Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls (Print Version)
A hearty one-pot meal with chicken, rice, beans, and vibrant Mexican flavors ready in under 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup frozen corn
→ Grains
06 - 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
→ Legumes
07 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
→ Liquids
08 - 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel style), undrained
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Toppings (optional but recommended)
16 - Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
17 - Sour cream
18 - Sliced avocado
19 - Fresh cilantro
20 - Lime wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Set the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode. Once hot, add a splash of oil and sauté the onion and bell pepper for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
02 - Add the chicken pieces, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat chicken with spices; sauté for 2–3 minutes until lightly browned but not cooked through.
03 - Stir in the rice. Add chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to ensure no bits are stuck.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with green chilies (with juices), black beans, and corn. Do not stir (to avoid a 'burn' warning).
05 - Close the lid, set the valve to 'Sealing', and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
06 - When timer is done, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
07 - Fluff the mixture with a fork. Serve hot, topped with cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pot, which means practically zero cleanup and more time on the couch
- The rice absorbs all those Mexican spices while cooking with the chicken, making every bite incredibly flavorful
02 -
- Not stirring after adding the tomatoes and beans is crucial because it prevents food from settling on the bottom and causing the burn warning
- Letting the pressure release naturally for those 5 minutes makes the rice perfectly fluffy instead of gummy or undercooked
03 -
- Rinse your rice until the water runs completely clear to prevent that gummy texture that ruins otherwise perfect burrito bowls
- Let the chicken get a little color during the sauté step because that browning adds depth of flavor you cannot achieve any other way