🍲 Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice

 If you love cozy, family-friendly dinners but hate dishes, this one-pot Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is about to become a regular in your meal rotation. It’s creamy, comforting, and comes together quickly with minimal cleanup — perfect for busy weeknights.

This recipe is inspired by a classic baked casserole, but adapted to be made entirely in the Instant Pot, saving time and your sanity.

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Ingredients (Instant Pot Version)

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1″ pieces)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp seasoned salt (plus extra pepper to taste)

• Liquid & Rice:

  • 2 cups uncooked long‑grain white rice (rinsed)

  • 2½ cups low‑sodium chicken broth

• Sauce & Veggies:

  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup

  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream (optional, adds extra creaminess)

  • 12 oz broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)

• Cheese:

  • ~3 cups shredded Colby Jack or cheddar cheese (reserve ~1 cup for topping)

Tip: If you’re using rotisserie chicken, add it near the end just to heat through instead of pressure cooking the raw pieces.

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Step‑by‑Step (Instant Pot)

1. Sauté the Chicken

1️⃣ Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté mode.
2️⃣ Add olive oil, then add the chicken pieces.
3️⃣ Sprinkle with onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and pepper.
4️⃣ Cook 3–4 minutes, just until they begin to brown. (This is optional — but boosts flavor.)

2. Add Rice & Broth

5️⃣ Pour in rinsed rice and chicken broth.

• Do not stir; just spread rice evenly.
  6️⃣ Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom to prevent “burn” errors.

3. Pressure Cook

7️⃣ Lock the lid.
8️⃣ Set to High Pressure for 6 minutes.
9️⃣ When done, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.

4. Add Broccoli & Sauce

🔟 Open the pot. Stir in the broccoli.
1️⃣1️⃣ In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and heavy cream (if using).
1️⃣2️⃣ Pour this creamy mixture into the Instant Pot and gently stir everything together.

5. Add Cheese & Serve

1️⃣3️⃣ Mix in 2 cups of the shredded cheese until melted.
1️⃣4️⃣ Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup on top, close the lid or cover with a plate, and let sit 3–5 minutes so it melts perfectly.
1️⃣5️⃣ Serve hot and enjoy! 😋

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⭐ Notes & Tips

• Creamier texture: Adding the heavy cream makes it richer, similar to the baked version.

• Rotisserie chicken: Add at the end so it stays juicy instead of drying out.

• Using frozen broccoli? No need to thaw — just add after pressure cooking the rice.

• Optional baking finish: If you want a slightly browned top, you can spread the cheesy casserole into a baking dish and broil for a couple of minutes.