Instant Pot Chicken Rice Bowls–An easy dump and go recipe with chicken, rice (of your choice), enchilada sauce, black beans and spices. This is a perfect dinner for a busy weeknight or a good option to pack in individual containers for lunches during the week.
Instant Pot Chicken Rice Bowls
This is a dump and go recipe with a short list of ingredients needed. I love these types of recipes. I have been really busy the past few days and needed something that I could throw in the pot and walk away. These Instant Pot chicken rice bowls fit the bill. Plus there were leftovers so I can have lunch at the ready for me today! Winning.
If you like to prep lunches for the week this would be a good choice. Make a batch of this rice and chicken and pack it into containers. Add a dollop of sour cream and a little bit of cheese and you’re ready to go.
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Instant Pot Cheesy Beef Rice Casserole
What Pressure Cooker Did You Use?
To make Instant Pot Chicken Rice Bowls I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. I love this Instant Pot because it has the yogurt making function which I use almost weekly. It has two pressure settings (high and low), and there are also little slots in the handles so that you can rest the lid there instead of putting it down on your counter-top.
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Instant Pot Chicken Rice Bowls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
An easy dump and go recipe with chicken, rice (of your choice), enchilada sauce, black beans and spices. This is a perfect dinner for a busy weeknight or a good option to pack in individual containers for lunches during the week.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups uncooked long grain brown rice
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce (mild, medium or hot)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts (frozen is okay)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- Toppings: sour cream, grated cheese, cilantro
Instructions
- Add rice and water into the Instant Pot. Pour the enchilada sauce and beans over the top. Don’t stir. Place the chicken on the top. Sprinkle the chicken with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and cumin.
- Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 22 minutes. When the time is up let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Use tongs to place chicken on a cutting board. Shred the chicken and then stir it back in with the rice.
- Scoop rice and chicken into bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream, a couple tablespoons or grated cheese and some cilantro.
Notes
Rice: I used brown rice. You can use other types of rice but you’ll need to adjust the water and the cooking time. Check the rice cooking time chart below for the rice that you want to use and then subtract ¼ cup to ½ cup of the water depending on how saucy you want it. For example usually I use 1 cup brown rice to 1.25 cups of water but in this recipe I used 1.25 cups of rice to 1.25 cups of water. You’ll also need to adjust if you use frozen chicken or thawed chicken. If the rice requires less than 10 minutes of cooking time then you’ll need to use thawed chicken that is cut into pieces. Otherwise the chicken won’t cook all the way through.
Chicken: I used boneless chicken thighs. They get really tender and stay moist. Chicken breasts work too although they won’t be as tender. You can also use bone-in chicken if you prefer.
Gluten Free: This recipe can easily be made gluten free. Old El Paso’s Enchilada Sauce is naturally gluten-free and only contains soy as a potential allergen. This product is not manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free factory, so those with an extreme sensitivity should proceed cautiously.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
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After reading numerous comments about getting the burn error, here’s what I did differently: Added the 1 1/4 cups of water in first, then only 1 cup of rinsed brown rice instead of 1 1/4 cups. Next added Pace picante sauce since I didn’t have any enchilada sauce, then just 1 lb. of frozen chicken breast instead of 1 1/2 lbs. Like the recipe says, don’t stir. It came to pressure without an issue. Once done, added a can of drained corn. Topped with pickled jalapeno slices and cheddar. It would be better with the sour cream and cilantro, but didn’t have any. Hope this helps other who have had the burn error experience.
That’s a great breakdown of what worked to avoid the burn notice, and I really appreciate you sharing it so others can benefit. Your version sounds delicious too!
Bland 🙁 I even upped the seasoning bc it seemed like not enough
I substituted salsa verde for the enchilada sauce and chicken stock for half of the water and it was perfect.
Love those ideas Dennis!
Major fail for me. Followed instructions and got the burn notice. That’s only happened to me twice (including this time) in 5 years of owning one. Kicking myself for not seeing the reviews. Recipe also doesn’t say whether you use the high or low pressure setting. (I used high, not sure if that’s the common thread in the burns?) Seems like the recipe should be retested and updated.
This was so very good once I got everything done. I made this for a family gathering with an expected serving time of 4:00 pm. We actually ate at 5:30. I’ve been Instant Pot cooking for several years now and this is the very first time I got the burn notice. I doubled the recipe and I’m not sure if the frozen chicken weighed down the rice or what. Had to release what pressure accumulated about every 10 minutes to stir and start over. Eventually everything got done and my family swooned over the flavors. I’ll give it one more try and see if I can make it work.
I’m sorry about the burn notice. It may have had to do with doubling the recipe…not exactly sure!
That was delicious. My enchilada sauce was a very runny one so maybe that’s why I did not have any burn issues like some other commenters. I used bone in legs and thighs as that is what I had. Put them in frozen. Loved it. Thanks!
So glad it worked out for you!
I would use basmati rice next time.
Quick, Easy, Tasty.
Thanks for the review Lance!
Tastes pretty good. But after 3 burn notices (adding water every time, even dumping it into another bowl to clean out the burn and starting over, then burn again) I will not be making this again. It’s too bad.
I mixed like other people said, added extra water and still got a burn notice. Its 6:30, my kids are hungry (I usually feed them at 5:30), and I’m disappointed.
Got the burn food notice! Tried to add more water and got it again. Had to finish in a pan out the stove. I just bought my instant pot today and this was the first recipe I tried. I guess I learnt my lesson to read reviews on receipts before trying.
Yum!!! Talk about easy and delicious! I put sc and cheese with mine and the hubs put hot sauce for some kick! Also added one more can of black beans! So good!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Sounds like a great version! Thanks for coming back and giving it 5 stars!
We really enjoyed this recipe! I didn’t have enchilada sauce so I used thick salsa and watered it down a bit. I also added some extra spices like garlic and chili powder and I stirred all the ingredients well before adding the frozen chicken on top. That may have helped avoid any potential burn notices that others have experienced. I’ll certainly make it again. I think corn or kidney beans would be great in it too. Thanks for the easy one pot recipe!
Good tips thanks Faith!
Got the burn food message. Followed the recipe and it didn’t work. The bottom of the rice was burned and I still had liquid in there. I would not listen to the part that said don’t mix it and mix everything and add enough water to cover all the food fully. So now that I wasted all this food I will not be using this again.
How would I adjust the time if I used like 4 lbs of chicken?
Should be same time regardless of how much food is in there!
made it as directed and got the burn notice. will not be making this recipe again.
I just purchased an 8qt instant pot. Can I make the recipe as is or do I need to add more liquid?
It should be fine! You may want to add just a quarter cup more.
We love this recipe! I made it for a family and they asked me for the recipe but don’t have an instant pot. Is there a crock pot version for the Chicken Rice Bowls? Thanks!
Hi Rachel, I haven’t tried this one in the crockpot yet but I bet you could do it with good results! I would toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until rice is cooked through.
Thank you so much!
I am 40+ weeks pregnant and meal prepping for after the baby. I picked out 3 recipes and I was able to get everything I needed for all 3 for under $30.
This was the first recipe and it came out so good. I love how its not enough to feed an army but enough to have a meal with some left overs for later.
I did not get a burn notice but I did notice my pot loss pressure at exactly 1 minute left. I used white long grain rice and boneless skinless chicken thighs. Cooked manual for 12 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes. Everything was cooked and came out great!
Again thank you! I am looking forward to the other 2 recipes. You have definitely made this soon to be new mama’s life easier
Good luck and congrats! This might be helpful to you too: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/3-dump-and-go-instant-pot-freezer-meals/
Made this today and delicious!
I used salsa instead of enchilada sauce.
I did stir my rice with water a bit and I did not get burn notice.
Will definitely be making again.
Good idea with the salsa! I bet it was tasty Pam.
I also made this recipe. It was easy, quick and cleanup was fast. I also used Salsa (medium). No burn notice, brown rice. I didn’t have cilantro (which would have been grand) but I did add avocado chunks. I will make this again.
I love the idea of avocado!!
Followed exactly got the burn notice. Disappointing recipe.
Sorry that you had trouble: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/the-instant-pot-burn-message/
I am confused about the cooking times when switching the type of rice. I am using Jasmine rice- so i cook everything for 4 minutes instead of 22? Thanks! I am excited to try this recipe on a busy work day this week.
Yes use the 4 minutes cooking time and cut the chicken into bite size pieces before pressure cooking.
Can you use frozen chicken? If so, does the cook time vary by much?
yes you can use frozen chicken, keep the same cooking time.
Could you put in dried beans instead of canned? Would I need to add more liquid?
This was delicious! I stirred in a drained can of corn when it was done. Ate it on some lettuce wraps to increase my veggie intake. My husband ate it as is. We topped with cheddar and sour cream. 😋
I love the idea of lettuce wraps!
Great recipe! Thank you for sharing it.
Glad you liked it!
Yummy!!! Hubby said it would make a good filling for enchiladas or burritos. Lots of things could be added to this or used as toppings.
So glad you liked it!
I want to use kidney beans. Will this work.
Do I use the canned kidney beans and just drain
Thanks M
Yep that’s exactly what I’d do.
My family tried this tonight. SO Easy!! Very good. We spiced up our bowls with cilantro, cheese and jalapeno slices. Delicious! Everyone voted to have it again.
So glad to hear this!
I’m not a big fan of enchilada sauce but love anything with rice and chicken. Do you have any other suggestion for replacing the sauce?
what about a green salsa?
I was going to ask the same queztion, so thank you! I will use a jar of salsa.
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT RECIPE! Made it for dinner today after work and it was a hit for everyone. Thanks so much! Will pin and definitely make again. 👌🏼👍🏼
So glad you liked it!
Could you add to recipes if you can double these recipes for the 6 qt in the Instant Pot?
I would like to double this recipe but have a 6 qt
I will try to do that. I bet you could 1 1/2 times this recipe in the 6 quart.
This recipe tastes delicious but I also had to finish cooking it in the oven because of the burn notice. It was my first ever burn notice 🙁 the rice all burnt at the bottom .
WAH!!! No!!!
I got the BURN error too…. any idea why? I have the 8qt and doubled the recipe – I used white rice and didn’t rinse it first 🤷♀️ 😩
What ratio of white rice to water did you use?
I got the burn notice too and would love any ideas to avoid. I did jasmine rice and added 2 cups rice, 3 cups water and 2 cans of enchilada sauce.
I just got a BURN notice too! 😱
It says “cover the top then seal the lid” Do you mean to put the cover in and seal or should you cover the top of the food with something inside the pot?
I just changed it to read cover the instant pot and secure the lid. Meaning just put the lid on the instant pot and lock it into place.
I love your site and recipes!! I have made several things and they have all been a hit with my family. Can’t wait to try this one.
Thank you very much for what you do.
Kymber
I’m so happy to hear this Kymber. Thank you!
Could I double the recipe in an 8 quart pot? Would it take longer to cook ?
Yes you can double. It will take a little bit more time to come to pressure. you can offset that though by adding in hot water instead of cold or luke warm water.
could I just use cauliflower rice and mix in with other ingredients because I’m trying to stay on low-carb diet thank you
I am honestly not sure how cauliflower rice would work with this. You could give it a shot!
I tried to make this in my Instant, but it kept shutting off due to burning of the rice. I ended up finishing it in a casserole dish in the microwave. Otherwise, it tasted great with salsa and sour cream on top.
Darn! Did you stir the enchilada sauce or just dump it on top?
How much water for 1 1/4 cup long grain white rice? (I couldn’t find the rice chart ‘below’ you referenced)
How did I forget to insert that? I’ve just added it. Sorry about that.
Where is the rice cooking time chart?
I’ve just added it in…silly me!!!
This looks awesome and I’d love to try it. One question though…The recipe mentions a rice time cooking chart, but I don’t see any chart. Can you add it please as this sounds like a really helpful resource.
I’m stupid and forgot to insert it…just corrected it!!!
I don’t have enchilada sauce but I do have a can of Rotel. Do you think that’s an okay sub? Thank you in advance for any reply you can offer!!
I bet rotel would give flavor. It won’t be as saucy and coated but I bet it will be good. Give it a shot!
How long should you cook it in an 8 quart instant pot?
Same time.
how long do I cook it for if i’m doubling up on everything?
same time https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/how-to-double-instant-pot-recipes/
I am curious: Why “don’t stir”?
Sometimes if the thicker tomato based products are on the bottom of the pot you get a burn notice.