Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice

Wooden spoon in instant pot filled with cajun chicken and rice.

Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice

Instant pot Cajun chicken and rice is a simple, delicious and flavorful dinner recipe that is ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights. This healthy recipe is gluten free, dairy free and great for meal prep.

Course dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Cajun chicken and rice instant pot, instant pot cajun chicken and rice, pressure cooker cajun chicken and rice

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 420kcal

Author Samantha Rowland

Cost $10.89 Recipe/$1.81 Serving

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 pound chicken thighs (boneless, skinless) $5.49
1.5 cups brown jasmine rice (or brown basmati rice) $0.70
2.25 cups water $0.00
2 cans dark red kidney beans (15 oz). $1.98
2 tbsp cajun seasoning $0.60
1 tsp sea salt $0.05
1/2 tbsp. red wine vinegar $0.10
1 tbsp coconut aminos $0.18
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes (14 oz). $1.29
1/2 cup frozen peas $0.25
1/4 cup chopped green onion $0.25

Instructions

Cut chicken thighs into 1-1.5 inch pieces and add them to the instant pot.
Rinse the rice (2-3 times) then add it to the instant pot.
Rinse the beans and add them to the instant pot along with the water, Cajun seasoning, salt, red wine vinegar and coconut aminos. Stir well.
Drain the tomatoes and add them to the top of the instant pot ingredients, do not stir.
Cook high pressure for 7 minutes, then allow the pressure to naturally release at least 10 minutes.
Once the pressure has been released, add the frozen peas and chopped green onion. Stir well and let sit 2-3 minutes to let the peas heat up.

Notes

Top tips

I recommend using jasmine rice or basmati rice as those cook up in the instant pot so well and don't get mushy. You can use white or brown jasmine or basmati rice.
Rinse the rice before adding it to the instant pot, this helps it from being too sticky and ensures it won't spew out of the pressure valve.
Don't stir in the tomato, simply leave it on the top of the chicken and rice to avoid the burn notice.
Cut the chicken into 1-1.5 inch bite size pieces to ensure the chicken will cook through and that the chicken is bite size for eating.
You can easily double this recipe in the instant pot without having to increase the cooking time. However when doubling the recipe, it may take a bit of extra time to come up to pressure since there is more in the instant pot.

Storing leftovers

Fridge: Store leftover instant pot Cajun chicken and rice store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Store leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing in single serving containers then once frozen, transfer those frozen cubes into freezer safe bags. Be sure to label the bags with name, date and use by date.

Nutrition