11 Easy Recipes You Can Depend On When You Need A Break

easy instant pot recipes

While many people have been passing the time by cooking and baking while staying home, there’s a difference between doing it because you want to and doing it because you have to. Just because you have the time to hone your sourdough skills doesn’t necessarily mean you want to spend all evening at the stove making dinner!

So if the idea of quick and easy dinner options sounds attractive to you right now, you’re in luck! Because that’s exactly what I have to share with you in today’s post. :-)

More specifically, today we’re talking easy and delicious Instant Pot recipes. Because what could be better than dumping a few things into a pot that does all the work for you? Bon appetit!

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11 Delicious Instant Pot Recipes That Will Make Your Life Easier

easy instant pot recipes

1. Honey Garlic Chicken

This was a favorite stovetop recipe of mine until recently, when I finally adapted it for the Instant Pot! With the help of a tall trivet and a heat-safe bowl, you can cook the chicken and some rice to serve it on at the same time!

Don’t have an Instant Pot? Get the directions for the original stovetop version of this recipe here.

easy instant pot recipes

Ingredients:

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Salt and pepper
2 tsp garlic powder
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1/3 cup honey
1 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided (or vegetable broth, or water)
2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 cup white rice
Sliced green onions, for garnish

easy instant pot recipes

Directions:

  1. Season the chicken thighs with plenty of salt and pepper and the garlic powder, then set aside.
  2. Add the honey, 1/2 cup of the broth (or water,) vinegar, and soy sauce to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
  3. Select Sauté and adjust to Normal if necessary. Add some oil to the bottom of the pot, and once the display reads “hot,” sear the chicken thighs on both sides just long enough to brown them.
  4. Next, add the crushed garlic to the chicken and cook for about 30 more seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.
  5. Then pour the liquid mixture from the small bowl into the pot, and use a wooden spoon to loosen the flavorful bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pot.
  6. Place a tall trivet over the chicken, then press Cancel on your Instant Pot to turn the heat off.
  7. To prepare the rice, rinse and drain the rice then combine it with the remaining 1 cup of broth (or water) in a small, oven-safe bowl. (Note: A small stainless steel mixing bowl works well here. Keep in mind that thicker containers like Pyrex don’t heat up as quickly, so you may need to cook the rice longer.)
  8. Place the bowl of rice on top of the trivet inside the pot, then pressure cook on High for 7 minutes. Allow 10 minutes of Natural Release, then Quick Release any remaining pressure.
  9. Carefully remove the bowl of rice and fluff with a fork, then remove the chicken from the pot. The liquid at the bottom of the pot will be your sauce, so if it’s still a bit thin, you can always use the Sauté function to thicken it up to your liking.
  10. Finally, arrange the chicken on top of the rice, pour the sauce over the top, top with sliced green onions and serve warm. Or feel free to mix it up by serving over veggies, lettuce, or whatever else you like!
easy instant pot recipes

2. Chili

Get the recipe here

When April showers are keeping the temperatures low, there’s no better occasion for a warm bowl of chili! While this hearty chili is cooking away in your Instant Pot, you can focus on making your favorite cornbread (or better yet, putting your feet up and relaxing a while!)

easy instant pot recipes

3. Pot Roast

Get the recipe here

Pot roast always reminds me of Sunday dinners when I was a little girl. This Instant Pot version is perfect for any night of the week, and is sure to go over well with the whole family!

easy instant pot recipes

4. Spare Ribs & “Secret” Sauce

Get the recipe here

My mom’s recipe for spare ribs has been one of my go-to dinners for over 3 decades now! Even my pickiest kids loved these ribs from the time they could eat solid foods, and my Instant Pot adaptation makes it easier than ever!

easy instant pot recipes

5. Cream Cheese Chicken

Get the recipe here

Craving something creamy? This cream cheese chicken couldn’t be easier, or more delicious! Serve a big scoop over lettuce, rice, or tortillas (or anything else, really!)

easy instant pot recipes

Get the recipe here

When I was a girl, my mom used to make navy bean soup the old fashioned way—simmered for hours using a bonafide ham hock. I didn’t appreciated it enough then, but now I can’t get enough of this simple, flavorful soup. And cooking it in the Instant Pot is a total game-changer, because you can achieve the same rich flavor as the classic version in a fraction of the time!

easy instant pot recipes

7. Swedish Meatballs

Get the recipe at Wildly Charmed

If you’re hunting for something warm, comforting, and as simple as can be, look no further! This one-pot Swedish meatballs recipe uses frozen meatballs, so all you have to do is layer the ingredients, cook, and eat!

easy instant pot recipes

8. Chicken Burrito Bowls

Get the recipe at No. 2 Pencil

I can’t resist anything I can eat with sour cream and guacamole, so this recipe caught my eye immediately! I mean, it’s a bowl packed with chicken, rice, black beans, and cheese—what more could you want? :-)

easy instant pot recipes

9. Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Get the recipe at Slow Cooker Gourmet

This spaghetti and meat sauce recipe has tons of veggies built right in, but they’re sneaky enough that they may go undetected by your picky eaters. But it’s a win even if you don’t have picky eaters, because who couldn’t use a few more veggies on their plate?

easy instant pot recipes

10. Sesame Chicken

Get the recipe at Seasonal Cravings

Get your takeout fix at home with this deliciously sweet and saucy chicken recipe! And the best part about this recipe? You can have it on the table in around 20 minutes!

easy instant pot recipes

11. Root Beer Barbecue Chicken

Get the recipe at The Seasoned Mom

This sweet and sticky chicken dish is one of those great recipes that you can get a ton of mileage out of! Make more than you’ll eat at dinner, then use the leftovers them to make barbecue chicken sandwiches, salads, or bowls in the days to come.

Do you have a favorite Instant Pot recipe that wasn’t mentioned here?

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Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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