Instant Pot Chicken and Shrimp Spanish Rice

This chicken and shrimp Spanish rice is made in the Instant Pot for quick cooking and minimal cleanup. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or weekend dinners. It has succulent flavors and savory aromas to fill your kitchen.

All about Instant Pot Chicken and Shrimp Spanish Rice

The combination of chicken, shrimp, rice, and vegetables in a savory sauce makes for a flavorful and satisfying one-pot meal. You can customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables and seasonings. And the whole meal comes together in little time with the help of an Instant Pot.

The Instant Pot makes cooking this Spanish rice easy. With the push of a button, you can have your food ready to serve in as little as 35 minutes. And cleanup is quick and simple with just one pot.

This recipe is a balanced meal as it provides protein, carbohydrate, and fat all in one dish. The bell peppers, onion, garlic, and tomato are packed with vitamins and minerals. The chicken breast and prawns provide lean protein. And the olive oil adds a significant amount of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Ingredients You’ll Need for this Recipe

• Long-grain white rice
• Water or chicken stock
• Chicken breast strips
• Small cleaned and deveined prawns
• Yellow bell pepper
• Green bell pepper
• Red onion
• Garlic cloves
• Big juicy tomato
• Bunch of fresh cilantro
• Tomato paste concentrate
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil
• Chili flakes
• Cumin seeds

How to Make Chicken and Shrimp Spanish Rice in the Instant Pot

1. Finely dice the bell peppers, tomato, and red onion. Press or mince the garlic cloves.
2. Turn on the saute mode on medium heat on the Instant Pot. Heat the olive oil and stir fry the garlic, onion, tomato, and bell peppers until golden and fragrant.
3. Add the chicken strips and prawns to the Instant Pot and season them with salt, pepper, cumin, and chili flakes. Continue to saute on medium heat until all the ingredients are cooked and golden.
4. Add the rice and tomato paste to the Instant Pot and stir until combined.
5. Add the water or chicken stock, mix well, and close the Instant Pot.
6. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. When the cooking time is completed, do a manual release of pressure immediately.
7. Serve with some fresh chopped cilantro sprinkled on top.

Tips and Variations for Making this Spanish Rice

When cooking Spanish rice in the Instant Pot, it’s important to follow these tips for the best result.

• Use a good-quality long-grain rice. Avoid using converted or parboiled rice because it may not cook as well in the Instant Pot.
• Do a manual release immediately when the Instant Pot finishes cooking. Otherwise, the rice will keep cooking while the Instant Pot completes the natural release of pressure. This will make your rice overcooked and mushy.
• To give your Spanish rice more flavor, use chicken or vegetable stock instead of plain water.
• Use green, red, or yellow red peppers for this dish. I like adding different color peppers for fun and to add to its visual appeal.
• If you want a little extra kick, add diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper at the end.
• Try adding taco seasoning with the water or chicken stock for a Mexican flavor.
• For more color, add a pinch of turmeric.
• For a spicy twist, add diced jalapeño peppers and chili powder to the mix.
• For a smokier flavor, add smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder to taste.
• Top the Spanish rice with fresh grated sharp cheddar cheese or your favorite variety of cheese. Add sauteed mushrooms for added flavor and texture.
• Serve this dish with a dollop of sour cream or guacamole.

Instant Pot Spanish Rice FAQs

Can I make this recipe with brown rice?

Yes, you can make this recipe with brown rice, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and amount of liquid used. Brown rice often takes longer to cook than white rice, so increase the cooking time to 15 minutes on high pressure and add 1/4 cup more water or chicken stock.

Is this Spanish rice recipe gluten free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten free. Make sure to check that your tomato paste and chicken stock are certified gluten free if needed.

How do I store leftovers of chicken and shrimp Spanish rice?

Store leftovers of the cooked chicken and shrimp Spanish rice in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Other Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup (+ stovetop method)
• Healthy Instant Pot Banana Bread
• Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
• Healthy Instant Pot Apple Butter