Description
This Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice recipe is a quick and flavorful one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, fluffy jasmine rice, fresh vegetables, and scrambled eggs, all cooked effortlessly using the Instant Pot. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers the classic fried rice taste with less oil and fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Eggs
- 2 eggs
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 2 green onions (optional, for garnish)
Pantry
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Hot sauce (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Scramble the Eggs: Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add vegetable oil and scramble the eggs until cooked through. Once done, remove the eggs and set them aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same pot, add a bit more vegetable oil if needed and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Deglaze the Pot: Pour in a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom to prevent burning during pressure cooking.
- Layer Ingredients: Add the remaining chicken broth, diced chicken breast, diced carrots, and rinsed jasmine rice into the pot. Press the rice down gently to submerge it under the liquid but do not stir.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes. After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
- Combine and Serve: Open the lid and stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, frozen green peas, and the previously scrambled eggs. Replace the lid slightly ajar and let the mixture sit for a few minutes to warm the peas and meld flavors. Garnish with chopped green onions and hot sauce if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Rinsing the jasmine rice removes excess starch, preventing the fried rice from becoming too sticky.
- Use fresh or frozen peas based on availability; frozen peas should be added just before finishing to keep their color and texture.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken breast with thigh for a juicier texture.
- You can adjust soy sauce quantity for preferred saltiness and use low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier option.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of grated ginger when sautéing garlic.
- Make sure to deglaze the Instant Pot thoroughly to avoid the burn warning during pressure cooking.
