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One of my favorite quick side dishes to serve for dinner is a box of yellow rice that I can throw together on my stove top, but I know there are healthier options out there for my family. This version of Instant Pot rice pilaf only takes a few minutes to prepare and tastes incredible – so much better than any box of rice and it’s just as easy to make!
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make our Instant Pot rice pilaf, you need the following ingredients:
- Butter
- Orzo pasta
- White rice
- Chicken broth
- Green bell pepper
- Red bell pepper
- Yellow onion
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Our Instant Pot Rice Pilaf Recipe
- Press SAUTE button on Instant Pot and let it heat up. Once hot, add in butter and let it start to melt.
- Add the orzo pasta to the pot and cook for 2 minutes or until it starts to lightly brown.
- Add the rice to the pot and cook for 3 minutes or until it turns bright white.
- Pour in the chicken broth on top of the pasta and rice, then add in the bell peppers, onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Don’t stir the broth in.
- Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and move the valve to SEALING.
Press the CANCEL button to turn off the saute function, then press PRESSURE COOK (or the MANUAL button). Set the timer for 3 minutes. - When the timer is finished, allow the pressure to do a NATURAL RELEASE (this will take 10-15 minutes).
Remove the lid and mix the rice/pasta mixture together with all the other ingredients.
If desired, top individual servings with fresh parsley.
Recipe Notes
We recommend rinsing your rice before cooking. Just rinsing in cold water in a bowl for a few minutes works great.
Enjoy More Delicious Rice Side Dishes
Need the perfect compliment to your main dish? You’ll want to try these delicious side dishes. Browse our comprehensive collection of simple side dish recipes.
- Easy Mexican Salsa Rice
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Instant Pot Lemon Rice Pilaf
- Instant Pot White Rice
- Spanish Cauliflower Rice
Instant Pot Rice Pilaf Recipe
This Instant Pot rice pilaf only takes a few minutes to prepare, easy to make, and tastes incredible, perfect for busy week nights.
Serving people
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ⅓ cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- chopped fresh parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- Press SAUTE button on Instant Pot and let it heat up. Once hot, add in butter and let it start to melt.
- Add the orzo pasta to the pot and cook for 2 minutes or until it starts to lightly brown.
- Add the rice to the pot and cook for 3 minutes or until it turns bright white.
- Pour in the chicken broth on top of the pasta and rice, then add in the bell peppers, onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Don't stir the broth in.
- Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and move the valve to SEALING.
- Press the CANCEL button to turn off the saute function, then press PRESSURE COOK (or the MANUAL button). Set the timer for 3 minutes.
- When the timer is finished, allow the pressure to do a NATURAL RELEASE (this will take 10-15 minutes).
- Remove the lid and mix the rice/pasta mixture together with all the other ingredients.
- If desired, top individual servings with fresh parsley.
Notes
We recommend rinsing your rice before cooking. Just rinsing in cold water in a bowl for a few minutes works great.
Nutrition
Calories: 225 kcal · Carbohydrates: 34 g · Protein: 4 g · Fat: 8 g · Saturated Fat: 5 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 22 mg · Sodium: 476 mg · Potassium: 133 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 2 g · Vitamin A: 679 IU · Vitamin C: 27 mg · Calcium: 20 mg · Iron: 1 mg
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
This is my go-to recipe when I need rice fast for the kids!