Instant Pot® Chicken Congee (Chinese Rice Porridge)

Chicken congee, a popular Chinese rice porridge dish, can also be made on the stovetop, but this version cooks in an Instant Pot® for extra ease.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 239 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• nonstick cooking spray
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced, or more to taste
• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and julienned
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth, divided, or more to taste
• 6 thick slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch strips

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and rice in a bowl; set aside.

Step 2

Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Spray with cooking spray and add bacon. Saute until bacon is crisp, but not burned, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.

Step 3

Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot and cook in the bacon grease until onion is soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove 1/2 the onion mixture to a small bowl. Slowly pour in 1 cup chicken broth and scrape off any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add chicken breasts to the pot and turn off Saute function.

Step 4

Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 12 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

Step 5

Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and carefully remove the lid. Pour in rice and broth mixture. Close and seal the lid. Select the rice setting and cook for 12 minutes (should be preset).

Step 6

Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken breasts and shred with 2 forks. Return chicken to the pot. Add remaining onion mixture, chopped bacon, and sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper. Select the soup setting and add remaining chicken broth, 1/4 cup at a time (up to 1 1/2 cups), if desired. Simmer briefly until desired consistency is reached.