Name: Instant Pot Lemon Basil Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 Tablespoon olive oil; salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon dried basil; 1 Tablespoon butter; 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice (uncooked); 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 Tablespoon lemon juice; 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)

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This 20-minute Instant Pot Lemon Basil Chicken and Rice delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The bright citrus notes and aromatic basil transform ordinary chicken and rice into an unforgettable weeknight dinner.

Perfect for busy families, this protein-packed meal offers 19g of protein per serving while keeping preparation time to just 5 minutes. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, infusing every grain of rice with savory flavors while ensuring the chicken stays tender and juicy.

Ingredients

Chicken: 1.5 pounds boneless skinless breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Oil & Butter: 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter for perfect sautéing
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, 1/4 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil
Rice: 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, unrinsed for better texture
Liquid Base: 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Fresh Elements: 1 Tablespoon lemon juice and 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Season bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried basil
Initial Sauté: Heat oil in Instant Pot on sauté mode, quickly cook chicken for 1 minute on all sides
Set Chicken Aside: Remove partially cooked chicken to a plate while preparing other ingredients
Deglaze Pot: Add butter and scrape bottom with wooden spoon to release flavorful bits
Layer Ingredients: Add rice, broth, lemon juice, then place chicken on top
Pressure Cook: Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes, followed by 10 minutes natural release
Final Touch: Add fresh basil and gently fluff rice with fork before serving

Cooking Techniques

The magic of this recipe comes from two simple but smart steps. First, quickly browning the chicken adds a lovely flavor to the dish – just a quick sear does the trick!

Then, scraping up those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pot (we call this “deglazing”) with butter makes sure none of that flavor goes to waste. These little steps make a big difference in creating a super tasty meal!

Variations & Substitutions

Want to switch things up? Try brown rice instead of white rice (just increase cooking time to 22 minutes), or swap chicken thighs for chicken breast for extra flavor. No fresh basil? Use 1 teaspoon dried basil in the rice.

You can also add some veggies like frozen peas or small broccoli florets right on top of the rice before cooking. For extra lemon flavor, add some lemon zest along with the juice!

Storage Tips

This lemon basil chicken and rice stays good in the fridge for up to 4 days in a sealed container. When reheating, splash a tiny bit of water or chicken broth over the rice to bring back its moisture, then warm it in the microwave. The flavors actually get even better the next day as everything mingles together!

Serving Suggestions

This dish shines as a complete meal on its own, but you can make it even better! Try serving it with a simple green salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. A side of roasted asparagus or green beans would be lovely too. Want to make it extra special? Sprinkle some toasted pine nuts on top, or add a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.