Instant Pot Chicken, Sausage, and Rice overflows with flavor from smoky sausage, tender chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, and fluffy rice – pure comfort food in a bowl!
Instant Pot Chicken, Sausage, and Rice
As the weather starts to cool down, I crave big servings of comforting, warming dishes that I can enjoy all week long. You know — those that reheat like a charm and seem to get even yummier with each day. Think along the lines of a delectable curry (like my go-to Chickpea Curry!) or a robust soup or stew.
This Instant Pot Chicken, Sausage, and Rice is right up that alley; it’s stew-like, super hearty, and trust me, its flavors only deepen and intensify the longer it sits in your fridge.
Instant Pot Chicken, Sausage, and Rice Ingredients
Here’s your ingredient list for Instant Pot Chicken, Sausage, and Rice, complete with some helpful notes:
- Celery: Go for firm, straight stalks. If they’re wilting or bending, they’re past their prime.
- Yellow onion: If you’d like something milder and sweeter try Vidalia or Walla Walla varieties.
- Green bell pepper: Aim for ones that are glossy and firm, and feel weighty for their size.
- Garlic: You want tight, solid bulbs. For a quick peel, lay a clove under a knife’s flat side and give it a quick smash.
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes: These add a smoky depth of flavor. If you can’t find them, regular diced tomatoes can work, but you’ll miss the note of smokiness.
- Chicken thighs: Boneless thighs are much more tender and flavorful than chicken breasts in this recipe.
- Smoked sausage: Choose a quality brand for the best flavor. Andouille sausage is a great choice for added spice. If you’re thinking light, turkey or chicken sausages are good, but you’ll lose out on a bit of flavor.
Ingredients, Continued
- Chicken broth: Want it richer? Choose chicken stock. If salt’s a concern, low-sodium versions are your friend.
- Creole seasoning: This is a blend of spices, so brands can vary in heat and salt. Always taste and adjust the dish accordingly. And, if your blend doesn’t have salt, you’ll need to add some in. Or, you could always make your own blend!
- Bay leaf, cayenne pepper, and salt: They’re your flavor boosters, giving depth and a kick.
- Butter: Unsalted butter lets you control the salt.
- White, all-purpose flour: This is the thickening agent for Chicken, Sausage, and Rice. Ensure it’s well-incorporated and cooked over heat for at least a minute to avoid a raw flour taste.
- White rice: Basmati rice is our favorite to use in this dish!
- Parsley (optional for serving): Fresh flat-leaf AKA Italian parsley generally has a more robust flavor than curly varieties.
How To Make Instant Pot Chicken, Sausage, and Rice (Tips)
- Cook rice separately: To avoid overcooked rice, we make the rice separately, rather than adding it directly to the Instant Pot.
- Sealing ring and valve: Make sure the sealing ring is correctly set in its track on the lid. Without it, the pot won’t seal and pressure won’t build. Additionally, double-check that the valve is in the sealed position before starting the cooking process.
- Natural vs. quick release: Here’s the difference: Natural release means letting the pot cool down on its own (which takes about 10-25 minutes, depending on the contents). Quick release involves manually venting the steam. We quickly release the pressure for this dish to avoid overcooking the chicken.
- Monitor salt levels: Since many ingredients (like broth, sausage, and Creole seasoning) contain salt, it’s important to keep an eye on the overall saltiness. Taste as you go and adjust as needed.
- Play with the heat: If you or your family love spiciness, consider adding some ground cayenne or even a splash of hot sauce. For those more sensitive to spice, you can serve spicy condiments on the side.
- Storage and reheating: Chicken, Sausage, and Rice get even better as the flavors meld. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
What To Serve With Chicken, Sausage, and Rice
Here are some side dish suggestions to complement Chicken, Sausage, and Rice:
- Garden Salad: A light and crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of this dish.
- Cornbread: This slightly sweet and crumbly bread complements the spicy and savory flavors of the stew-like dish perfectly.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Veggies like asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts are perfect on the side.
- Coleslaw: A classic, crunchy coleslaw makes for a refreshing and vibrant side.
- Grilled corn on the cob: Brushed with a little butter and sprinkled with some Creole seasoning, this can mirror the flavors in the Chicken, Sausage, and Rice.
More Instant Pot Recipe Favorites:
- Instant Pot Spaghetti with Italian sausage
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with three cheeses
- Taco Chili with the best seasoning blend
- Sweet Potato Risotto with bacon
- Beef Stroganoff served over egg noodles
Instant Pot Chicken, Sausage, and Rice
Instant Pot Chicken, Sausage, and Rice is a flavorful dish with smoky sausage, tender chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, and fluffy rice – pure comfort food in a bowl!
Ingredients
- 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced (½cup)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper diced (1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic (3-4 cloves)
- 2 cans (14.5 oz) EACH fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs (Note 1)
- 13 oz smoked sausage, thinly sliced (Note 2)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning (Note 3)
- Optional: dried bay leaf, ground cayenne pepper (if you like heat)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 tablespoons white, all-purpose flour
- For serving: 1 cup uncooked white rice, ¼ cup finely chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- INSTANT POT: Add the first 9 ingredients to a 6-quart Instant Pot. If using, add in the bay leaf.
- PRESSURE COOK: Seal the Instant Pot and set to pressure cook for 8 minutes. Once done, immediately release the pressure manually. Remove the lid and pull out the chicken thighs. Allow them to cool slightly on a cutting board. Once cooled, either shred or dice them.
- THICKENER/ROUX: On the stovetop, in a small pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Gradually add the flour, whisking continuously between each tablespoon to ensure a smooth mixture. Continue whisking until the mixture becomes creamy. Reduce the heat and let the roux thicken slightly. Remove from heat.
- FINISHING: Pour the roux into the Instant Pot (Note: it may sizzle when added, so pour carefully). Stir well to combine. Return the shredded or diced chicken to the pot. Taste the mixture and adjust seasonings as needed. If you used a bay leaf, 1remove and discard it now. Stir in the parsley if you're using it.
- RICE: Meanwhile, prepare rice according to package directions.
- SERVING: Divide rice evenly among bowls. Ladle the chicken, sausage, and rice mixture over the rice. Stir to combine, then enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the way to go. They're juicy, super tender, and a breeze to shred or dice. While we gave chicken breasts a shot during testing, they just didn't hold up, so we suggest sticking with thighs for the best results.
Note 2: Sausage: Choose a quality brand for the best flavor. Andouille sausage is a great choice for added spice. If you're thinking light, turkey or chicken sausages are good, but you'll lose out on a bit of flavor. This dish is all about being quick, but you can sauté the sausage in the Instant Pot before adding anything else if you'd like.
Note 3: Creole seasoning: This is a blend of spices, and brands can vary in heat and salt. Always taste and adjust the dish accordingly. If your blend doesn't have salt, you'll need to add some in. Our fave brands are Tony Chachere® and Zatarain®.
Nutrition
Calories: 631kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 206mg | Sodium: 1650mg | Potassium: 659mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1889IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
