Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice

Instant pot chicken fried rice is a fast and easy recipe with simple ingredients like chicken, carrots, peas, celery and rice. Perfect for a quick dinner or lunch for the week.

Close up of chicken fried rice in a bowl.

Chicken Fried Rice In An Instant Pot

This recipe is so easy! You’ll love how quick things come together for an all-in-one meal. No need for other pans, everything is cooked together in your instant pot. We are loving this recipe because:

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – Chicken and eggs add protein. Jasmine rice cooks easily in the instant pot. Easy veggies like onion, celery, carrots and peas. Garlic and soy sauce add flavor.

QUICK PREP – You can use a bag of frozen carrots and peas to cut down on chopping time. Other than that, the chicken, onion and celery need to be chopped and garlic minced. Easy peasy!

ONE POT – This recipe uses saute mode to scramble the eggs and cook onion and garlic. Then everything is cooked together in pressure mode.

COOKS FAST – From prep to cooking, it’s ready in 30 minutes!

Recipe Ingredients

RICE – I used white jasmine rice, but basmati rice should also work. I don’t recommend brown rice because it will take longer to cook.

EGGS – Use 2 large eggs.

CHICKEN – 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breasts. This is usually about 3-4 chicken breasts at the grocery store, depending on size.

VEGETABLES – Carrots, celery and onion are chopped to bite-size pieces and mixed in with peas.

SOY SAUCE – You can use regular soy sauce, a low-sodium version or tamari sauce.

SESAME OIL – For flavor.

BROTH – Chicken broth or vegetable broth will work.

Pro Tip: Use a bag of frozen carrots and peas to save time. Most grocery stores have them and it saves chopping time for carrots.

Variations

VEGGIES – Add extra veggies chopped mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli and bell pepper.
PROTEIN – Use chopped ham or shrimp
SPICES – Swap the soy sauce for simple spices. This is a great option if you’re watching your sodium intake.

Four images looking into an instant pot with various ingredients including chopped onion, chopped chicken, chopped carrots and celery, and white rice.

How To Make Chicken Fried Rice In An Instant Pot

This recipe uses two main steps, saute mode and pressure mode. Here’s an overview with more detailed instructions and photos in the recipe card at the bottom of this post:

PREP – Chop the chicken into cubes and the veggies into bite-sized pieces.
SAUTE – Scramble the eggs on saute mode, then cook the onion and garlic until onion is translucent.
CLEAN – Use a splash of water to clean the bottom of the pot to avoid a burn warning.
COOK – Add chicken broth, chicken, celery and carrots, and rice. Push down so that rice is covered in water. Close lid and turn valve to seal. Cook for 3 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
STIR – Add in scrambled eggs, cooked onion and frozen peas. Pour the sauce and sesame oil overtop. Mix together. Cover for 5 minutes to heat through. Serve and enjoy!

Pro Tip: Get the right rice consistency by first rinsing it under cold water for 2 minutes. When placing it in the instant pot, make sure it’s covered by the broth.

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers are perfect for lunches throughout the week!

REFRIGERATE – Store the recipe in an airtight container, or tightly wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

TO REHEAT – Leftovers can be reheated for a minute or two in the microwave, heated in a skillet on the stove, or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Pro Tip: Stir fry the leftovers the next day for a different flavor. The rice will become crispier, you can add more veggies, sesame oil and soy sauce.

What To Serve With

This recipe doesn’t need to be served with anything else, but here are a few ideas:

SAUCES – Add more soy sauce, tamari sauce, or hot sauce.
TOPPINGS – Sprinkle on sesame seeds and add chopped green onion.
SIDES – Serve with a side of steamed green beans or broccoli.

Recipe Tips

RINSE THE RICE – Rinsing the rice well will help to remove excess starch that can cause mushiness.

GOOD QUALITY RICE – Good quality jasmine rice or basmati rice tends to produce better (less mushy results).

PUSH RICE DOWN – Push the rice under the broth before closing the lid. This will ensure the rice is cooked evenly.

CUT PIECES SMALL – Cut all the vegetables into small bite-size pieces. The smaller the better for this recipe! Chicken should also be cut small into 1/2″ cubes.

Common Questions

My Instant Pot gave a burn warning. How Do I fix this?

Once you saute the eggs and onion, it’s important to clean the bottom of the pot. Any food stuck to the pot can create a burn warning.

What’s the best rice for this recipe?

I used jasmine rice, but basmati rice will also work. Brown rice will not cook as fast and the cooking times will need to be adjusted.

How do I prevent rice from being mushy in Instant Pot?

Rinsing the rice under cold water for 2 minutes will help to remove some of the starches. It’s also important to use the exact measurements for liquid. Too much liquid can produce mushy rice.

Looking down at a bowl with chicken fried rice recipe.

Instant Pot chicken fried rice is an easy and delicious recipe that will fill a hungry family. Leftovers make the perfect lunches throughout the week.

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