Instant Pot Mexican Rice Bowl
Serves 2-4
The Instant Pot is excellent for one-pot meals, especially as you can sauté ingredients first without using multiple pieces of equipment. This is just such a dish, it is quick to prepare and can be as easy (or as (moderately) complicated!) as you like; you can use homemade or shop bought spice mixes, omit any toppings or have all the toppings.
It is gluten free, and if you are including the chicken, it’s a good way to use up leftovers from a roast and make a completely different second meal. However it can also be a vegan meal (just don’t include any meat and keep the toppings vegan friendly). If you’re not including any meat then using beans is a good alternative protein. If you are using meat, then it’s a good way to bulk the meal out to serve more people.
N.B. It is important to keep the rice on the top of the contents in the Instant Pot to avoid it catching or burning.
- Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 red onion, medium dice
- 1 pepper, medium dice
- 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
- 1 portion of fajita spice mix (or a shop bought sachet)
- 130g sweetcorn (tinned or frozen)
- Optional: 1 tin of (kidney) beans, drained
- 150g basmati or long grain rice (approx. 1 Instant Pot cup)
- 320ml water (2 Instant Pot cups)
- Optional: 2 raw chicken breasts or 250g cooked shredded chicken
- Optional toppings:
- Sliced spring onions
- Grated/crumbled cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomato
- Sour cream
- Avocado/guacamole
- Sliced jalapeños
- Lime wedges
Step 1: Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add the oil along with the onion and pepper. Cook for a few of minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Step 2: Add the tinned tomatoes and spice mix. Stir well. Sprinkle in the sweet corn and beans (if using). If you are using raw chicken breasts, place in the pot now.
Step 3: Add the water and rice (sprinkle evenly around the pot).
Step 4: Switch off sauté mode and place the lid on and ensure be valve is set to sealing. Manually set on high pressure for 10 minutes.
Step 5: When complete, carefully release the pressure using a wooden spoon and a tea towel.
Step 6: If you have cooked the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, shred these now. If you are using ready-cooked/left over chicken, stir through the rice now. Replace the lid and leave for a couple of minutes to heat through.
Step 7: Serve each portion in bowls with a selection of toppings of your choice.
