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Home » Recipes » Recipes

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Published: Mar 22, 2023 · Modified: Apr 30, 2025 by Lara Clevenger, Registered Dietitian This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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Make tender chicken thighs and fluffy rice at the same time with your Instant Pot. These come out perfect every time! Have dinner ready in about 40 minutes with very little hands on time!

instant pot chicken thighs with rice with a spoon lifting a chicken thigh out of the instant pot

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

If you're looking for an easy dinner, you'll love this chicken thigh and rice recipe! It's done in about 40 minutes and has very little hands on time.

This easy chicken and rice recipe are perfect for those busy week days when you really don't feel like cooking.

If you are looking for more Instant Pot dinner recipes, check out this Instant Pot Rump Roast, Instant Pot Green Chicken Curry, Instant Pot Ranch Pork Chops and this Instant Pot Pot Roast.

Or if you're looking for more Instant Pot chicken recipes, check out this Instant Pot Chicken and Mushrooms, Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes, Instant Pot Frozen Shredded Chicken Breasts or this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Thighs recipe.

instant pot chicken thighs and rice on a white plate

Why you'll love this Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

  • One pot meal - this meal is a one pot meal, which calls for an easy clean up.
  • Easy Recipe - this chicken thigh and rice meal has simple directions and you can find all the ingredients at your local grocery store.
  • Meal prep - this recipe has 6 servings, which is great for meal prep for a week or just to have with the family!

Love chicken and rice? Check out this chicken and rice salad.

Ingredients

  • Bone-in skin-on Chicken thighs
  • Avocado oil
  • Seasonings: salt, pepper, minced garlic
  • Chicken broth (I used kettle and fire bone broth)
  • White rice (I used basmati)
ingredients for instant pot chicken thighs and rice

Tips & Tricks

Make sure you scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot after sautéing to ensure that you don't get the burn notice.

sliced instant pot chicken thighs with a fork on a white plate

How to make Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

  1. Season salt and pepper the chicken thighs
  2. Turn the Instant Pot to saute mode. Add the avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.
  3. Remove chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and set aside on a plate
  4. Add the minced garlic. Saute the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Next pour in the chicken broth/bone broth. When you pour in chicken broth remember to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot so you don’t get the burn warning.
  6. Next add in the rice, stir it a bit to make sure it’s completely covered. Then, put the chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot on top of the rice.
  7. Next, place the lid on the Instant pot and make sure the knob is set to sealed.
  8. Hit Manual, select high pressure. Set the time to 8 minutes.
  9. When the timer goes off, perform a 5 minute natural pressure release, then release the remaining pressure manually.
  10. Remove the lid carefully. Take out the chicken thighs. Fluff the rice with a fork. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before eating.
raw chicken thighs with seasoning in the instant pot
Season salt and pepper the chicken thighs
cooked chicken thighs in the instant pot
saute mode. Add the avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.
instant pot chicken thighs in a white casserole dish
Remove chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and set aside on a plate
instant pot chicken residue
minced galice. Saute the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
chicken broth in the instant pot
pour in the chicken broth/bone broth.
chicken broth and rice in the instant pot
add in the rice, stir it a bit to make sure it’s completely covered.
cooked chicken thighs with broth in the instant pot
Then, put the chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot on top of the rice.
instant pot chicken thighs with rice with a spoon lifting a chicken thigh out of the instant pot
Hit Manual, select high pressure. Set the time to 8 minutes.perform a 5 minute natural pressure release, then release the remaining pressure manually.

Stovetop Directions

If you do not have an Instant Pot you can cook these on the stovetop. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, add avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add in the chicken thighs.

Cook 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken thighs from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

In the same skillet add in minced garlic. Saute for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth/bone broth. Next add in the rice, stir it a bit to make sure it’s completely covered.

Then, put the chicken thighs on top of the rice. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is done. Fluff the rice with fork. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before eating.

cooked chicken thighs with rice in the instant pot

Substitutions

If you do not have chicken thighs, you can always substitute chicken tenders or chicken breasts. Even chicken leg quarters will work for this recipe!

What to serve with Chicken Thighs and Rice

These Instant Pot chicken thighs and rice pairs nicely with any of your favorite vegetables. I like serving mine with this green beans, Air Fryer Broccolini or these Air Fryer parmesan asparagus.

instant pot chicken thighs with rice and side of green beans on a white plate

How to store

Store in a glass airtight container for up to 5 days.

How to reheat

Remove the lid from the container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minute or until the chicken thighs and rice are warm. You may also transfer the chicken thighs and rice to a microwave safe dish to warm up.

instant pot chicken thighs and rice on a white plate

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

If you loved this easy Instant Pot Chicken Thigh recipe, check out these other easy recipes to make in the Instant Pot.

  • Instant Pot Frozen Shredded Chicken Breasts
  • Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower
  • Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
  • Instant Pot Low Carb Cauliflower Soup Recipe
  • Easy Instant Pot Beef Brisket Recipe
  • Instant Pot Beef Ribs
  • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breast
  • Instant Pot Whole Spaghetti Squash
PHOTO COLLAGE OF RECIPE WITH THE WORDS "VIEW MEAL PLANS"
sliced instant pot chicken thighs with a fork on a white plate

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Lara Clevenger, Registered Dietitian
Make tender chicken thighs and fluffy rice at the same time with your Instant Pot. These come out perfect every time! Have dinner ready in about 40 minutes with very little hands on time!
4.95 from 37 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 23 minutes mins
natural pressure release 5 minutes mins
Total Time 38 minutes mins
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 693 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lb bone in skin on Chicken thighs 6
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cup chicken broth I used kettle and fire bone broth
  • 1 ½ cups white rice I used basmati

Instructions
 

  • Season salt and pepper the chicken thighs
  • Turn the Instant Pot to saute mode. Add the avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.
  • Remove chicken thighs from the Instant Pot and set aside on a plate
  • Add the minced garlic. Saute the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Next pour in the chicken broth/bone broth. When you pour in chicken broth remember to scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot so you don’t get the burn warning.
  • Next add in the rice, stir it a bit to make sure it’s completely covered. Then, put the chicken thighs back into the Instant Pot on top of the rice.
  • Next, place the lid on the Instant pot and make sure the knob is set to sealed.
  • Hit Manual, select high pressure. Set the time to 8 minutes.
  • When the timer goes off, perform a 5 minute natural pressure release, then release the remaining pressure manually.
  • Remove the lid carefully. Take out the chicken thighs. Fluff the rice with a fork. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before eating.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 693kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 41gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 224mgSodium: 662mgPotassium: 537mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 179IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg
Keyword instant pot chicken and rice, instant pot chicken thighs and rice
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pin of instant pot chicken thighs and rice on a white plate with green beans

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4.95 from 37 votes (37 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I’m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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