Instant Pot Lemon Frozen Chicken with Orzo

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 35 min
  • Active: 15 min
Once you unlock the secret of cooking frozen chicken in an Instant Pot®, the possibilities for variations become endless. This creamy lemon chicken with orzo is worthy of a dinner with friends, though it is so easy, you'll make it a regular on your weeknight rotation. Make sure you follow the directions for a 10-minute natural release; a quick release left us with dry and stringy meat. 
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Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 ounces button mushrooms, trimmed and sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 shallot, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons thyme leaves

8 ounces orzo (about 1 1/3 cup)

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

2 frozen chicken breasts (6 ounces each)

8 cups baby spinach (about 6 ounces)

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

  1. Set a 6-quart Instant Pot® to high saute and add the butter (see Cook's Note). Once it has melted, add the mushrooms, a good pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper and cook until golden and the excess liquid has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Stir in the shallots and thyme and continue to cook until the shallots have softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the orzo, chicken broth, lemon zest and juice. Put the chicken breasts on top of the orzo and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and a couple grinds of pepper.
  2. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
  3. After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for natural release. After 10 minutes, being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid.
  4. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board with tongs and slice crosswise. Stir the spinach, cream and Parmesan into the orzo. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of pepper and serve alongside the chicken.

Cook’s Note

Settings may vary on your Instant Pot® depending on the model. Please refer to the manufacturer's guide.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Elke Franklin

We loved the orzo part, but the chicken was dry. I will try again with bigger chicken breasts, but if not, the pasta still made an excellent base for any protein.

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