Instant Pot Chicken Curry and Rice Recipe

Easy, healthy, and delicious Instant Pot recipe for busy days! Get ready to cook perfect chicken curry and white basmati rice in one go, with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

The Perfect Solution for Busy Weeknights

This recipe is ideal for those days when you’re exhausted after a long day at work and still have schoolwork to finish. It’s a one-pot wonder that requires minimal effort and can be prepared in no time. The best part? You can throw all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and let it do the work for you while you attend to other tasks.

The Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 shallot, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 organic chicken breasts, sliced into chunks
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon Thai red curry
• 1 teaspoon Thai basil (or Italian basil as a substitute)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 can of light coconut milk
• 2 cups of chicken bouillon
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 cup of white basmati rice
• Water for the rice
• Fresh baby spinach leaves for garnish
• White pepper for added heat (optional)

Cooking the Chicken Curry and Rice

To start, set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the avocado oil. Add the diced shallot and cook until translucent, then add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Next, add the chicken chunks and cook until browned, then add the spices, salt, and chicken bouillon. Stir well to combine.

Add the coconut milk, tomato paste, and Thai red curry, and stir again to combine. Then, add the white basmati rice to a heatproof glass bowl and rinse it with water. Place the bowl on the trivet in the Instant Pot and pour in the water. Close the lid, making sure the silicone ring is in place, and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 4 minutes.

The Importance of Natural Pressure Release

After the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to natural pressure release for 10 minutes. This step is crucial in ensuring that the chicken is tender and the rice is cooked to perfection. Do not skip this step, as it will make all the difference in the final result.

Once the 10 minutes are up, quick-release any remaining pressure and open the lid. Remove the rice bowl and trivet, and add a couple of cups of fresh baby spinach leaves to the curry. The residual heat will wilt the spinach, and you can add a sprinkle of white pepper for extra heat if desired.

The Final Result

The end result is a delicious and healthy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The chicken is tender and flavorful, and the white basmati rice is cooked to perfection. This recipe is a game-changer for those who struggle to find the time to cook a decent meal during the week.