Unlock the secret to effortless weeknight dinners with these incredible Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls! This is more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary revelation that transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal, all cooked in a single pot. Imagine succulent chicken, perfectly cooked rice, hearty beans, and sweet corn, all simmered in a rich, zesty sauce. This Mexican-inspired dish is not only a guaranteed crowd-pleaser but also a testament to the magic of pressure cooking, delivering restaurant-quality flavor with minimal fuss.
Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a quick and healthy family dinner, a meal prepper seeking nutritious options for the week, or simply craving an explosion of Tex-Mex flavors, these Instant Pot Burrito Bowls are your answer. They’re packed with protein, fiber, and deliciousness, making them a balanced and complete meal that everyone will love. Plus, the beauty of a burrito bowl lies in its customization – pile on your favorite toppings to create a personalized masterpiece every time!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Instant Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
There are countless reasons why these Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls will quickly become a staple in your meal rotation. From their incredible ease to their versatile flavor profile, every aspect is designed for convenience and deliciousness.
- Effortlessly Fast & Simple: Forget spending hours in the kitchen! Making burrito bowls in the Instant Pot is astonishingly quick and easy. The pressure cooker dramatically cuts down on cooking time, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet meal in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods. Once you experience the speed and simplicity, you’ll wonder why you ever made them any other way.
- A True One-Pot Wonder: Say goodbye to a sink full of dirty dishes! The chicken, rice, and beans all cook together in a single pot. This not only streamlines the cooking process but also makes cleanup an absolute breeze, giving you more time to savor your meal and less time scrubbing pots.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe is a dream come true for anyone who loves to meal prep. Serving six generous portions, it’s ideal for feeding a family or preparing lunches and dinners for the week ahead. Simply store any leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days, and you’ll have flavorful, ready-to-eat meals at your fingertips.
- Endlessly Customizable Toppings: The real fun of these bowls comes with the toppings! Think of them as a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. While classics like sliced jalapeño, creamy avocado, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro are always a hit, feel free to get adventurous with shredded cheese, salsa, hot sauce, pickled onions, or even crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
- Packed with Flavor: Each spoonful is bursting with rich, savory, and subtly spicy notes from the chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and taco seasoning. The combination of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and hearty beans creates a satisfying texture and a symphony of tastes that will transport your palate straight to Mexico.
Expert Tips for Instant Pot Burrito Bowl Perfection
Even though this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few chef’s tips can elevate your Instant Pot Burrito Bowls from great to absolutely phenomenal. Pay attention to these nuances for the best possible results.
- The Crucial Scrape: When you add the chicken broth, don’t just pour and forget! Take a few seconds to thoroughly scrape your spoon or spatula across the entire bottom of the Instant Pot insert. This vital step dislodges any small bits of food that may have stuck during the sautéing process. Failing to do so can lead to a dreaded “burn notice” during the pressure cooking cycle, which will halt your cooking and require you to start over. Ensure the bottom is completely clear before moving on.
- Trust the Process for Thickening: After you release the pressure and remove the lid from the Instant Pot, you might notice that the mixture looks quite soupy. Don’t panic! This is perfectly normal. The subsequent 3-5 minute Sauté cycle makes a huge difference. As the mixture simmers, the excess liquid will evaporate, and the starch from the rice will help to thicken it beautifully into that perfect burrito bowl consistency. Keep stirring gently during this phase to prevent sticking.
- Rinse Your Rice: For best results and to prevent sticky, clumpy rice, always rinse your long-grain rice thoroughly under cold running water before adding it to the Instant Pot. This removes excess starch, ensuring each grain cooks up separate and fluffy.
- Even Chicken Pieces: Ensure your boneless, skinless chicken breasts are trimmed and cut into relatively uniform bite-sized pieces. This promotes even cooking, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked and dry.
- Adjust Spice Levels: Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce provide a wonderful smoky heat. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the number of chipotle peppers or omit them entirely. For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce at the end.
Explore More Delicious Mexican-Inspired Recipes
If you’re a fan of the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine, you’re in luck! We’ve got a fantastic collection of other recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds. From hearty vegetarian options to family-friendly chicken dishes, there’s something for everyone to explore.
- Authentic Refried Black Beans: A classic side dish that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor.
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos: Easy, tender chicken that’s perfect for taco night, letting your slow cooker do all the work.
- Hearty Mexican Chicken Casserole: A comforting and cheesy casserole, ideal for feeding a crowd or for cozy family dinners.
- Sheet Pan Vegetarian Fajitas: A colorful and healthy vegetarian option, quick to prepare and even quicker to clean up.
- Flavorful Mexican Stuffed Peppers: Bell peppers filled with a savory Mexican-inspired mixture, baked to perfection.
- Easy Taco Pie Recipe: All the great flavors of tacos in a convenient, sliceable pie format.
- Baked Keto Empanadas: A low-carb twist on a beloved classic, perfect for those following a keto lifestyle.
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For more delicious recipes, visit our sister sites, 40 Aprons and Easy Cheap Recipes.
Instant Pot Burrito Bowls with Chicken
Cheryl Malik
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Ingredients
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot
- Large wooden spoon or large silicone spatula
Instructions
- Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the Sauté mode. Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil to the Instant Pot insert and allow it to heat until it shimmers, indicating it’s ready for cooking.
- Once the oil is hot, add 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (ensuring they are trimmed and cut into uniform bite-sized pieces) and ½ cup diced white onion to the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Sauté this mixture for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and the chicken is mostly opaque and lightly browned on the exterior.
- Now, add 1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Stir it into the chicken and onion mixture and continue to sauté for another 30 to 60 seconds, or until the garlic becomes wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Next, incorporate 2 whole chipotle peppers (chopped or left whole for a milder heat), 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the can, and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning into the Instant Pot. Stir everything together to ensure the chicken and onions are well coated. Sauté this spicy mixture for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and allow the spices to bloom. After 2 minutes, cancel the Sauté function.
- Pour 1 ½ cups chicken broth into the Instant Pot. Stir the chicken broth into the mixture thoroughly. This is a critical step: use your spoon or spatula to vigorously scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot insert, loosening any food particles that may have stuck. This prevents the “burn notice” and ensures even cooking.
- After confirming that no ingredients are stuck to the bottom, carefully layer in the remaining ingredients: 1 ½ cups salsa, 1 cup long-grain rice (which should be rinsed and drained), 1 15.25-ounce can black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 15.25-ounce can whole corn kernels (drained and rinsed; or 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels), and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Stir gently to incorporate these new additions without disturbing the bottom layer too much.
- Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure, then adjust the cook time to 4 minutes. The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to build pressure, after which the 4-minute cooking countdown will begin.
- Once the 4-minute cook time concludes, perform an immediate Quick Release of the internal pressure. To do this, carefully turn the valve to the venting position. Use caution as the escaping steam will be very hot. Once all the steam has been released and the float valve drops, you can safely unlock and remove the lid.
- Set the Instant Pot back to Sauté mode. Simmer the burrito bowl mixture, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency. This step allows any residual liquid to evaporate, creating a rich and hearty bowl.
- Once thickened, taste the mixture and add salt as desired to enhance the flavors. Ladle the hot and delicious mixture into serving bowls. Garnish with your preferred toppings such as avocado, sour cream, cilantro, or jalapeños, and serve warm immediately. Enjoy your satisfying, homemade Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls!
Notes
- Storage: Refrigerate any leftover Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They make for fantastic packed lunches!
- Reheating: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, stirring halfway. You can also gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the mixture seems too dry.
- Spice Adjustment: If you prefer less heat, use only one chipotle pepper or omit them altogether and use a milder salsa. For more heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or serve with hot sauce.
- Vegetarian Option: To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and increase the amount of black beans or add another canned bean like pinto beans. You could also include sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 511kcal |
Protein: 45g |
Fat: 9g |
Saturated Fat: 2g |
Trans Fat: 0.02g |
Total Carbs: 65g |
Fiber: 10g |
Sugar: 7g |
Net Carbs: 55g |
Vitamin C: 10mg |
Cholesterol: 98mg |
Sodium: 1793mg |
Potassium: 1222mg |
Calcium: 69mg |
Iron: 3mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Instant Pot Burrito Bowls
Curious about substitutions, storage, or how to adapt this recipe? Here are answers to some common questions to help you make the most of your Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls.
- Can I use a different type of rice?
While long-grain white rice is recommended for its texture and quick cooking time, you can use other types. If using brown rice, you may need to increase the pressure cooking time by a few minutes (e.g., to 6-7 minutes) and adjust the liquid amount slightly, as brown rice requires more liquid. Always check your Instant Pot manual or a reliable source for specific brown rice cooking times.
- How can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
To make it vegetarian, simply omit the chicken. You can substitute it with extra black beans, pinto beans, or introduce other vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms during the sauté step. For a vegan version, also ensure your chicken broth is replaced with vegetable broth, and omit any dairy toppings like sour cream or cheese, opting for avocado or a vegan crema instead.
- What if I don’t have an Instant Pot? Can I make this on the stovetop?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for the stovetop! You’ll need a large pot or Dutch oven. Follow the sautéing steps for the chicken, onion, garlic, and seasonings. Then, add the broth, salsa, rice, beans, corn, and lime juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. You may need to add a bit more liquid as it cooks.
- Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
It’s generally best to use thawed chicken breasts for this recipe to ensure even cooking and proper browning during the sauté phase. If you must use frozen chicken, it’s advisable to cut it into bite-sized pieces before freezing or allow it to thaw partially so you can cut it. Cooking whole frozen chicken breasts would require a longer pressure cooking time and may result in unevenly cooked rice.
- What are some good topping ideas for these burrito bowls?
The possibilities are endless! Beyond the suggested jalapeño, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro, consider adding shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, a dollop of fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, sliced green onions, a drizzle of hot sauce, or a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese. For extra crunch, crushed tortilla chips or strips are a great addition.
- How do I prevent the “burn notice” on my Instant Pot?
The most important step is ensuring you thoroughly scrape the bottom of the pot after adding the chicken broth, as mentioned in the chef’s tips. Any stuck-on bits can trigger the sensor. Also, avoid stirring the rice and other ingredients once they are added after the broth; layer them gently on top to prevent them from sinking and potentially sticking to the bottom.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite One-Pot Meal!
There you have it – a truly remarkable Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe that simplifies your cooking without compromising on flavor. This dish offers the perfect blend of convenience, nutrition, and mouth-watering taste, making it an ideal choice for any day of the week. The magic of the Instant Pot means less time over the stove and more time enjoying delicious, wholesome food with your loved ones.
We encourage you to try this recipe and experience the ease and delight of a one-pot meal that delivers big on flavor. Don’t forget to customize it with your favorite toppings and make it your own. We’re confident that these Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls will quickly earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection. Happy cooking!