Instant Pot Chicken with Spiced Pear, Tender Leek, and Turmeric Rice with Pistachios

Name: Instant Pot Chicken with Spiced Pear, Tender Leek, and Turmeric Rice with Pistachios
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 44 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusión mediterránea
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 cups leek; 4 cloves garlic; 1 large pear; 1 cup basmati rice; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp lemon zest; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1/4 cup pistachios; 1/4 cup fresh parsley

An original Instant Pot dish where chicken pressure-cooks with leek, ripe pear, turmeric, and a hint of cinnamon, creating a gentle aromatic sauce that coats the rice. Pistachios and parsley add crunch and freshness at the end.

20 minPrep

24 minCook

44 minTotal

4Servings

High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en trozos large)
6 g salt (divided)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
15 ml olive oil
180 g leek (solo the parte blanca and verde clara, en medias lunas finas)
12 g garlic (chopped)
180 g pear (ripe pero firme, pelada and diced small)
180 g basmati rice (enjuagado and escurrido)
360 ml chicken broth (low sodium)
120 g plain Greek yogurt (at room temperature)
3 g ground turmeric
1 g ground cinnamon
2 g ground cumin
2 g lemon zest
15 ml lemon juice
35 g pistachios (tostados and chopped gruesos)
10 g fresh parsley (chopped)

Nutrition facts

per serving

515 kcal

Calories

34 g

Protein

35 g

Carbs

25 g

Fat

3 g

Fiber

32 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

DairyTree Nuts

Instructions

1
1. Season the chicken with 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin.
2
2. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté on high heat. When the pot is hot, add the olive oil and brown the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring once, until it loses its raw color. It does not need to cook through. Transfer to a plate.
3
3. Add the leek and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until slightly softened. Stir in the garlic and pear, and cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
4
4. Add the basmati rice and stir for 30 seconds to coat it in the aromatic juices. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom well to release any stuck bits and prevent the burn warning.
5
5. Return the chicken and any juices to the pot. Lock the lid, set the valve to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
6
6. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure manually.
7
7. Open the lid and let it stand for 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with the lemon zest, lemon juice, and the remaining 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt. Stir this mixture into the pot gradually, gently folding to create a creamy sauce without curdling the yogurt.
8
8. Serve hot and finish with the chopped pistachios and fresh parsley on top.

Chef tips

For a fluffier texture, rinse the rice until the water runs almost clear. If you want extra color and aroma, lightly toast the pistachios before chopping. If you want to reheat leftovers in a baked style, transfer to an oven-safe dish and warm at 375 °F / 190 °C for 10 minutes.

Substitutions

You can use chicken breast instead of thighs, though it will be slightly less juicy. Sliced almonds can replace pistachios if you do not need to avoid other tree nuts. Greek yogurt can be swapped for lactose-free plain yogurt for a gentler version.

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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