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PC Instant Pot 30 30 Minutes or Less OP One Pan GF Gluten-Free

Southwestern Instant Pot Chicken and Quinoa

4.41
/5
21 mins
83 Comments
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 10/23/2017Updated: 06/14/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

A complete meal that's made in one pot and is ready in 30 minutes, healthy, and full of flavor -- this Instant Pot chicken is a weeknight lifesaver!

A complete meal that’s made in one pot and is ready in 30 minutes, healthy, and full of flavor — this Instant Pot chicken is a weeknight lifesaver!

Overhead of small white plate with serving of chicken and quinoa, garnished with sliced green onions and tomatoes.

Admittedly, this recipe isn’t the prettiest thing in the world. However, on my reader survey, it was pretty clear what most of you wanted. More healthy recipes! More 30 minute meals! More Instant Pot recipes. Boom — this one covers all three.

You guys weren’t so much into special diet recipes and guess what? This definitely isn’t Whole30 compliant and it’s not dairy-free or vegan. It does happen to be gluten-free (which surprisingly most of you aren’t into at all), but it’s purely coincidence. How do they call it? Naturally gluten-free? That’s this recipe.

Also, I know you’re not all owners of an Instant Pot — it’s okay! There are plenty more non-Instant Pot recipes in the days to come.

Round white plate with chicken and quinoa, with Instant pot in background.

If you’re looking to purchase an Instant Pot, this is the one I have. I initially used it mostly for food prep such as boiled eggs and shredded chicken breasts but have found that it does so much more than that! I’m expanding my repertoire of Instant Pot recipes to include more dinner recipes – you all know how much I love a dinner that’s made in one pot/pan/dish!

More about this Instant Pot Chicken:

This Instant Pot chicken recipe is basically magic. You put all the ingredients into the Instant Pot and seal it and about 30 minutes later, BOOM. DINNER IS SERVED. Chicken, quinoa, vegetables, everything you need. You all know how much I love toppings, and this recipe is perfect for toppings. Cilantro, green onions, avocado, tomatoes, sour cream, whatever your heart desires.

I can’t wait to hear what you all think of this one! Make sure to come back and rate the recipe after you make it. If you do make it, snap a photo and post it on Instagram – make sure to tag me and use the hashtag #RachelCooks — I LOVE seeing what you’re making in the kitchen!

Overhead of white plate containing serving of chicken.

Want to kick this up a notch and make it a little more unique? Learn how to pickle red onions (you won’t believe how easy it is!) and sprinkle a few on top!

More healthy Instant Pot recipes

  • Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
  • Fall Instant Pot Shakshuka With Butternut Squash
  • Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce 
  • Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes
  • Instant Pot Chili
  • Healthy Chicken Piccata in the Instant Pot
  • 21+ Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
  • Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes by Creme de la Crumb

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Overhead of round white plate containing chicken with quinoa, instant pot in background.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Southwestern Instant Pot Chicken and Quinoa

4.41 from 49 votes
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Additional Time: 1 min
Total Time: 21 mins
4 servings
Print Rate Recipe
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A complete meal that's made in one pot and is ready in 30 minutes, healthy, and full of flavor -- this Instant Pot chicken is a weeknight lifesaver!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces (1 cup) chicken broth
  • 1 can (15oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes with their juice
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1-2 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In the bottom of your Instant Pot, stir together chicken broth, quinoa, beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion and one tablespoon of taco seasoning. Place chicken on top and sprinkle with remaining taco seasoning. Secure lid of Instant Pot and turn valve to seal.
  • Set Instant Pot for manual (or poultry) for 10 minutes.
  • Turn valve to “vent” to quick release pressure. Chicken should be at 165 degrees Fahrenheit or above. When pressure is released, remove lid and sprinkle cheese on top. Place cover back on for 1 minute or until cheese is melted.
  • Serve chicken immediately with quinoa mixture.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1of 4, Calories: 752kcal, Carbohydrates: 66g, Protein: 77g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 173mg, Sodium: 1470mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 23g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
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  1. wazza says

    February 1, 2023 at 4:46 am

    5 stars
    super easy and breeze to make n very tasty

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      February 3, 2023 at 9:19 am

      Glad you enjoyed! Thank you for sharing a photo!

      Reply
  2. Gerda says

    August 11, 2022 at 3:09 am

    Hi, I would like to try this dish but it does not state in the instructions if chicken breast needs to be cut up before it goes in it IP or left whole and shredded after cooking? Thank you

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 17, 2022 at 10:49 pm

      It’s left whole. :)

      Reply
  3. Janelle says

    January 26, 2022 at 8:52 pm

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe many times in my 6qt and it is fabulous. Absolutely delicious and the whole fam likes it. We actually don’t use chicken, we brown ground beef in a skillet and serve that on top with spring mix, lime, and cheese.
    So this week I tried to make the recipe doubled, in my 8 qt and I got a burn notice… twice. Any recommendations on what to do differently??

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      January 28, 2022 at 10:03 am

      Hmm, weird! I don’t have an 8qt so I’ve never tested it that way. Maybe try increasing the liquid slightly?

      Reply
    • Gerda says

      August 11, 2022 at 3:21 am

      BURN notice comes up if you stir your diced tomatoes:) NEVER STIR tomatoes in the IP.

      Reply
      • Rachel Gurk says

        August 17, 2022 at 10:48 pm

        I’ve never gotten the burn notice, but thanks for the tip!

        Reply
  4. Patricia says

    January 4, 2022 at 7:28 pm

    4 stars
    This was a great tasty recip, I did not have enough chicken so added another protein and WOW,
    DELICIOUS

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      January 11, 2022 at 6:20 am

      So glad you liked it. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, it means a lot!

      Reply
  5. Lisa says

    December 6, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    Very tasty and packed with protein. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      December 7, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  6. Chris E. says

    November 5, 2021 at 11:22 pm

    5 stars
    I do the cooking in the family, and I do a lot of it. I’ve never had an Instant Pot meal come out well—always too wet or mushy or overcooked or undercooked. Until this one. I was putting dinner together and I had frozen chicken breasts, quinoa, and impatience. I found this recipe and got everything else (kidney beans instead of black, but everything else on hand). Upped the cooking time to 15 minutes because the chicken was frozen. Because steamed cheese is a crime against God, after cooking I transferred the results to a cast-iron skillet, topped it with cheese, and finished it under the broiler. And it was PERFECT. Everything cooked well, chicken was tender, nothing was runny, flavor balance was very nice. My daughter went back for thirds! Now I’m going to bookmark this site.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      November 8, 2021 at 9:22 pm

      So glad you liked it! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, it means a lot to me!

      Reply
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