Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a delicious one-pot comfort food meal. This is an easy and flavorful casserole to make in the Instant Pot. It’s easy to make this yummy pressure cooker Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole with simple ingredients.
Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
A casserole is a great choice for a weeknight meal. They are easy to make, don’t take much more than an hour, and are delicious and filling. Even kids like this recipe!
This is a delicious casserole that you can make in your Instant Pot® pressure cooker. I created this chicken broccoli rice casserole to be healthier than the one made with the canned soup (I have nothing against canned soup, I just don’t want to use it too often).
What is the best chicken to make this recipe with?
You can use dark or white meat. Boneless/skinless is what I use. If you use bone-in, take the temperature of the meat before serving (you want 165°).
Can I use quick cooking rice?
The parboiled, or fast cooking rices don’t do as well in this recipe. They overcook and get mushy. I haven’t tried it, but a quick cooking brown rice might work.
Can I use Brown Rice?
Brown rice needs a much longer cook time than white rice, so I wouldn’t. As mentioned above, I haven’t tried it, but a few of my readers have had success with quick cooking brown rice.
Can I just throw the broccoli in with the chicken and rice?
- Broccoli cooks very quickly in a pressure cooker. It will be super mushy if you add it in the beginning.
- Frozen broccoli, ran under hot water, works the best in this recipe. Add it at the end and close the lid. It will heat through.
- If you are using fresh broccoli, you will want to microwave it a few minutes with some water before adding it at the end. It won’t cook much from just the residual heat.
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If you make this tasty pressure cooker chicken broccoli rice casserole, please leave a comment and a star rating below. I’d really like to know how you liked this recipe!
Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a delicious one pot comfort food meal. It's easy to make this yummy pressure cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 1 med Onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 lbs Chicken Breast, cubed
- 1 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt (or 3/4 tsp table salt)
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Thyme Leaves (dried, not ground)
- 3 cloves Garlic, finely minced
- 1 1/2 cups Long Grain White Rice, well rinsed
- 2 1/2 cups Chicken Broth, low sodium
- 2 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, (I like sharp)
- 2 lbs Frozen Broccoli Florets
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Turn on the Sauté setting. When it is hot, add the olive oil and butter.
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Add the onion and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until starting to turn translucent.
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Add the chicken. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme over it. Stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just the outside of the chicken turns white.
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Add the garlic and stir.
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Add the rice and the broth. Do not stir. Gently press the rice and chicken into the broth, then put the lid on the pressure cooker and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Turn off the Sauté setting.
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Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 3 minutes. High Pressure. The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
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While the chicken and rice is cooking, run the frozen broccoli florets under hot water and drain. Set aside. If you are using fresh broccoli, you may need to microwave it with a little water for a few minutes to soften it, as it won't cook in the pot with the residual heat. If the florets are large, cut them in half.
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When the cook cycle has finished, turn off the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 10 minutes (10 minute natural release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining steam/pressure.
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When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
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Stir in the cheese.
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Add the broccoli florets, stir, and close the lid so it cooks in the residual heat of the rice/chicken.
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Take the lid off and stir. Serve immediately. Makes good leftovers.
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Brian
It was amazing but we used a can of cheese sauce and less shredded cheese and if you want to take it to the next level add crushed Ritz crackers on top, delicious.
Cassandra
Delicious! I used 2 packets of Knorr Cheddar Broccoli rice sides instead of the regular white rice. It was amazing and I will definitely be making it again.
Ashley G
Great easy recipe. I used 1/2 the onion because my husband isn’t a big fan of onion. Turned out amazing.
Amber Davis
This was a real crowd pleaser—and my 3 teenage boys and 1 pre-teen girl are fairly picky eaters. Everyone loved it! My husband was really surprised how good it was as well!!
Not one negative comment—all plates were completely empty!
Thanks so much for posting this recipe!
It is a new favorite in our house now!!
Shelly
Easy & delish! Thanks for a great quick recipe!
Monica
Chicken was so tender! Very quick, easy, and yummy! Thanks so much!
Emily Scholl
Came out amazing! Moist and yummy. Followed the recipe as described.
Will be making again!
Made it in my 3qt duo mini instant pot, had plenty room while everything was cooking, but adding the broccoli at the end I had to be careful to stir it in without causing a tidal wave.
Thanks for this recipe!
Emily
Would this work in the 3 quart IP?
Sandy
You may need to be careful when stirring in the broccoli, as another reader commented, but she did get it to work!
Marie Smeets
This recipe was outstanding in taste & I’m not even a rice person. I added a few sliced mushrooms because i didnt have enough broccoli but other than that, followed everything exact and it’s a delicous, healthy & clean eating meal! I’d give it 10 stars if i could. Thanks so much for sharing this ❤
Rachel
I just got my first instant pot today and this is the first thing I made with it. I jist found my new favorite kitchen toy and my new favorite recipe. Thank you!
Sherri
Absolutely delicious! Whole family loved it…including my picky eaters. Thanks so much!
Julie
Since I’m cooking for one I took out 1/2 the cooked chicken and rice to use with curried veggies tomorrow and threw in cheese, spinach and broccoli. Very delicious! Thanks!
Marilyn Y
Could a person do half a batch and if so would I still cook it the same
Sandy
Yes, and keep the cook time the same.
Simona
Could mushrooms be added to this as well? If so, should they be sautéed prior to adding to the IP?
Thanks!
Sandy
Yes! How yummy!
Crystal
So I had to change the recipe some… I didn’t have enough chicken broth, so I used some beef broth (lol) to make up for what I needed. I used quick brown rice and I used a bag of green beans and a bag of broccoli. Overall, it turned out okay – only issue was that it was a little soupy … Prob too much broth on my part … Also wish I would have had broccoli only… And chicken broth. Not terrible though!
Maret
Easy & Tasty! I am relatively new to pressure cooking and all went well. I microwaved 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets and added them with the cheese. I did substitute jasmine rice since I didn’t have long grain on hand. It was cooked, but I wouldn’t recommend a sticky rice like jasmine since everything clumped together. Long grain rice would provide the right texture. I have never added both fresh garlic/onion and powdered garlic/onion in the same recipe before…it’s usually one or the other. I was surprised to learn that both were needed flavor-wise. This is one of those comfort foods that can be bland if the seasonings aren’t right. Next time I think I’ll try some Italian seasoning in place of the garlic powder. Since I go lower fat and salt in cooking, I used only 1/4 tsp salt and 1.5 cups sharp cheddar and it was fine. I’ll try no salt next time. If you are used to low salt, you notice the salt inherent in foods like the cheddar. Thanks for a keeper recipe.
Jenny LaSeur
I can’t count how many times I’ve made this! Everyone in my family loves it (a rare feat) and it’s pretty simple to make. So perfect! I have made it with both frozen and fresh broccoli and both turn out great.
Sandy
That’s great, Jenny! Thank you for letting me know!
Margo
VERY GOOD recipe over all! I will use a less sharp cheddar next time for the hubby. Our 2 year old granddaughter loved it as it is! It was a great weeknight dinner. I will make it again.
Rachel
This was also the first thing I cooked in my instant pot. Used chicken thighs and basmati rice, and added par boiled fresh brocolli. It’s beautiful and so easy!!!
I’m passing this along to my fams and friends!! Thank you for this instant pot family 😀🤗
Melissa
This was a yummy quick dinner. Little salt and pepper at the end and the kids ate it all. Thank you for this recipe
Sarah
Can this be made without the cheese?
Sandy
Sure!
Timothy
2 lbs of broccoli sounds like an awful lot. Is that accurate?
Sandy
I think so! I tested this recipe multiple times, so I trust what I wrote. That would be a 32 oz bag of frozen, or florets to equal the size of a head of cauliflower, which typically weigh 2 lbs (the ones I buy).
Rachael
Could this work with regular (Not quick cook) brown rice, or would that change the cook time?
Sandy
It would change the cook time as brown rice needs about 22 minutes to cook. The chicken would be overcooked.
Ashley Clune
This sounds great! Wanna make it tonight but don’t have rice. Could you use quinoa instead of rice?
Sandy
Yes!
Danielle
Haven’t made this yet but going to try it — After you put the broccoli in and close the lid, how long do you let it sit for before you open and serve?
Sandy
It depends on the broccoli you are using. If it was frozen, rinse it in very hot water before adding. I would stir it in and let it sit for 5 minutes at least. If you steam the broccoli a little in the microwave before adding, you may not need to let it sit, unless it is not quite soft enough. The only thing I wouldn’t do is use straight up raw broccoli, unless you like it very crunchy. Hope that helps.
Nicole
I made it tonight for my family and we all loved it! My husband and adult kids all had seconds! My husband couldn’t stop saying how much he liked it and the “we need to have this again!!”
P.S
We have. Pug named Gizmo too!
Marilyn
Can I use Lundberg Wild Blend Rice instead of Long Grain white rice?
Sandy
That sounds good, though I haven’t tried it. I wonder if the wild rice will cook in the amount of time it takes to cook the rice? If you try it, please let me know how it works!
Caleigh
First time using my instant pot and this recipe was perfect and the directions were so easy to follow. Will definitely make again!!
Emily
Would it work to use fresh broccoli instead of frozen?
Sandy
You may need to steam it a little in the microwave first as it may not cook enough in the residual heat.
Crystal Stauter
All I have is jasmin long grain white rice will this work
Sandy
Yes it will!
Seth
Turned out great! My wife and kids were pleased!
Vivian
Really pleased with this recipe! My super picky 8 year old asked for seconds and my 2 year old was licking her bowl. Love that this is a much healthier version than the condensed cream soup base I grew up with. This is a keeper for sure!
Ashley
Made it tonight. First thing in my instant pot! I have 4 kids 7,5, 3, and 2 and them along with me and my husband loved it! We doubled the recipe and it was a good amount!
Tawsha
Do you double the time when you double the recipe or keep time the same?
Sandy
I keep the time the same.
Denyse
Came out perfect. I skipped salt completely and used no salt broth. The cheese alone has enough salt to keep it healthy.
Candace
This was my first dish in my Insta Pot. After I figured out how to use the timer, all was well. This dish turned out just delicious. The chicken was tender and it was a hit.
Amber
My family loved this, it was a little too salty for our taste so next time I will leave out the salt I think the chicken broth will be enough
Donald Jarvey
Can this be doubled in the 8 qt?
Sandy
I haven’t tried it. You can make half again for sure (keep cook time the same).
Ashley
I doubled it in my 6 quart and it worked perfect
B
This recipe came out perfect 💕
Only thing I did differently was added panko crumbs and cheese on top and air fried for 5mins.
Loved it
Sandy
That’s great! Thank you!
Amy McG
Loved it. Terrific instructions. Came out just as advertised. Thank you!!
Kim
This was the first thing I made in my instant pot!! It did not disappoint! My family loved it! Thank you! 😊
Runi
Used 1 cup cheese and two tablespoons nutritional yeast to make it a little healthier. Added diced carrots as well. My toddler likes this version so I’m happy that she’s getting some veggies in at dinner. I love that it’s a one pot meal.
Cassandra
Delicious! I used 2 packets of Knorr Cheddar Broccoli rice sides instead of the regular white rice. It was amazing and I will definitely be making it again.
Lisa
Can you use frozen chicken breast in this? Would it change the cook time?
Sandy
Yes you can. Keep the cook time the same.
Kelli
If you use frozen chicken beasts do you just cook them whole?
Sandy
Yes. Try to use smaller ones so they cook in the amount of time.
Lisa
Is there an insert that you need to use for this? Like a casserole dish on the steam rack or anything? Or do you just dump it all in the stainless steel insert that comes with the instant pot?
Sandy
I just use the stainless liner and cook it all in that.
Julie
This was really good! I also used minute brown rice and it came out perfect.
I didn’t know what to the with the 3 cloves of garlic so I threw them in with the chicken and rice before I cooked on high pressure.
Great recipe. Thanks!
Aly
I used quick cook brown rice and it worked perfectly!
Valerie Bolton
I threw in a cup of diced ham and a tsp of curry powder…sooo good. Thanks!
April young
I used chicken thighs and left them whole and worked beautifully.
Sandy
Yum!
Andi Barber
I made this tonight. I used broth that I made previously in the IP. This was a family hit. I only used 1.5 c cheese because that’s what I had on hand. You could change up the seasonings so many ways. This is a great recipe to start with. EXCELLENT!!!
Sandy
That’s great, Andi! Thank you.
Jennifer W
I tend to look at recipes and make them my own but I have made this recipe exactly as is… twice:-) a first for an online recipe in my house, lol… Very simple, clean, and easy to follow recipe that my family will be enjoying and/or devouring regularly in the new year… thanks so much for taking your time to share your recipes!
Tina
This was so good! I made it exactly as written and it was perfect!
Sandy
That’s great, Tina! Thank you.