Spiced Chicken with Apricots, Carrots and Bulgur in the Instant Pot

Name: Spiced Chicken with Apricots, Carrots and Bulgur in the Instant Pot
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 42 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: fusion mediterranea
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs; 1 cup medium-grind bulgur; 1.5 cups carrots; 1 cup red onion; 3 oz dried apricots; 4 cloves garlic; 2 cups chicken broth; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp lemon zest; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 1/2 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup fresh parsley; 1/4 cup sliced almonds

An original Instant Pot dish featuring browned chicken thighs, tender bulgur, carrots, red onion, and dried apricots in a spiced broth with cinnamon, cumin, and a touch of lemon. It turns out juicy, aromatic, and balanced, perfect for a complete weeknight meal.

20 minPrep

22 minCook

42 minTotal

4Servings

High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en trozos large)
180 g medium-grind bulgur (enjuagado rápidamente)
200 g carrots (en medias lunas)
150 g red onion (en pluma fina)
90 g dried apricots (cut por the mitad)
12 g garlic (chopped)
480 ml chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
30 ml olive oil (divided)
30 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
2 g lemon zest (finely grated)
4 g ground cumin
1 g ground cinnamon
2 g sweet paprika
1 g ground turmeric
6 g salt (or to taste)
1 g black pepper (freshly ground)
15 g fresh parsley (chopped for terminar)
25 g sliced almonds (tostadas for servir)

Nutrition facts

per serving

528 kcal

Calories

33 g

Protein

36 g

Carbs

27 g

Fat

6 g

Fiber

30 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

GlutenTree Nuts

Instructions

1
1. In a bowl, combine the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, cumin, cinnamon, sweet paprika, turmeric, half of the salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat the pieces.
2
2. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode on high heat. Once the insert is hot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and brown the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring once or twice. It does not need to cook through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
3
3. In the same pot, add the red onion and carrots. Sauté for 2 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, stirring constantly so it does not burn.
4
4. Add the bulgur, dried apricots, chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and the remaining salt. Scrape the bottom well with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits.
5
5. Return the chicken and any juices to the pot, distributing it over the mixture without stirring too much. Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
6
6. When cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 165°F / 74°C.
7
7. Open the lid, gently fluff the bulgur with a fork, and lightly mix to combine the chicken, carrots, and apricots. For a looser texture, let it rest for 2 minutes with Keep Warm turned off.
8
8. Serve topped with fresh parsley and finish with the toasted sliced almonds for a crunchy contrast.

Chef tips

For deeper flavor, toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. If the bulgur absorbs liquid unevenly, stir gently and let it sit covered for 2 more minutes.

Substitutions

You can substitute the dried apricots with chopped prunes. Parsley can be replaced with cilantro for a more herbal profile. The almonds may be omitted to avoid tree nuts, and the bulgur can be swapped for long-grain rice; if so, adjust the liquid and cooking time because the result will vary.

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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