One Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice | Simple Recipe with Huge Flavor | Amazing Instant Pot Recipe

chicken thighs

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: chicken drumsticks

Chicken breast is leaner, while drumsticks are often less expensive.

cajun seasoning

🥗Healthier: homemade spice blend

💰Cheaper: store-brand cajun seasoning

Homemade blends can be tailored to taste and may save money.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with bouillon cubes

Vegetable broth is lower in calories, while bouillon is cost-effective.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point, while canola is often cheaper.

Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.

Once the oil is hot, add 1 chopped yellow onion and 3-4 minced garlic cloves and sauté until softened.

Chop 1 cup of carrots into thick half inch pieces to prevent overcooking during pressure cooking.

Cut 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1 inch pieces.

Slice 8 oz of smoked beef sausage into rounds.

Add the chicken and sausage to the pot and turn off the sauté mode, stirring to combine.

Add Cajun seasoning and if it doesn't contain salt, add 0.5 teaspoon of kosher salt. Then add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 0.5 teaspoon onion powder, 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder, a pinch of red pepper flakes, 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric. Stir to combine.

Add 2 teaspoons of chicken base and mix well.

Rinse 1.5 cups of long grain white rice until the water runs clear and add it to the pot, ensuring it's on top and submerged in the liquid.

Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and scrape down the rice to ensure it's included in the liquid.

Add a 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes (do not drain) and shimmy them on top of the mixture.

Check that the seal ring is in place in the lid of the Instant Pot before sealing it.

Close the lid and set the vent to seal. Set the pot to cook for 8 minutes on high-pressure normal heat.

Wait for the pot to beep, indicating it has accepted the settings and is coming to pressure.

After the cooking time, allow for a natural release for 5 minutes before doing a quick release for the remaining pressure.

Once the pressure is released, add 1 cup of frozen peas to the pot and fluff the rice with a fork to mix everything together.

Serve the dish, noting that the chicken is tender and juicy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary