Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice is a simple yet flavorful one-pot meal that brings the delicious flavors of the Mediterranean right to your table. Juicy chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a blend of herbs and spices make this dish a family favorite. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor—perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Mediterranean Delight: Enjoy the aromatic flavors of Greece right in your home kitchen.
- Ready In Minutes: The Instant Pot makes this a stress-free, quick an easy meal.
- Nutritious and Delicious: This recipe combines protein-rich chicken with wholesome rice.
If you love Greek food be sure to try out our Instant Pot Feta Cheese Pasta Salad and Instant Pot Greek Hummus recipe.
📋 Ingredients
You won't need a lot for this recipe, but it's jam packed with flavor! Here's what you'll need:
- Precooked Chicken: Rotisserie chicken brings in the extra flavor.
- Rice: Serves as a neutral base, soaking up all the flavors in the dish while providing a satisfying, starchy component.
- Fresh Veggies: Zucchini, squash, and tomatoes add a Mediterranean touch, lending their distinct textures and flavors to the dish.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled on top for a creamy finish that contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Seasonings: Oregano and thyme sprigs infuse the dish with aromatic, earthy flavors typical of Greek cuisine.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Protein Options: Experiment with using chicken thighs instead of breasts for richer flavor, or try a mix of chicken and lamb for a more robust Mediterranean twist.
- Grain Alternatives: Swap traditional white rice with brown rice or quinoa to boost fiber and protein, or even combine grains for varied textures and nutritional benefits.
- Flavor Enhancements: Increase the Mediterranean flair by adding ingredients such as Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, or a sprinkle of crumbled feta. Adjust the herbs with extra oregano, lemon zest, or a splash of olive oil to brighten the dish.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Greek Chicken And Rice Bowls
- First, chop up your veggies. In your inner pot, add rice, water, squash, oregano, thyme, and zucchini.
- Next, set your valve on top of the lid to the "sealing" position. Then, press the "pressure cook" or "manual" button and set your Instant Pot for 4 minutes.
- After the Instant Pot beeps, allow it to sit there for 5 minutes and then release the pressure.
- Add the precooked chicken and tomatoes. You can turn on the sauté mode to warm the chicken up if you need to.
- Serve this delicious Greek chicken and rice topped with feta cheese.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Along the way, I've used a few tips and tricks to make cooking this recipe even easier. Keep the following in mind:
- Don't stir the rice! Any rice can get the burn notice. Just allow the rice to be pushed down into the liquid, but don't stir it to the bottom.
- Cook chicken along side rice and veggies. If you don't have precooked chicken, you can cook your own Instant Pot Poached Chicken in a few minutes.
- Naturally release the pressure. Because you are putting a lot of water in the Instant Pot, letting it naturally release for 5 minutes will prevent any fluids from spewing out of the valve.
💭 FAQs
Allow the Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness.
For longer storage, consider freezing individual portions in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Ensure the food is cooled completely before freezing, and it can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Feta cheese is what makes this recipe Greek! It’s brined curd white cheese made from sheep and goats milk. If you aren’t fond of the flavor or texture, you can substitute with mozzarella cheese.
Absolutely! Adding lemon juice to your Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice can enhance the overall flavor profile, providing a refreshing citrusy zing.
Yes, you can absolutely use brown rice in your Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice recipe. Here are a few adjustments you might want to consider when using brown rice: You’ll need to pressure cook for 20 minutes. Brown rice also absorbs more water than white rice so you’ll need to add an extra ½ cup of water for every cup of brown rice.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Greek Chicken and Rice:
- Greek Salad: Prepare a classic Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata Olives, and feta cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle oregano for an authentic touch.
- Hummus: Serve Hummus alongside pita bread or fresh vegetable sticks. The chickpea dip complements the Mediterranean theme and adds a delightful creamy texture.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roast seasonal vegetables like Bell Peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, and oregano. This brings in a variety of textures and flavors.
- Herbed Couscous or Quinoa: Prepare a side of couscous or Quinoa seasoned with herbs like parsley and mint. These grains complement the main dish while offering additional protein and fiber.
- Grilled Asparagus: Grill or Steam Asparagus Spears with olive oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a tasty and nutritious side dish.
- Dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves): For an extra authentic touch, Serve Dolma, which are grape leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, pine nuts, and herbs.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rice
- 2 ½ cups Water
- 1 Zucchini Sliced
- 1 Yellow Squash Sliced
- 2 Roma Tomatoes Diced
- ⅓ cup Feta Cheese
- 2 sprigs of oregano
- 3 Sprigs Thyme
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken Shredded
Instructions
- In your inner pot, add rice, water, squash, oregano, thyme, and zucchini.
- Press pressure cook or manual button and set to 4 minutes.
- Once the instant pot stops counting it will beep and start counting up. Leave it for 5 minutes then release pressure.
- Once the pressure is released stir in precooked chicken and tomatoes.
- Serve topped with feta cheese and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Chicken Recipes:
You can do so many things with chicken. From Chinese to Mexican, here are some of my other favorite chicken recipes!
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