Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole in the Pressure Cooker

Serves 6 in about 45 minutes. Tsp thyme leaves goes in first, and cheddar cheese finishes the pot.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 med onion, chopped
• 1 ½ lbs chicken breast, cubed
• 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt (or 3/4 tsp table salt)
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp thyme leaves (dried, not ground)
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 ½ cups long grain white rice, well rinsed
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth, low sodium
• 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 lbs frozen broccoli florets

Method

1. Turn on the Sauté setting. When it is hot, add the olive oil and butter.
2. Tip in the onion and cook for about 3 minutes, while stirring now and then, until starting to turn translucent.
3. Tip in the chicken. Scatter the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme over it. Stir. Cook, while stirring now and then, until just the outside of the chicken turns white.
4. Tip in the garlic and stir.
5. Tip in the rice and the broth. Do not stir. Gently press the rice and chicken into the broth, then put the lid on the pressure cooker and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
6. Turn off the Sauté setting.
7. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 3 minutes. High Pressure. The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
8. While the chicken and rice is cooking, run the frozen broccoli florets under hot water and drain. keep it nearby.
9. When the cook cycle has finished, turn off the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes (10 instant natural release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining steam/pressure.
10. When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
11. Mix in the cheese.
12. Tip in the broccoli florets, stir, and close the lid so it cooks in the residual heat of the rice/chicken.
13. Take the lid off and stir. Plate immediately. Makes good leftovers.

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.