This creamy chicken and rice is one of our favorite weeknight dinners, tender chicken and fluffy rice in a creamy parmesan sauce, all made in one pot in about thirty minutes. For us that kind of fast, comforting meal is exactly what real food for real life is about. It is the kind of dinner that delivers cozy, creamy comfort with almost no babysitting, since the chicken, rice, and vegetables all cook together and a quick stir of cream and parmesan finishes the pot.
Chicken, rice, onion, garlic, and mixed vegetables pressure cook together, then get finished with cream and parmesan for a rich, cozy dish. This creamy chicken and rice is a complete, hands off, one pot meal that the whole family enjoys. Pressure cooking the chicken, rice, and vegetables together means everything is seasoned alike, and stirring in cream and parmesan at the end turns the whole pot rich, velvety, and cozy.
Tender chicken and fluffy rice in a creamy parmesan sauce make this creamy chicken and rice a cozy, one pot dinner.
Why You Will Love This Creamy Chicken and Rice
- One pot meal. Chicken, rice, and vegetables cook together for easy cleanup.
- Ready in about thirty minutes. The pressure cooker makes a complete dinner fast.
- Creamy and comforting. Cream and parmesan make a rich, cozy sauce.
- Hands off cooking. Set the pressure and let it do the work.
- Family favorite. Creamy chicken and rice is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
What Makes This Creamy Chicken and Rice So Good
A great creamy chicken and rice starts with sauteing onion and garlic, then browning the chicken with thyme, which builds savory flavor before pressure cooking. Sauteing the onion and garlic and browning the chicken with thyme builds a savory base before pressure cooking, so the finished dish tastes layered rather than plain.
Adding rice and broth and scraping up the browned bits ensures the rice cooks up fluffy and flavorful, while mixed vegetables add color and substance. Scraping up the browned bits as the rice and broth go in lifts all that savory flavor into the dish, and the mixed vegetables add color and substance to every bite.
The key to this creamy chicken and rice is the finish. Stirring in cream and parmesan after cooking melts into a rich, velvety sauce that coats the chicken and rice beautifully. Stirring cream and parmesan in after cooking is what gives this dish its signature finish, melting into a rich, velvety sauce that coats the chicken and rice beautifully.
Optional Pro Tip: Natural Release for Fluffy Rice
Let the pressure release naturally for several minutes before opening, which helps the rice finish cooking and stay fluffy. For the best creamy chicken and rice, stir in the cream and parmesan at the very end, off the heat, so the sauce stays smooth and creamy. Letting the pressure release naturally for several minutes lets the rice finish gently and stay fluffy, and stirring the dairy in off the heat keeps the sauce smooth rather than grainy.
Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken and Rice
Brown the chicken first so the creamy chicken and rice has savory depth, and scrape up the browned bits when you add the rice. Browning the chicken first builds savory depth, and scraping up the browned bits when the rice goes in ensures none of that flavor is left behind in the pot.
Use a natural release so the rice stays fluffy, then stir in the cream and parmesan at the end. Season to taste before serving. A natural release keeps the rice fluffy rather than gummy, and stirring the cream and parmesan in only at the very end is what keeps the sauce silky and smooth.
Variations and Add Ins
- Extra veggies. Add broccoli, spinach, or extra mixed vegetables.
- Cheesy. Add more parmesan or a little cheddar.
- Herb forward. Add extra thyme, parsley, or a little rosemary.
- Spicy. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Lighter. Use half and half in place of heavy cream.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store leftover creamy chicken and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavor stays rich and comforting. Stored airtight, it keeps its rich, comforting flavor for a few days, making it an easy, satisfying meal to portion out for quick lunches through the week.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk if the rice has dried out or the sauce has thickened. A splash of broth or milk stirred in while reheating revives the rice if it has dried out and loosens the sauce, bringing the dish right back to creamy.
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Chicken and Rice
Serve this warm, garnished with fresh parsley and extra parmesan, with a green vegetable or salad on the side. It is a complete, satisfying meal on its own. A scattering of fresh parsley and extra parmesan brightens the bowl, and a simple green vegetable or salad on the side balances the rich, creamy dish.
This dish is a creamy take on chicken and rice, a comforting staple pairing found in cuisines around the world, as described in this overview of chicken and rice. The cream and parmesan are what give this creamy chicken and rice its cozy richness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, though thighs stay juicier. If using breasts, cut them into pieces and avoid overcooking. Breasts work, though thighs stay juicier under pressure, so if you use breasts, cut them into pieces and take care not to overcook them.
What rice works best?
Long grain white rice cooks well under pressure. Adjust liquid and time if you use brown rice. Long grain white rice cooks reliably under pressure and stays fluffy, but you can use brown rice if you adjust the liquid and the cooking time to match.
Why use a natural release?
It helps the rice finish cooking gently and stay fluffy rather than mushy. A natural release lets the rice finish cooking gently in the residual heat, which keeps it fluffy and separate rather than mushy.
How do I keep the sauce creamy?
Stir in the cream and parmesan after cooking, off the heat, so the dairy melts in smoothly. Stirring the cream and parmesan in after cooking, off the heat, lets the dairy melt smoothly into a silky sauce instead of breaking or turning grainy.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Mixed vegetables are included, and broccoli, spinach, or peas all work well. Mixed vegetables are already in the pot, and broccoli, spinach, or peas all stir in nicely, so add whatever you love to round out the meal.
What if the rice is undercooked?
Set it to saute or pressure cook a couple more minutes with a splash of broth until tender. If the rice needs a little more time, a couple of minutes on saute or a short pressure cook with a splash of broth brings it to perfectly tender.
Can I make it on the stove?
Yes. Cook the chicken and rice in a covered pot with broth, then stir in the cream and parmesan. On the stove, cooking the chicken and rice in a covered pot with broth and then stirring in the cream and parmesan gives you the same cozy dish without a pressure cooker.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps for up to three days and reheats well with a splash of broth or milk. Because it reheats so well, it makes a great make ahead meal, returning to its creamy self with just a splash of broth or milk.
Can I freeze it?
Cream and rice can change texture when frozen, but it is doable. Thaw and reheat gently. It freezes reasonably well, though cream and rice can shift in texture, so thaw it gently and warm it slowly while stirring to bring it back together.
What can I serve with it?
A green vegetable or a simple salad balances the rich, creamy dish. A green vegetable or a simple salad balances the rich, creamy dish, adding a fresh, light contrast that rounds out the plate.
A Cozy One Pot Chicken Dinner
This creamy chicken and rice brings tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a creamy parmesan sauce together in one pot in about thirty minutes. It is comforting, satisfying, and easy to love. It brings tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a creamy parmesan sauce together in one pot in about half an hour, comforting, satisfying, and easy to love.
Add your favorite vegetables or extra cheese to make it your own, and finish with parsley and parmesan. It is a flexible, crowd pleasing dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Add your favorite vegetables or extra cheese to make it your own, and finish with parsley and parmesan for a flexible, crowd pleasing dinner on busy weeknights.
If you love creamy, comforting dishes like this, you will also enjoy our high protein creamy beef pasta, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Creamy Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- First, set the Instant Pot to saute.
- Toss in a glug of oil, then add the onions. Stir until they are soft and smelling amazing, about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Add cubed chicken and saute until it loses the pink color, seasoning with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Pour in the rice and broth, stirring to combine and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add frozen veggies straight from the bag. Pop the lid on and ensure it is sealed.
- Set to manual high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once done, let the pressure release naturally for 7 to 10 minutes before quick releasing any remaining pressure.
- Stir in cream and parmesan cheese until well combined and creamy.
Nutrition
Notes
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