Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice–an easy Instant Pot dinner made with tender chicken thighs, perfectly cooked rice, parmesan cheese and savory herbs for a comforting meal.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice
I loved how creamy this chicken and rice turned out without using a can of cream of chicken soup. The chicken thighs stay perfectly moist and tender in the Instant Pot. Greg and Skyler both gave this one a big thumbs up. We all loved how the buttery flavor soaked into the rice. Don’t be surprised if you like the leftovers even more the next day…I actually think the flavors get even better after they’ve had a chance to meld together. Enjoy!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Butter
- Onion–or shallot
- Garlic
- Water
- Better Than Bouillon chicken base
- White wine vinegar–or lemon juice
- Converted rice–or long grain white rice (will be more sticky)
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs–or boneless skinless chicken breasts (will be less tender)
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Dried sage
- Dried rosemary
- Dried thyme
- Garlic powder
- Heavy cream–or half-and-half
- Parmesan cheese–or freshly grated Pecorino Romano
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the butter and let it melt. Add in the onion and saute for about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.

Pour in the water and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.

Add in the vinegar, rice, chicken, salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, thyme and garlic powder.

Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. when time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.

Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese.

Serve and enjoy!


Notes/Tips
- Serve with broccoli, asparagus or green beans.
- Try adding in 4 oz of mushrooms when you add in the onions. Another addition could be a ½ cup of frozen peas (add in after pressure cooking).
- This recipe is gluten free.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in an 4 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with parmesan cheese are Instant Pot Bacon Parmesan Spaghetti Squash and Olive Garden Lasagna Dip.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.


Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Rice
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus 5-10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
An easy Instant Pot dinner made with tender chicken thighs, perfectly cooked rice, parmesan cheese and savory herbs for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 1/4 cups water
- 1 Tbsp Better than Bouillon chicken base
- 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups converted rice
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried sage
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup dried parmesan
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the butter and let it melt. Add in the onion and saute for about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the water and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Add in the vinegar, rice, chicken, salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, thyme and garlic powder.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. when time is up let pot sit for 5-10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot
More chicken and rice recipes…
Avgolemono Soup
A creamy dreamy chicken, rice and lemon soup made in your Instant Pot or slow cooker.
Red Ashley’s Casserole
An easy slow cooker dump-and-go recipe with chicken, rice, cheddar, enchilada sauce and corn. Lots of flavor with little effort.
Pepper Jack Chicken Fajita Soup
Instant Pot or slow cooker soup loaded with tender chicken, rice, black beans and finished with melty pepper jack cheese.
Chicken Divan Casserole
A healthier, homemade chicken divan-esque casserole made in the Instant Pot.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.





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