Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice is the perfect one-pot meal that’s quick, flavorful, and packed with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a variety of vegetables. It's the ideal solution for busy weeknights or meal prep, and it's simple enough to whip up in just a fraction of the time compared to traditional fried rice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and a short cooking time, this Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice is ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner.
One-Pot Wonder: Everything is cooked in the Instant Pot, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
Customizable: You can easily swap out ingredients, such as using different vegetables, or changing the protein to suit your tastes.
Family-Friendly: The classic combination of chicken, rice, and vegetables is always a hit with both kids and adults, making it a great go-to family meal.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Vegetable oil
Eggs
Garlic
Chicken broth
Chicken breast
Carrots
Jasmine rice
Frozen green peas
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Green onion (optional, for garnish)
Hot sauce (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Scramble the Eggs: Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function and heat a bit of vegetable oil. Add your eggs and scramble them until fully cooked. Once done, set them aside on a plate.
Sauté the Garlic: In the same pot, add more vegetable oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant (about a minute).
Deglaze the Pot: Pour in a small amount of chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any stuck bits of garlic to avoid triggering the burn warning.
Layer Ingredients: Add the rest of the chicken broth, followed by the diced chicken, carrots, and rinsed rice. Press the rice down to ensure it’s submerged but avoid stirring.
Pressure Cook: Lock the lid in place, ensure the vent is set to sealing, and set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Once done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release for the remaining pressure.
Combine and Serve: Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil to coat the rice, followed by the peas and scrambled eggs. Let it sit with the lid askew for a few minutes to warm everything through. Serve with green onions and hot sauce if desired.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 4 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 minutes under pressure
Total Time: 36 minutes

Variations

Vegetarian Version: Omit the chicken and add extra vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms to create a delicious vegetarian dish.
Different Proteins: Instead of chicken, you can use shrimp, or even tofu to switch things up.
Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes, sriracha, or hot sauce to give the dish a spicy twist.
Brown Rice: Swap the jasmine rice for brown rice for a healthier option, though the cooking time will increase slightly.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store any leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a small splash of water to help loosen the rice and prevent it from drying out.

FAQs

1. Can I use leftover rice for this recipe?

No, this recipe is designed to cook rice in the Instant Pot, so using freshly cooked rice is recommended. Leftover rice might not absorb the flavors as well.

2. Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the chicken and increase the vegetables or use a plant-based protein.

3. How do I prevent the rice from being too mushy?

Be sure to measure the rice correctly and don't stir the rice before cooking. Keep the liquid-to-rice ratio as suggested in the recipe.

4. Can I freeze Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice?

Yes, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat thoroughly before eating.

5. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. It’s best to thaw chicken for even cooking.

6. What kind of rice works best?

Jasmine rice is ideal for this recipe, as it’s fragrant and fluffy. You can also use basmati or long-grain rice, but cooking times may vary.

7. Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely! Feel free to add any vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or peas. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times accordingly.

8. How can I make this spicier?

Add some chopped fresh chili, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of sriracha when serving to add some heat.

9. Can I use a different type of oil?

Yes, you can substitute vegetable oil with sesame oil or olive oil for a different flavor profile.

10. Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?

Yes! You can use shrimp, or tofu for a different twist on the dish.

Conclusion

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice is a perfect balance of convenience, flavor, and versatility. It’s a go-to meal that’s sure to please the whole family, whether you’re using it for a quick weeknight dinner or preparing it in advance for meal prep. Enjoy the savory goodness of this simple yet delicious dish!

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice

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Author: Emmily
Total Time: 36 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

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Description

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice is a quick and easy one-pot meal, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping. With tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a mix of vibrant vegetables, this dish is flavorful and customizable. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a family-friendly meal everyone will love.

Instructions

Instructions:

Scramble the Eggs: Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add vegetable oil and scramble the eggs until cooked through. Set aside.
Sauté the Garlic: In the same pot, add more oil and sauté the garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
Deglaze the Pot: Add a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any stuck bits.
Layer Ingredients: Add the rest of the chicken broth, diced chicken, carrots, and rinsed rice. Press the rice down to submerge it, but do not stir.
Pressure Cook: Lock the lid, ensure the vent is set to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest of the pressure.
Combine and Serve: Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, peas, and scrambled eggs. Let it sit with the lid askew for a few minutes to heat through. Garnish with green onions and hot sauce if desired.