Homemade Instant Pot Chicken and Asparagus Recipe
This Homemade Instant Pot Chicken Asparagus recipe is a flavorful, comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken thighs, nutty brown rice, fresh asparagus, and a savory blend of herbs and spices, all cooked to perfection in an Instant Pot for a quick and easy dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup onions, diced
- 1 1/2 tbsp garlic, freshly minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Rice and Seasonings
- 2 cups long-grain brown rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Others
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Sauté Butter, Onion, and Garlic: Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Add the unsalted butter and let it melt. Then add the diced onions and freshly minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Rice and Seasonings: Stir in the long-grain brown rice, coating it in the butter and aromatics. Add dried basil, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Pour Chicken Stock: Pour in the chicken stock and stir gently to distribute the rice evenly in the liquid.
- Add Chicken Thighs: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs on top of the rice. Do not stir them in. This layering helps the chicken cook evenly on top of the rice.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and ensure the valve is set to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Quick Release and Add Asparagus: After cooking, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid and immediately add the trimmed asparagus pieces on top of the chicken and rice. Close the lid again and let it sit on the ‘keep warm’ setting for 5 minutes. The residual heat will cook the asparagus to tender-crisp.
- Finish with Cheese and Lemon Juice: Open the lid and sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the dish. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice. Gently fluff the rice with a fork to mix the ingredients, cheese, and lemon juice evenly.
- Serve: Scoop portions onto plates and serve warm. Enjoy your flavorful and wholesome homemade instant pot chicken asparagus!
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best tenderness and flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute brown rice with white rice—adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Add asparagus after pressure cooking to keep it crisp and prevent overcooking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds richness but is optional for a lighter version.
Keywords: Instant Pot chicken recipe, chicken asparagus recipe, brown rice chicken, quick healthy dinner, one pot chicken meal
