• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Nourish Nutrition Blog logo

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure
  • Recipe Index
  • Healthy Life Tips
  • Nutrition Services
    • One on One Nutrition Therapy
    • Recipe Development/Food Photography Services
    • Nutrition Expert Services
  • Photo/Video Services
    • Food Photography Portfolio
    • Recipe Video Portfolio
    • Food Photography Resources
    • Utah Portrait Photographer
  • Free Single Serving Cookbook

August 26, 2020 Updated September 15, 2020 By Rebecca Chicken Dishes

Instant Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
hand holding spoon in chicken and yellow rice with text overlay
chicken and yellow rice in a bowl with text overlay

Need a super easy one pot meal for dinner tonight? Look no farther this this Instant Pot chicken and yellow rice. The chicken and rice are done at the same time, and are super tender and flavorful.

hand holding a spoon in a bowl of chicken and yellow rice

How will this chicken and yellow rice make your life easier?

This one pot Instant Pot dish is so easy and perfect for the summer because it won’t heat up your house. The chicken and rice cook up in the same amount of time and are both tender and flavorful afterward.

Yellow rice is made in lots of different cuisines including Latin cuisines, African, and Mediterranean. Most use saffron or turmeric to flavor and color the rice yellow.

Want other easy Instant Pot recipes? Try this Chicken Fried Rice, Instant Pot Lentil Stroganoff, Sweet Potato Soup, or ‘steam’ some potatoes in it to make the easiest No-Mayo Potato Salad.

What makes this so good?

instant pot chicken and yellow rice ingredients
  • Frozen chicken tenders
  • Jasmine rice
  • Chicken bouillon paste (or chicken broth)
  • Turmeric powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Frozen vegetables

How do I make Instant Pot chicken and yellow rice?

frozen chicken tenders on trivet in instant pot

Pour 1/2 cup of water into Instant Pot bowl. Place 2-3 c volume glass bowl inside Instant Pot bowl. Pour 1/2 c jasmine rice, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon paste, 1/8 tsp turmeric powder, and a pinch of garlic powder in glass bowl. Place trivet on top of glass bowl, place 2-3 frozen chicken tenders on trivet.

Expert Tip: Love turmeric? add 1/4 tsp instead of 1/8 tsp.

Cover with lid, close valve to SEALING. Use MULTIGRAIN setting, and set for 15 minutes.

Quick release steam when timer dings by flipping the valve to STEAMING. When steam finishes releasing, open lid. Remove trivet and stir rice. If all the water is absorbed and rice is tender, it’s done. If it’s hard or not all water has been absorbed, replace lid and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Check temperature of chicken, it’s done when it reaches 165 degrees.

green beans over yellow rice with steam

When rice and chicken are cooked, add 1/2 frozen vegetables to rice. Replace lid and let sit for about 5 minutes. Steam in the pot will cook the vegetables. When vegetables are warmed, it’s ready to serve.

Expert Tip: If you need to cook the rice a bit longer, and are short on time, add the frozen vegetables to cook for another couple minutes. Taste rice, add more turmeric if desired.

Expert Tip: Be careful with the turmeric powder, it stains everything!

Expert Tips

  • Love turmeric? add 1/4 tsp instead of 1/8 tsp.
  • If you need to cook the rice a bit longer, and are short on time, add the frozen vegetables to cook for another couple minutes. Taste rice, add more turmeric if desired.
  • Be careful with the turmeric powder, it stains everything!

FAQ

Can you cook rice and meat at the same time in Instant Pot?

Yes, you can cook some. I’ve found that frozen chicken tenders take the same amount of time to cook as white rice. I’ll need to test other meats.

Can you cook frozen chicken in Instant Pot?

Yes, I used frozen chicken in this recipe. Cooking frozen chicken in the Instant Pot is easy- it maintains the great chicken flavor and tenderness because of the additional water from it being frozen. Plus it saves effort and you don’t have to defrost the chicken ahead of time.

Why did my rice burn in the Instant Pot?

Rice burns when there isn’t enough cooking liquid. Usually, you add about 1 1/4 parts liquid for one part white rice when cooking it in the Instant Pot. I also add some water to the pot just in case.

chicken and yellow rice in glass bowl

How can I repurpose this dish?

  • This would be good in a Greek style bowl. You can add lemon chicken, crispy chickpeas, cucumber, yogurt, and other similar flavors to switch it up. I’d recommend using less turmeric if making this recipe because less turmeric will go better with these Greek flavors.
  • Add other types of meat to this dish if the rice outlasts the chicken. It’d be good with pork chops or shrimp.

What can I make with leftover ingredients?

  • (rice) Beef & Broccoli, Beef & Wild Rice Stuffed Squash
  • (chicken) Easy Chicken Salad Pita, Chicken & Broccoli Casserole, or Chicken & Bacon Sheetpan Dinner
  • (turmeric) I don’t have any other turmeric recipes on Nourish Nutrition Blog, but check out these 37 recipes from Bon Appetit.

Did you make this Instant Pot chicken and yellow rice? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

chicken and yellow rice in glass bowl
Print Pin
5 from 5 votes

Instant Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice

Need a super easy one pot meal for dinner tonight? Look no farther this this Instant Pot chicken and yellow rice. The chicken and rice are done at the same time, and are super tender and flavorful.
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine African, American, Mediterranean
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 1 person
Author Rebecca

Equipment

  • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups
  • Trivet
  • Small-medium glass bowl
  • Rubber/plastic serving spoon

Ingredients

  • 2-3 frozen chicken tenders
  • 1/2 cup jasmine rice
  • 1 cup water divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon paste or use 3/4 c chicken broth instead of water + bouillon paste
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • pinch garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup frozen vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or cauliflower

Instructions

  • Pour 1/2 cup of water into Instant Pot bowl. Place 2-3 c volume glass bowl inside Instant Pot bowl. Pour 1/2 c jasmine rice, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon paste, 1/8 tsp turmeric powder, and a pinch of garlic powder in glass bowl. Place trivet on top of glass bowl, place 2-3 frozen chicken tenders on trivet.
  • Cover with lid, close valve to SEALING. Use MULTIGRAIN setting, and set for 15 minutes.
  • Quick release steam when timer dings by flipping the valve to STEAMING. When steam finishes releasing, open lid. Remove trivet and stir rice. If all the water is absorbed and rice is tender, it's done. If it's hard or not all water has been absorbed, replace lid and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Check temperature of chicken, it's done when it reaches 165 degrees. When rice and chicken are cooked, add 1/2 frozen vegetables to rice. Replace lid and let sit for about 5 minutes. Steam in the pot will cook the vegetables. When vegetables are warmed, it's ready to serve.

Video

Chicken & Yellow Rice

Notes

  • Love turmeric? add 1/4 tsp instead of 1/8 tsp.
  • If you need to cook the rice a bit longer, and are short on time, add the frozen vegetables to cook for another couple minutes. Taste rice, add more turmeric if desired.
  • Be careful with the turmeric powder, it stains everything!

Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

Categories: Chicken Dishes

About Rebecca

Welcome! Iโ€™m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, youโ€™ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

Previous Post: « BLT Bagel
Next Post: Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pris says

    August 26, 2020 at 3:01 pm

    5 stars
    Cooking both at the same time?? YOU ARE A GENIUS! Thanks for the great idea… I’m on to try it!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 27, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      oh it’s a game changer!

      Reply
  2. Dionne says

    August 26, 2020 at 3:44 pm

    5 stars
    I am always on a lookout for a quick and meal to keep handy for those nights when there is just not enough time for everything. This recipe looks perfect!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 27, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      it totally is! enjoy

      Reply
  3. Suzy says

    August 26, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    5 stars
    We love making rice in the instant pot! So easy! Love the flavor of this chicken and rice dish!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 27, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      yes! it’s so good & easy!

      Reply
  4. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    August 26, 2020 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    Sounds like such a flavourful dish! Will be popping up this on my meal plan for the week!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 27, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      do it, it’s so good!

      Reply
  5. Jacqueline Meldrum says

    August 26, 2020 at 4:54 pm

    5 stars
    You’re right about turmeric staining everything but it makes the rice look so pretty.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 27, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      and yummy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

MEET REBECCA

Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Blog in a kitchen making guacamole with chips and dips on counter

Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a dietitian & lazy home cook. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find quick, delicious recipes for one person to get you excited to cook at home.

Learn More About Rebecca MS, RDN, CD

Featured In

logos of media outlets Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Co has contributed to

Top Recipes

cod with lemon on top next to couscous and broccoli

Easy Instant Pot Fish

six different fridge and pantry meals in an image

Freezer, Fridge and Pantry Meals for One

red wine vinegar coleslaw in a glass bowl with tongs in it

Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw

holding the handle of a cast iron skillet with peach cobbler in it

The Best Peach Cobbler

Winter Recipes

smashed cranberries and juice in a glass with a green striped straw

Smashed Cranberry Mocktail

kale, apple, and pomegranate salad with fork in it

Holiday Kale Slaw with Apples

close up of delicata squash soup in a white bowl with grilled cheese

Delicata Squash Soup

close up of warm kale salad in a white bowl with a fork in it

Warm Kale Salad

fish tacos with white sauce and orange salsa on a white plate

Fish Tacos with White Sauce and Orange Salsa

grapefruit salad in a bowl

Avocado Grapefruit Salad

More Posts from this Category

Pantry Dinners

square image of pesto pasta with chicken and parmesan cheese

Healthy Pistachio Pasta

square image of black bean pasta with cheese in a bowl

Easy Black Bean Pasta

maple mustard salmon and brussels sprouts on a plate

Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

six different fridge and pantry meals in an image

Freezer, Fridge and Pantry Meals for One

close up of pan seared pork chop, green beans, potatoes and a lemon on a plate

Pan Seared Pork Chops

close up of carrots, leeks, and white beans in a bowl

White Bean and Farro Bowl

More Posts from this Category

One Pot/One Pan Recipes

close up of delicata squash soup in a white bowl with grilled cheese

Delicata Squash Soup

overnight oats with apples in a jar

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

buffalo chicken flatbread with ranch on top

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread

close up of chicken and yellow rice in a glass bowl

Instant Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice

bowl of chicken fried rice

Chicken Fried Rice in the Instant Pot

cod with lemon on top next to couscous and broccoli

Easy Instant Pot Fish

More Posts from this Category

Footer

wanna cook at home more

BUT don't want to plan out your meals? SIGN UP to download my free Pantry Essentials Checklist to throw together easy & delicious meals on the spot

Featured In

logos of media outlets Rebecca of Nourish Nutrition Co has contributed to

Copyright© 2021 ยท by Rebecca Clyde

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Yummly
  • Email
  • Print