Cheap Instant Pot Recipes
Sticking to a budget? Try our easy cheap Instant Pot recipes for quick, delicious weeknight dinners. Discover your new favorite meal
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice rinsed
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes undrained
- 1.5 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
- 0.5 cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Press the 'Sauté' button on your Instant Pot. Add olive oil and allow it to heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add chopped onion to the Instant Pot and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the bottom of the pot, scraping well with a wooden spoon to ensure no bits are stuck. This prevents a 'Burn' notice.
- Add the rinsed rice to the pot in an even layer. Do not stir. On top of the rice, add the undrained diced tomatoes, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Gently place the browned chicken pieces on top of the tomatoes. Do not stir the layers.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the sealing valve is in the 'Sealing' position. Select 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' and set the timer for 7 minutes on high pressure.
- Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully switch the sealing valve to 'Venting' for a quick release of any remaining pressure.
- Carefully open the lid. Stir in the frozen peas. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow peas to warm through. Fluff the rice with a fork, mix everything together, and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For an even more budget-friendly meal, use frozen mixed vegetables instead of just peas. You can also swap chicken thighs for chicken breasts, though thighs tend to be more flavorful and budget-friendly. This dish is great for meal prep and reheats well. Adjust spice levels to your preference.
