Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice is a quick, easy, and cheesy one-pot meal ready in under 30 minutes. The rice soaks up all the chicken juices as it cooks, making every bite tasty!
This instant pot dish is like chicken and rice casserole made in one pot. It is spicy, cheesy, and so flavorful! Once you've prepped the ingredients, it mostly cooks itself and turns out perfect every time.
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Reasons to Love This Dish
- Spicy, cheesy, and bursting with bold flavor
- Quick and easy—ready in the pressure cooker
- Cozy, comforting, and perfect for any busy night
- Packed with flavor, hearty, and satisfying
- Perfect for piling on your favorite Mexican toppings
Ingredients you'll need to make Mexican rice with chicken
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Rice - I prefer to use basmati or jasmine rice.
- Chicken - I like to use thighs for their juicy tenderness, but feel free to use any type of chicken—breast, thigh meat, or tenders.
- Cheese - Mexican blend cheese which includes Montery jack, Cheddar, Asadero and Queso cheeses, melts into the rice, adding more deliciousness. If you don't have it on hand, then equal parts of Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses work well.
- Corn - You can use either frozen or fresh corn kernels. If you're using frozen corn, there's no need to thaw it beforehand.
- Salsa - It gives Mexican rice it's flavor! Be sure to choose your favorite salsa for the best taste!
- Lemon - A dash of fresh lemon juice at the end adds a refreshing zing.
- Chicken stock - I prefer using stock with 33% reduced sodium to control the salt level. If you opt for a different stock variety, adjust seasoning according to your taste.
- Cilantro - Chopped fresh cilantro adds a burst of flavor, vibrant color in the instant pot Mexican rice and is a must in all authentic Mexican dishes.
- Taco seasoning - I always love to use my homemade chicken taco seasoning recipe to make a tasty chicken & rice. However, feel free to use your favorite store-bought taco seasoning.
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 to 5 boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite size chunks
- 1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning Click link for my favorite recipe
Group-1
- 1 cup Basmati rice rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn frozen or fresh
- 1 cup chicken stock I used 33% reduced sodium
- ½ cup salsa
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Group-2
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend more for topping
- ¾ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat instant pot to saute. When hot, add oil followed by chopped onions and garlic. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add chicken, taco seasoning and give a good stir. Continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Tip: Don't skip this step! Cooking the spices and chicken in oil develops tons of flavor.
- Press cancel and add all group-1 ingredients. Mix well, close and lock lid, making sure that the valve is set to seal.
- Pressure cook at high pressure for 3 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes.
- Turn knob to venting position to release the remaining pressure. Open lid and gently stir in group-2 ingredients.
- Sprinkle more cheese on top (use as much or as little as you like), close lid and let rest for 2 to 4 minutes for the cheese to melt.
- Spoon into serving bowls, load up on your favorite toppings and enjoy!Topping ideas - Avocado, cilantro, sour cream, pico de gallo, salsa, sliced jalapenos or cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
How to make Mexican Chicken and Rice in the Instant Pot (step-by-step photos)?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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Step 7 - Stir in Mexican blend cheese, cilantro and lemon juice.
How to Serve?
While this Mexican rice dish is delicious by itself, adding a few burrito bowl toppings takes it to a whole new level. Here are some of our favorite topping ideas:
- Avocado - Sliced or chopped ripe avocado or guacamole.
- Sauce - Pico de Gallo or more salsa.
- Lettuce: Chopped romaine lettuce is an excellent option because it is crisp and has a mild flavor.
- Black beans: It adds more protein and heartiness to the dish.
- Jalapenos - More heat ain't gonna hurt! Be sure to check out my favorite collection of spicy dinner recipes for more inspiration.
- Sour cream - Adds creaminess and cuts down the heat.
How to store?
Any leftovers may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave with additional cheese on top, until steaming hot .
Tip: If you are meal prepping, then omit the cheese in the recipe. Refrigerate or freeze in individual containers, stir in shredded cheese mixture before heating in the microwave, to make cheesy Mexican rice.
Looking for more chicken & rice dishes? Try my pesto chicken rice or the instant pot chicken fried rice.
Recipe tips
- Rice - After rinsing in a strainer, allow the rice to sit for a couple of minutes to drain excess water. This step is crucial not only for cleaning the rice but also for reducing excess starch, resulting in a less mushy texture.
- Stock - I used 33% less sodium chicken stock . If using regular sodium or salt free stock, then adjust salt accordingly.
- Salt -The amount of salt needed varies based on the type of stock and salsa you use, as well as your personal taste preferences. Adjust the seasoning accordingly.
- Make it more spicy - Add chopped jalapeños along with the onion and garlic and use a spicy salsa.
- Adjust taco seasoning based on your preference.
More Easy Mexican Food Ideas
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Kitchen at Hoskins on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
Sounds yummy and perfect for a weeknight family meal! Yum!!
T
big step left out after adding the 2nd list of ingredients.... no mention of how long to cook when rice is added. also, not enough liquid for one cup of rice.
it was a miss over here tonight.
Maria Doss
Hi, Step 4 mentions, "Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes, then allow for a 10-minute natural release." We're really sorry the recipe didn’t work for you! We’d suggest trying it again with an additional 1/2 cup of stock if you prefer your rice softer - Maria