Instant Pot Chicken with Zucchini, Toasted Coconut Rice and Lime Basil

Name: Instant Pot Chicken with Zucchini, Toasted Coconut Rice and Lime Basil
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 42 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: fusión
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 1/4 cups jasmine rice; 10.5 oz zucchini; 1 cup yellow onion; 4 cloves garlic; 1 tbsp fresh ginger; 1 cup light coconut milk; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp lime zest; 2 tbsp lime juice; 1/2 cup fresh basil; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp ground turmeric; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3/4 tsp salt

An original Instant Pot dish featuring browned chicken thighs, tender zucchini, jasmine rice cooked with light coconut milk, and a fresh finish of lime and basil. Aromatic, balanced, and easy for a complete one-pot dinner.

20 minPrep

22 minCook

42 minTotal

4Servings

Dairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en trozos large)
240 g jasmine rice (enjuagado and escurrido)
300 g zucchini (en medias lunas gruesas)
150 g yellow onion (chopped)
12 g garlic (chopped)
15 g fresh ginger (grated)
240 ml light coconut milk (well agitada)
360 ml chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
20 g unsweetened shredded coconut (for tostar lightly)
15 ml olive oil (divided)
30 ml soy sauce (or tamari if desired)
2 g lime zest (of 1 lima)
30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
12 g fresh basil (leaves rasgadas)
2 g ground cumin
1 g ground turmeric
1 g black pepper
4 g salt (ajustar to taste)

Nutrition facts

per serving

520 kcal

Calories

32 g

Protein

43 g

Carbs

23 g

Fat

3.5 g

Fiber

39.5 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Soy

Instructions

1
1. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté on high. Add the shredded coconut and toast for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until lightly golden and fragrant. Transfer to a plate and reserve.
2
2. Toss the chicken with soy sauce, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt.
3
3. Add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to the hot pot. Brown the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the surface is no longer raw. Remove the chicken and set aside.
4
4. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens. Stir in the zucchini and cook 1 minute more.
5
5. Add the jasmine rice and stir for 30 seconds to coat it with the aromatics. Pour in the chicken broth, light coconut milk, and lime zest. Scrape the bottom well to release any browned bits and help prevent a burn warning.
6
6. Return the chicken to the pot and spread it over the rice without stirring too much. Lock the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
7
7. When the cooking cycle ends, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Then carefully release any remaining pressure.
8
8. Open the lid, add the lime juice, fresh basil, and the remaining salt if needed. Gently fluff the rice with a fork and mix just enough to combine the zucchini and chicken without breaking the grains too much.
9
9. Serve hot, finishing each portion with the reserved toasted coconut on top. If you want to keep it warm before serving, use the Keep Warm function; a safe hot serving temperature is at least 165 °F / 74 °C.

Chef tips

For fluffier rice, rinse it until the water runs almost clear. Cut the zucchini into thick pieces so it holds its shape better after pressure cooking.

Substitutions

You can swap the basil for fresh cilantro for a more herbal profile. Jasmine rice can be replaced with basmati rice in the same amount, though the final texture will be slightly firmer. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
View on Amazon
Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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Illustrative image
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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