Chinese take-out right in your Instant pot. Packed with chunks of tender chicken, scrambled eggs, carrots and peas, this Instant pot chicken fried rice is easier and healthier. No more take-outs!!!
I’m having a love affair with my Instant pot these past few months. Check out all these amazing Instant Pot Recipes
It took a while to get going ( I mean, mine was still in the original packaging for at least 2 months after purchase). But, once I realized the convenience, there is no stopping.
My favorite part of a fried rice in an instant pot is that it does not require cooked, cooled leftover rice. No planning needed!
I’m all set to make chicken fried rice when the craving hits or in need a quick fix for school lunch box. An absolutely perfect side dish for all your favorite Chinese dishes or just a simple meal in itself.
Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce – delicious instant pot pasta recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes
Why Instapot chicken fried rice?
Instant pot was a game changer. I began with cooking white rice and slowly exploring more variations like this Instant Pot cilantro Lime Rice. So simple and is a great base for all your Mexican meals.
Ever since, I have been putting my instant pot to good use. Chicken makes it’s appearance at least three nights a week in our home. So, chicken fried rice instant pot was a no brainer. My favorite part is that you don’t have to depend on leftover rice to enjoy hot pressure cooker chicken fried rice whenever your craving hits.
It is so convent that it is perfect for weekday meals and a balanced one as well <— carbs, protein and veggies, all in one.
Wanna another reason? If I haven’t sold this recipe to you already:) Leftovers make great lunch box for next day. Click here for more lunch box ideas.
Instant Pot Pasta with Chicken Meat Sauce <—- Another delicious Instant Pot dinner recipe
How to make chicken fried rice in instant pot?
Step-1 : Heat oil in instant pot, scramble eggs and transfer
Step-2: If using frozen peas, add frozen peas in the now empty pot and cook for about a minute until thawed. Transfer
Step-3: Add a touch more oil, saute chicken, then onion and garlic.
Step-4: Add rinsed and drained rice, saute for about 20 seconds.
Step-5: Stir in chicken stock and chopped carrots.
Step-6: Cook —> There are two different methods given. Scroll below for more details.
Step-7: Stir in soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, ground black pepper, scrambled eggs and peas.
Instant pot fried rice for the win!
How to make non-mushy chicken fried rice in Instant pot?
It totally depends on your rice, yes! Many, many readers have had huge success with this recipe and there are a few who have had mushy rice. Reason? it depends on the basmati rice you are using. Not all brands, packages of rice are the same though they all say basmati rice in the package —> Some need more water and some less. Some need more cooking time and some less.
How do we solve this? I came up with two different cooking methods for you (you are welcome!). So, which method is right for you?
Cooking method-1
If you have tried this recipe already and you have had great success. Just stick to this.
If you cook different rice recipes in your Instant pot and use the rice setting and love the way the rice gets cooked , then this is right for you.
Cooking method-2
If you have tried this recipe before and had a mushy outcome, then go for this.
If you are not sure about your rice or cooking method.
Another important note for cooking rice in instant pot —–> It depends on the size of your Instant pot.
I tried making this recipe in a 3-quart Instant pot and a 8-quart Instant Pot. Result? Fried rice in 8-quart was much more firmer that the 3-quart. So, if you a own a larger Instant Pot, then use that for firmer rice.
Few notes on making this instant pot chicken fried rice recipe:
Rinse rice in a strainer and let it hang out for couple of minutes to drain as much water as possible. This step is important to not only wash the rice, as well as remove excess starch <— less mushier rice
Do not double the recipe. It’s just too much to work with and makes the rice overcooked in the process.
I used 1 cup of 33% less sodium chicken stock and the salt was perfect along with soy sauce. But, if you have regular sodium chicken stock, then I’d suggest using 3/4 cup stock + 1/4 cup water.
Check out the shrimp version of this chicken fried rice —-> Instant Pot Shrimp Fried Rice
Can I make Instant pot Chicken Fried Rice with Brown Rice?
One of my reader made it with great success. Here is how she made it:
Followed cooking Method #1 AND doubled the recipe (she used the Duo Plus 8 qt and the rice setting was 12 minutes as well).
“The recipe came out PERFECT. I added a level teaspoon of pepper (for the original recipe, I would do 1/2 a teaspoon) and an additional teaspoon or two of soy sauce. Tasted it, and it really is just perfect!”
I love you guys!!!
Instant Pot Pasta with Chicken Meat Sauce <—– Delicious Instant pot pasta recipe made with ground chicken
More Instant pot weeknight meal favorites:
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta – All the flavors of classic chicken parmesan made into a one pot, comforting meal.
Instant Pot Shrimp Fried Rice – Chinese take-out right in your Instant pot. Packed with chunks of succulent tender shrimp, scrambled eggs, carrots and peas, this Instant pot shrimp fried rice is easier and healthier.
Instant Pot No-Cream Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce – So creamy, so rich, so amazing yet so much healthier Instant pot no-cream pasta with tomato cream sauce. You will never miss the cream!
Instant Pot Thai Curry Soup with Shrimp and Sweet Potato – It is the perfect cozy, comforting soup anytime!!! Loaded with shrimp, spinach and sweet potato, this Instant pot Thai curry soup is quick and easy.
Baked Barbecue Chicken Meatballs with Avocado – Incredible chicken meatballs baked in muffin tin!! Moist, saucy, easy and delicious baked barbecue chicken meatballs with avocado are easy enough for weeknight dinner and great for meal prep.
Chinese take-out right in your Instant pot. Packed with chunks of tender chicken, scrambled eggs, carrots and peas, this Instant pot chicken fried rice is easier and healthier. No more take-outs!!!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time18 mins
Total Time23 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Servings: 4
Ingredients
3-4 tablepsoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs, whisked to combine
1 cup frozen peas
2 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite size chunks
1 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup white basmati rice, rinsed and drained well
1 cup (33% less sodium) chicken stock refer notes
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped into 1/4 inch cubes
3 tablepsoons soy sauce (more or less as desired)
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Set instant pot in saute mode. When hot, add 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add eggs and scramble, remove on to a plate when done. (You don't have to continuously stir eggs. Stir 'em every 20 seconds or so, until cooked. This will yield larger pieces of scrambled eggs)
Into the now empty pot (still in saute mode), add frozen peas. Saute, until thawed completely . The moisture from peas will help in loosening the eggs sticking to the bottom of the pan. Try scraping most of it. Transfer peas to the plate.
Add 1-2 tablespoons oil to the now empty instant pot, Add chicken in a single layer, cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Stir around and then add chopped onions and garlic, cook (stirring occasionally) for another 2-3 minutes.
Add rinsed and drained rice and saute for about 20 seconds and then stir in chicken stock and carrots. Scrape sides, close Instant pot, lock lid, set valve to sealing, press cancel. (Refer notes below to see which method is right for you).
Cooking Method-1 : Select rice mode. (This is an automatic setting and mine took 12 minutes). When cook time is done, let the Instant pot be in warm mode for 5 minutes. When 5 minutes is done, turn valve to vent and let pressure release.Press cancel and open lid. Stir in cooked eggs, peas, soy sauce, sesame oil and ground pepper.
Cooking Method-2 : Cook for 3 minutes on manual mode. When cook time is done, let it be in warm mode for 10 minutes (for al dente rice) and 15 minutes (for more softer rice) When cooking time is done, turn valve to vent and let pressure release.Press cancel and open lid. Stir in cooked eggs, peas, soy sauce, sesame oil and ground pepper.
Some readers have suggested that doubling the recipe results in slightly overcooked rice. So, I'd suggest using the recipe as is.
Remove pot insert from the instant pot base and place on a wire rack to cool for 5-10 minutes, before serving.
Enjoy hot Instant pot chicken fried rice for lunch/dinner or cool and pack into meal prep containers for the week.
Notes
Which cooking method is right for you?
Cooking method-1
If you have tried this recipe already and you have had great success. Just stick to this.
If you cook different rice recipes in your Instant pot and use the rice setting and love the way the rice gets cooked , then this is right for you. Cooking method-2
If you have tried this recipe before and had a mushy outcome, then go for this.
If you are not sure about your rice or cooking method. Rice - any long grain white basmati rice can be used. Rinse rice in a colander until water runs clear. Let it hang out in the strainer at least for 5 minutes, to drain almost all the water.
Chicken stock - I used 1 cup of 33% less sodium chicken stock and the salt was perfect along with soy sauce.
