Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken and Rice

This Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken and Rice is made with boneless chicken thighs and topped with artichokes, olives, and lots of lemon!

The Instant Pot is perfect for preparing healthy meals like this Mediterranean Chicken and Rice. This dish is ready fast, flavorful, and ready in only 30 minutes!

The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that became wildly popular in recent years and for good reason. It cooks many of our favorite dishes in a fraction of the time, making it a great choice for weeknight dinners.

I don't use my Instant Pot everyday, but I love to utilize it for meals that contain rice, or any type of grain, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time.

An added bonus is that everything made in an Instant Pot cooks at the same time, making it a one pot meal. I'm all for anything that reduces the amount of dishes that need to be washed afterward.

This recipe is made with boneless chicken thighs that are sautéed in olive oil, along with long grain white rice, garlic, onions, and spices. Once the chicken and rice are finished cooking, they're topped with a vibrant mixture made with artichokes, olives, and lemon zest.

Jump to:

• What Are Mediterranean Flavors?
• Ingredients For Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken
• Can You Cook Raw Chicken and Rice At The Same Time?
• Are Thighs Better Than Breasts In The Instant Pot?
• How Long Does Mediterranean Chicken Take To Cook?
• How To Make The Artichoke and Olive Topping
• What To Serve With Mediterranean Chicken and Rice
• How Long Does Chicken and Rice Last In The Fridge?
• Can It Be Frozen?
• Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken and Rice

What Are Mediterranean Flavors?

'Mediterranean' is a general term used to describe cuisines that originated in countries that border the Mediterranean sea like Greece, Spain, Italy, and Morocco.

Mediterranean cuisine is composed of simple ingredients like vegetables, grains, fish, and spices. It's a healthy cuisine full of bright and balanced flavors.

Common ingredients used in Mediterranean cuisines include rice, legumes, nuts, seeds, yogurt, fish, seafood, olive oil, lemons, vegetables, olives, herbs, and spices like rosemary and oregano.

This recipe is inspired by the Mediterranean cuisine and made using only a few ingredients, but full of flavor. It's also naturally gluten and dairy free.

Ingredients For Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 6 cloves Garlic
• 1 Onion (any color)
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 ½ lbs. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs (equals 5-6 chicken thighs)
• ¾ tsp. each Kosher Salt and Pepper (split)
• 2 tsp. Smoked Paprika (can sub regular paprika)
• 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
• 1 ½ cups Long Grain White Rice
• 1 ½ cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 12 oz. Marinated Artichoke Hearts
• 1 cup Pitted Kalamata Olives (chopped)
• 2 Lemons (zest and juice)
• Fresh Herbs for garnish (optional)

Can You Cook Raw Chicken and Rice At The Same Time?

As mentioned, one of the great things about the Instant Pot is that it can cook both rice and meat at the same time, eliminating the need for multiple pots, pans, and kitchen appliances.

It allows raw chicken and rice to cook together quickly, resulting in a meal that is ready at the same time.

For optimal flavor, the chicken thighs are sautéed in olive oil in the Instant Pot. They are then removed and the garlic and onions are sautéed in the olive oil and the fat that is rendered from the chicken thighs.

The rice is added to the pressure cooker, along with some spices and chicken broth. The seared chicken thighs are returned to the Instant Pot and the dish then cooks altogether.

1. The first step is to mince 6 cloves of garlic and 1 onion (any color).
2. Sprinkle ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper over 1 ½ lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
3. Turn the Instant Pot on and hit the 'Sauté' button.
4. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil to the Instant Pot.
5. Once the oil is heated, add the chicken thighs (salt and pepper side down) to the Instant Pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
6. Sprinkle the second side of the chicken thighs with another ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper. Flip and sauté for 2-3 minutes on the second side. Remove from the Instant Pot and set aside.
7. Add the minced garlic and onions to the Instant Pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
8. Add 1 ½ cups long grain white rice to the Instant Pot, along with 2 tsp. smoked paprika (or regular paprika), 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, and ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking.
9. Pour 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth into the Instant Pot and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
10. Return the seared chicken thighs to the Instant Pot. Turn the Instant Pot off and then turn it back on. Press the 'Manual' button and set the timer for 16 minutes.

Are Thighs Better Than Breasts In The Instant Pot?

I prefer chicken thighs to chicken breasts when it comes to the Instant Pot. Chicken thighs are much higher in fat and do not dry out easily, as is the case with chicken breasts.

The fat from the chicken thighs provides great flavor to this meal. It helps to ensure that the chicken is moist and the rice is not dry after cooked.

I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs to make this recipe, but you can use bone-in chicken thighs if you prefer. I recommend removing the skin if using bone-in chicken thighs, as it does not become crispy when cooked in the Instant Pot.

I do not recommend using chicken breasts to make this dish, as the cooking times between the two differ and chicken breasts are likely to dry out.

How Long Does Mediterranean Chicken Take To Cook?

It takes roughly 18 minutes of cooking time to make this Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken and Rice.

Once the Instant Pot is sealed, it takes a few minutes to pressurize and I like to allow for 5 minutes of natural pressure release after it has completely cooked.

1. After the 16 minutes of cooking time is finished, allow the Instant Pot to release naturally for 5 minutes.
2. Release the pressure valve after 5 minutes.

The chicken should be fully cooked (the safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit and may be checked using a food thermometer if you are unsure).

The rice should be fully cooked as well at this time.

Love chicken? Check out these recipes!

• Skillet Chicken Parmesan
• Crockpot Shredded Buffalo Chicken
• Thai Chicken Kebabs
• Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes
• Gluten Free Chicken Stew
• Dutch Oven Chicken Noodle Soup

How To Make The Artichoke and Olive Topping

The chicken and rice is garnished with a zesty artichoke and olive topping after it has finished cooking.

The great thing about this topping is that it can be prepared while the chicken and rice are cooking in the Instant Pot and it provides the dish with a ton of extra flavor.

It's made using only marinated artichoke hearts, pitted Kalamata olives, lemon zest, and a pinch of kosher salt and pepper.

The lemon and artichokes provide a bright acidity to the dish and the olives give it a briny flavor that helps to wake the whole thing up.

Both artichoke hearts and Kalamata olives may be found in the Mediterranean foods section of your local grocery store or purchased online.

1. To make the topping, chop 12 oz. of marinated artichokes into halves or thirds.
2. Slice 1 cup of pitted Kalamata olives.
3. Place the chopped artichokes and olives into a small bowl and add the zest of 1 lemon using a Microplane.
4. Add a pinch of kosher salt and pepper to the bowl and stir the mixture until completely combined.

What To Serve With Mediterranean Chicken and Rice

Once the chicken, rice, and topping are finished, it's time to serve.

1. Simply serve desired amount of the chicken and rice with a generous portion of the artichoke and olive mixture spooned over the top.
2. Cut a few lemons into wedges and squeeze the lemon over the top of the dish.
3. Feel free to garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives (this step is optional).

Feel free to use only marinated artichokes or Kalamata olives if you don't care for the two of them together.

Alternately, you can substitute any type olives you like, such as green olives or Castelvetrano olives.

Roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, capers, or any type of Italian relish may be used in place of, or in addition to the artichokes and olives.

Feel free to to this dish with Parmesan or Romano cheese, or feta cheese if you like.

I love meals like this one served with a bright salad like this Italian green bean salad, marinated tomato salad, or pickled beet salad.

A simple Caesar or Greek salad is also a nice pairing.

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How Long Does Chicken and Rice Last In The Fridge?

Any leftover Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken and Rice may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Be sure to allow the chicken and rice to cool completely before transferring to the fridge for storage.

It's best to store the chicken and rice and the artichoke and olive topping separately. Add the topping right before serving to prevent the dish from getting soggy.

Can It Be Frozen?

Yes, chicken and rice may be frozen and enjoyed at a later time.

Keep in mind that the texture of the rice may be altered slightly after freezing.

It's also recommended to freeze it without the artichoke and olive topping and to prepare that right before serving.

How To Freeze

1. Prepare the recipe as instructed, without the artichoke and olive topping.
2. Allow the chicken and rice to cool completely before transferring to the freezer for storage.
3. Once cooled, transfer to a heavy-duty freezer bag, press the air out of the bag, label with the date, and store up to 3 months in the freezer.

How To Thaw

1. Transfer the freezer bag to the fridge 24 hours before serving to thaw.
2. Heat the chicken and rice in a pot on the stove top with a little water or chicken stock. It may also be heated in the microwave or in the oven.
3. Add the artichoke and olive topping and lemon juice right before serving.

Always be sure to exercise caution when using an Instant Pot. Check out this guide for any questions you may have regarding use of your Instant Pot.

Love Mediterranean Chicken? Check out these recipes!

• Sheet Pan Mediterranean Chicken and Potatoes
• Grilled Italian Chicken Sandwiches
• Sheet Pan Greek Chicken
• Sheet Pan Italian Chicken and Green Beans
• Chicken Marsala Pasta

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