Instant Pot Smoky Mountain Casserole

Instant Pot Smoky Mountain Casserole–chicken and rice with three levels of smoke! There is so much flavor in this dish and it’s an easy dump and go recipe.

Pin this recipe for later!

Instant Pot Smoky Mountain Chicken and Rice

With smoked paprika, liquid smoke and smoky chipotle chiles in adobo sauce this chicken and rice dish has a ton of smoky flavor. It comes together quickly and is a dump and go recipe. Greg and I loved this one!

Ingredients

• Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
• Converted rice–or long grain white rice
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts–or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika–if you have a Winco look for this spice in the bulk bins for a super great price
• Liquid smoke–find this in the aisle next to the barbecue sauces
• Olive oil
• Chipotle chiles in adobo–these are smoked and dried jalapeños rehydrated and canned in a sweet and tangy purée of tomato, vinegar, garlic, and some other spices, for a sauce that packs lots of heat but with plenty of balance and body. If you don’t like heat then I would suggest only using one chipotle chile instead of 2.
• Cheddar cheese–I shred mind off the block and use sharp cheddar for more flavor. Try using a smoked cheddar for even more amazing smoky flavor

Instructions

1. Add broth and rice: Pour broth into Instant Pot. Sprinkle in the rice.
2. Season chicken: But the chicken across the grain into 1 inch strips. Place into a mixing bowl. Add in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, liquid smoke, olive oil and chipotle chiles. Stir to coat chicken evenly in seasonings. Add the chicken into the Instant Pot on top of the rice.
3. Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. 
4. Sprinkle the cheddar on top. Replace the lid and let the cheese melt for a few minutes on the keep warm setting. You can also let the cheese melt by placing an air fryer lid on top for a minute or two.
5. Serve and enjoy!

I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. But you can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.

What is liquid smoke?

Liquid smoke is a natural product made from condensing the smoke from burning wood. It adds lots of flavor to meat dishes. It is inexpensive and can be found in the aisle next to the barbecue sauces.

What is converted rice?

Converted rice is also called parboiled rice. Don’t confuse parboiled rice with pre-cooked or minute rice. Parboiled rice has been processed in its husk by soaking, steaming, and drying. As a result, all the nutrients from the husk are absorbed into the grain before it’s removed. The starch content alters in the process, making cooked parboiled rice less sticky than regular white rice. The rice kernels aren’t clumpy and glued together instead they are more separated. I found a bag of parboiled rice at Walmart next to the normal long grain white rice. I also sometimes buy the Uncle Ben’s brand or buy it in the bulk section at Winco.

Kinds of rice you can use

If you don’t have converted rice try using long grain white rice, jasmine or basmati rice.

Kinds of chicken you can use

I used sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can also use chicken tenderloins or sliced boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

How to cut the chicken

Make sure to cut the chicken across the grain so that the chicken can be as tender as possible. Slice across the grain in about 1 inch strips. All muscle has a grain to it. The placement of your knife to this grain will determine the length of the muscle fibers in an individual slice of meat, which in turn will have a profound effect on how tender or tough that meat is.

What to serve with smoky chicken and rice?

This dinner tastes amazing with roasted broccoli, asparagus or brussels sprouts.

How to store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Pin this recipe for later!

More Smoky Recipes…

Instant Pot Smoky Mountain Chicken

Instant Pot/Crockpot “Smoked” Pulled Pork

Instant Pot Next Level Bacon Mac

Instant Pot Chicken Tinga Tacos

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.

Pin this recipe for later!

Want More Tried And True Instant Pot Recipes?

• Sign up to receive daily Instant Pot recipes (it’s FREE)
• Join the 365 Days of Instant Pot Recipes Facebook group 
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel 
• Buy the 365 Days of Pressure Cooking Cookbook

Print

Pin this recipe for later!

*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.