Pressure Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice "Casserole"

With just 6 simple ingredients, this healthy chicken, broccoli and rice dish has all the comfort of a casserole, cooked in a pressure cooker. And still completely delicious!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1 10

Total Time 1 15

Servings

Calories 508kcal

Author Gary White

Ingredients

5 lb. whole chicken
6 cups water
4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 lbs. broccoli florets
3 cups rice
8 oz. cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

Place whole chicken in Instant Pot breast side up. Then add water, salt, and black pepper. Lock lid, close vent, and set manual timer for 30 minutes at high pressure.
Place broccoli florets in a large bowl and cover with cold water and allow to defrost completely. Obviously, this step is not necessary if using fresh broccoli. Then pour broccoli into a colander and allow to drain completely.
Once cook time is complete, allow pressure to release naturally (will take about 30 minutes). Then remove chicken from pot to a separate bowl. Be careful because it might be falling apart, which is good!
Pass broth through a fine mesh strainer and return to pressure cooker. Add broccoli to pot and set manual timer for 0 (zero) minutes. Once cook time is complete, quick-release pressure. Pour broccoli into a fine mesh strainer, making sure to reserve all the broth.
For white rice… Return broth to pot, along with rice, and cook for 4 minutes at high pressure. Once cook time is complete, quick-release pressure.
For brown rice… Return broth to pot, along with rice, and cook for 20 minutes at high pressure. Once cook time is complete, quick-release pressure.
Meanwhile… remove all chicken meat in large pieces. Discard skin and bones.
Add chicken, broccoli, and cheese to pot and mix well. Serve & enjoy!

Notes

This recipe will not actually make a casserole, it’s more the idea of a casserole. There will be some broth in your bowl. But the longer it sits, the more the rice will absorb the remaining liquid.
For larger pieces of chicken, tear the chicken into pieces with two forks. For smaller pieces of chicken, shred your chicken with a hand mixer. To do so, tear pieces into chunks and place in a large, deep bowl. Press beaters of the hand mixer into the meat and turn on to low, letting the beaters pull the chicken apart.
Zero minutes really is enough time to cook the broccoli. The broccoli cooks as it is coming up to pressure. If your pressure cooker does not have a zero minute option, you can try one minute.
We've been asked if you have to use a whole chicken for this recipe. Well, the short answer is: no. You do not have to use a whole chicken. However, using a whole chicken is the best way to make an amazing broth – which is what makes this recipe amazing. Since you cook both the rice and broccoli in the broth, I highly recommend taking the extra step of making your own broth. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Nutrition