If you've ever landed on a recipe and felt instantly at ease — like someone who genuinely loves feeding people is guiding you — then you already know what it's like to cook with Natasha Kravchuk. The Idaho-based food blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen has built one of the most loyal communities in home cooking, with millions of subscribers and readers who return again and again because her recipes simply work. Her approach is warm, unfussy, and deeply practical — and her Instant Pot Chicken and Rice is one of the best examples of that philosophy in action.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Chicken and rice is one of those dishes that sounds humble on paper but can be transcendent when done right. Natasha's version leans into the pressure cooker's ability to build deep, savory flavor in a fraction of the time a stovetop or oven version would require. The result is creamy, cheesy, and tender — with the chicken practically melting into each bite. It's the kind of weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but comes together in about 30 minutes from start to finish.
What makes the Instant Pot the ideal tool here is how it handles the rice. Under pressure, the grains absorb all of the chicken's rendered juices and the seasoned broth, developing a richness you'd struggle to replicate any other way. There's no separate pot of rice, no timing juggle — everything cooks together and finishes at once.
Key Tips from the Technique
- Use long-grain white rice: It holds up beautifully under pressure without turning mushy, giving you distinct, fluffy grains in the finished dish.
- Don't skip the sauté step: Browning the chicken briefly before pressure cooking adds a layer of flavor to the base that carries through the entire dish.
- Layer carefully: Natasha places the rice beneath the chicken so the grains are fully submerged in liquid — this ensures even cooking and prevents any scorching on the bottom.
- Natural pressure release matters: Letting the pot sit after cooking allows the rice to finish absorbing steam and prevents it from becoming gluey.
- Add cheese at the very end: Stirring in shredded cheese after the lid comes off keeps it silky and smooth rather than clumped or grainy.
Watch Natasha Make It
Natasha walks through the entire recipe in her signature style — clear instructions, helpful on-camera detail, and plenty of reassurance for anyone new to pressure cooking. Hit play and you'll have dinner on the table in no time.
A Natural Fit for Artisan Cookware
Once the chicken and rice is done, this is a meal that deserves a proper serving vessel — and that's where Artisan Cookware's Stackable Insert Pans shine. If you're cooking for a crowd or want to prepare a side vegetable simultaneously in your Instant Pot, the inserts let you steam broccoli or green beans right above the chicken and rice with zero extra effort. For leftovers, our Stainless Steel Casseroles seal in freshness beautifully and go straight from fridge to table.
Happy cooking — and as Natasha would say, make it a great one.
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