Instant Pot Chicken with Roasted Grapes, Leek, Creamy Rice, and Lemon Thyme

Name: Instant Pot Chicken with Roasted Grapes, Leek, Creamy Rice, and Lemon Thyme
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 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; 1 1/2 cups leek; 3 cloves garlic; 1 tbsp fresh thyme; 2 tsp lemon zest; 1 cup Arborio rice; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 1/3 cups seedless red grapes; 1 tbsp butter; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 2 cups baby spinach

An original Instant Pot dish with browned chicken thighs, tender leeks, grapes that turn juicy and lightly sweet, and creamy rice scented with thyme, lemon, and a touch of Parmesan. It balances savory and fruity flavors in a comforting one-pot meal.

20 minPrep

30 minCook

50 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 (for dorar)
180 g leek (en medias lunas finas, solo parte blanca and verde claro)
9 g garlic (chopped)
4 g fresh thyme (hojitas, more extra for terminar)
4 g lemon zest (finely grated)
220 g Arborio rice (without enjuagar)
480 ml chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
200 g seedless red grapes (cut por the mitad)
15 g butter (for finalizar)
35 g grated Parmesan cheese (more extra optional for servir)
15 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
60 g baby spinach (for mezclar al final)

Nutrition facts

per serving

514 kcal

Calories

33 g

Protein

36 g

Carbs

25 g

Fat

2 g

Fiber

34 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

Dairy

Instructions

1
1. Season the chicken with 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt and the black pepper. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté on high. When the insert is hot, add the olive oil and brown the chicken for 3-4 minutes, stirring once, until lightly colored. Transfer to a plate.
2
2. Add the leek to the pot and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until softened. Stir in the garlic, fresh thyme, and lemon zest; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3
3. Add the Arborio rice and stir for 1 minute so it is well coated. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
4
4. Return the chicken and any juices to the pot. Scatter the grapes over the top without stirring too much. Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. The Instant Pot high-pressure setting runs at about 239°F/115°C.
5
5. When the cycle ends, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure. Open the lid and stir gently.
6
6. Add the butter, Parmesan, lemon juice, the remaining 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt, and the baby spinach. Stir for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the rice becomes creamy.
7
7. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve hot with a little extra fresh thyme and more Parmesan if desired.

Chef tips

If you want the grapes more concentrated with lightly roasted notes, sauté them separately for 1 minute before adding. For a looser texture, stir in an extra 60 ml (1/4 cup) broth at the end.

Substitutions

You can use turkey thigh instead of chicken, and mild Pecorino instead of Parmesan. If you do not have leek, use chopped sweet onion. For a dairy-free version, omit the butter and Parmesan and add 1 extra tablespoon of olive oil.

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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