To ensure busy weeknight household roll-offs a quick prep to make dinner is all you need. These ingredient-rich quick-fix recipes show you don’t need hours in the kitchen to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.
When life gets busy, the last thing we want is to spend hours in the kitchen. Good news? With promising recipes, it’s possible to have a nutritious, comforting, and delicious dinner on the table in just minutes. For these food-rated, whether an Instant Pot lover, a classic stove-top user, or a one-pan meal maker, all the following ideas can save you time without sacrificing flavor.
Table of Contents
Today you will learn how to make a complete nutritious dinner with the instant pot, which will be ready to serve in just a few minutes, and best of all, it will be delicious.
One of the Best-Known Meals in the World
Chicken and rice is a very traditional dish in Spain and some Latin American countries and it’s known respectively as Paella and Arroz con pollo. Even in many popular restaurants this dish will be found in every meal.
Also, each of them has its version of this meal. For example:
In Ecuador, it is made with achiote to give a yellow hue to the rice and it is customary to add raisins.
In Argentina, the chicken is served in pieces, accompanied by vegetables, and mixed in a tomato puree called “tuco“.
And in Peru, it is common to find this dish served in a sofrito of aji panca, which gives it an unmistakable red color. and the same as Chinese Arborio Rice.
Chicken Breast and Rice
Here’s a quick and versatile version you can try in your Instant Pot:
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning (or herbs of choice)
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (rinsed)
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped.
How to Prepare
- Pour the butter and the olive oil into the instant pot and select the sauté function. When the butter melts, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon until translucent.
- Add the carrots, garlic, and celery. Stir fry for two minutes or more, stirring well until the vegetables are softened and the garlic releases its fragrance.
- Add the red bell pepper, salt, chicken stock, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir using a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot.
- Pour the rice into the pot and stir well to mix with the vegetables. Add the chicken breast pieces on the top. Then place the lid on, lock it carefully, and seal the steam vent. Select the pressure cooking mode at high pressure and let the rice cook for 18 minutes.
- At the end of cooking, let the steam escape naturally for 10 minutes, and then use the quick-release function to remove the remaining steam.
- Place the chicken breast on a plate and chop or shred it.
- Add the peas and 1 tbsp of parsley to the pot. Stir.
- Add the diced chicken breast back to the pot. Add salt or more Italian seasoning until it gets the desired flavor.
- Serve the rice and chicken portions in a bowl using the wooden spoon and top with the remaining parsley for garnish. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Flavor Swap – There’s no limit to what you can use to flavor your rice. Try curry paste with coconut milk, taco seasoning with salsa, or even spice it up with some Cajun flavor!
- Healthy Upgrade – You can use brown rice instead of white, and cook times have to be extended to around 35 minutes to make sure that it is completely cooked right through. Use chicken thighs for greater tenderness in this new dinner recipe.
- Serving Ideas – Along with salad, roasted vegetables, or toasted bread slices make a great accompaniment for this delicious rice meal.
- Meal Prep – Store in the fridge for up to 4 days for quick weekday lunches.
The recipe is perfect for meal prep. Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days in the fridge or freeze portions for up to 2 months.
Using Brown Rice for Making a Healthier Meal
One change that can be made when preparing this dish to make it more natural is to switch from long-grain white rice to brown rice.
The amount of fiber in brown rice is essential for improving the digestion process that occurs in the small intestine and will make you feel fuller, as well as more nutritious, especially because of its manganese and selenium content.
You can accompany brown rice with chicken thighs and cook them following the same procedure explained in the “How to prepare” section, changing the cooking time in the instant pot from 18 to 35 minutes.
Alternative Quick Dinner Ideas
Here are some of the quick alternative dinner ideas for you to consider;
Pasta with Sauce
Boil pasta (such as spaghetti or penne) according to package instructions. While it cooks, heat up store-bought pasta sauce in a separate pot or microwave. Once the pasta is done, drain it and mix it with the sauce. Add some grated cheese and herbs for extra flavor.
Stir-Fry
Heat oil in a pan or wok over high heat. Add your choice of protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu) and quickly cook until browned. Add pre-cut vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas) and stir-fry for a few minutes. Season with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Serve with rice or noodles.
Quesadillas
Place a tortilla on a heated skillet or griddle. Add shredded cheese, leftover cooked chicken or beef, and any desired fillings (sliced bell peppers, onions, etc.) on one half of the tortilla. Fold it over and cook until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese melts. Repeat with more tortillas as needed.
Eggs
Eggs are quick and versatile. Make scrambled eggs by whisking eggs with salt, pepper, and any desired additions (chopped vegetables, cheese, ham) for your quick dinner. Cook in a non-stick pan until scrambled and cooked through. Serve with toast or as a filling for a breakfast burrito.
Salad with Protein
Toss together a quick salad with pre-washed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and any other veggies you have on hand. Add protein like canned tuna, grilled chicken, or chickpeas. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Butter two slices of bread. Place cheese slices between the bread slices. Cook the sandwich on a heated skillet or griddle until the bread is golden and the cheese melts. Serve with a side of tomato soup for a classic combination.
Frozen Meals
Keep some frozen meals or pre-packaged meals in your freezer for emergencies. Look for options with minimal processing and healthier ingredients. Follow the package instructions for cooking or heating.
Sheet Pan Meals
Toss salmon or chicken with olive oil, herbs, and chopped vegetables. Put it all to roast on one tray, which comes to be a total meal with no big washing up.
Wraps & Pitas
Stick pita bread with hummus, shredded chicken, and fresh vegetables for a very handy and refreshing meal.
Smoothie Bowls
Blend fruit, yogurt, and milk. Pour into a bowl and sprinkle with granola or another type of cereal. For those days when you need something quick and filling that’s also yummy to eat.
Quick Reference List (preptime in bullet points):
- Instant Pot Chicken & Rice – 30 min.
- Pasta with Sauce–15 min.
- Stir Fry – 20 min.
- Quesadillas – 10 min.
- Egg– 10 min.
- Salad with Protein –10 min
- Grilled cheese/soup -15min
- Sheet Pan Meals – 25mins
- Wraps & Pitas – 10 min
- Smoothie Bowls – 5min.
Final Thoughts
Fast dinners can be full of variety; just a little bit of forethought pays off conveniently, and you can enjoy flavorful, balanced meals in under 30 minutes. While you may throw together a grilled cheese in the pot or mix up everything yourself, these strategies have been presented as a step away from the mundane routines; afterward, you will get some well-deserved rest.
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