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Crunchy Instant Pot Homestyle Chicken and Veggies

A hearty and satisfying meal combining tender chicken and vibrant vegetables, perfect for easy lunches.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breast)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or your favorite cooking oil)
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (like carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
Optional Toppings
  • chopped fresh herbs (like parsley or cilantro) For garnish
  • lemon juice For flavor enhancement
  • roasted almonds For added crunch

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Ensure every piece is coated well for maximum flavor.
Cooking
  1. Turn on the Instant Pot and set it to ‘Sauté’ mode. Once it’s hot, add the olive oil.
  2. When the oil shimmers, add the seasoned chicken to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is browned on the outside.
  3. Stir in your mixed vegetables along with the chicken broth. Mix well to combine everything and scrape off any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  4. Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the valve is set to ‘Sealing’. Set the pot to ‘Pressure Cook’ for 10 minutes.
  5. Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before switching the valve to ‘Venting’ to release any remaining steam.
  6. Carefully remove the lid and taste for seasoning. If you desire extra crunch, you can transfer the mixture to a baking dish and broil it in the oven for 5 minutes.
Serving
  1. Distribute the crunchy chicken and veggies into serving bowls.
  2. Top with your choice of fresh herbs, a sprinkle of lemon juice, or roasted almonds for extra texture.

Notes

Substitutions include turkey or tofu for a vegetarian version. Always ensure there's enough liquid to prevent the 'Burn' notice on the Instant Pot.