Easy Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo
This Easy Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo recipe is ridiculously easy to make and unbelievably delicious! It has protein, vegetables, and grains cooked together in one pot. Ready in a flash! This one is definitely one to keep in your rotation.
Servings 6
Calories 467kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 boneless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, separated
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup green pepper, chopped into small cubes
- 1 cup red pepper, chopped into small cubes
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups white rice (uncooked - see notes)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 packet of seasoning with saffron or 1/2 teaspoon saffron (see notes)
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (corn, carrots, peas and green beans)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken with paprika, salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn on the Instant Pot ON and select "sauté", adjust to more. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the chicken and cook for 5 - 8 minutes or until chicken is lightly browned and no longer pink. Remove chicken from the Instant Pot and reserve.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the Instant Pot. Sauté onion, peppers, garlic, and green onion for 3-5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent. Add the uncooked rice and toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add chicken broth, deglaze the pot using a wooden utensil with a flat head to scrape all of the stuck bits off of the bottom of the pot. This step is very important to avoid getting the "BURN" message.
- After the pot is deglazed and there are no more stuck bits off of the bottom of the pot, add seasoning or saffron, frozen vegetables, and cooked chicken. Mix to combine. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Bring to a boil. Press "cancel". Secure the lid to the Instant Pot. Close the pressure release valve. Select "manual", or "pressure cook", and adjust the cooking time to 8 minutes.
- When the time is over, let the pressure release on its own for 5 minutes. Then, carefully turn the valve to "Venting," to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Then remove the lid. Press "cancel".
- Fluff arroz con pollo with a fork, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
IMPORTANT: In order to avoid getting the "BURN" message when making this recipe, it's essential that you deglaze the pot using a wooden utensil with a flat head to scrape all of the stuck bits off of the bottom of the pot (step 4). Also, If using newer versions of Instant Pot, I would recommend removing the inner pot after sautéing and letting it cool off for 5 to 10 minutes before moving on to the pressure cooking stage. This will help prevent a potential burn warning too.
Seasoning: To make this arroz con pollo recipe, I use Sazon Goya seasoning with Azafran (saffron). You can find this seasoning in any grocery store (international aisle). The box has eight individual packets; I use one packet per 2 cups of rice. If you don't find it or don't want to use this seasoning, you can also use one teaspoon of saffron, but in this case, make sure to add more salt and pepper to your taste.
Rice: Extra Long Grain Parboiled Rice is the best to make Arroz con Pollo. The cooked grains are drier and more separate, so it cooks light and fluffy.
For Stovetop Instructions, follow my Easy and Flavorful Arroz con Pollo recipe.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Add the cooled arroz con pollo into a freezer bag. Press out as much air as possible and seal. Freeze the rice for up to 3 months.
To reheat, transfer the rice to a microwave-safe bowl and sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water over the top. Cover loosely with a damp paper towel. Warm in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, until the grains are hot.
If you're making this recipe, please read the whole post content to get lots of tips, tricks, variations, frequently asked questions, and step-by-step photos.
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Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary depending on the products used.
Nutrition
Calories: 467kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 12g | Sugar: 3g