn the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken thighs and brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
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Sauté the onion and garlic:
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
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Add the rice and spices:
- Stir in the rice, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix everything to coat the rice in the spices and garlic.
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Pressure cook the meal:
- Place the chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot on top of the rice. Add the chicken broth and Kalamata olives, ensuring the chicken is partially submerged in the broth.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Cook on “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on high for 8 minutes.
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Release pressure:
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then carefully turn the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure.
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Serve:
- Remove the chicken thighs from the pot and shred or slice them. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the crumbled feta cheese.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a side of tzatziki sauce, if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs if preferred, but thighs tend to be more flavorful and stay tender in the Instant Pot.
- For a lower-carb version, you can use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
- You can also add other Mediterranean ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts for additional flavor.
- If you prefer a bit more sauce, feel free to add a little extra chicken broth before cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 75mg