Instant Pot Turmeric Yellow Rice with Chicken Recipe

Best Turmeric Yellow Rice with Chicken (Instant Pot) is a flavorful one-pot rice dish that cooks in about seven minutes. The ingredients are simple and easy to find.

If you enjoy this recipe, try other Instant Pot rice dishes such as One Pot Chicken and Rice, How to Cook Rice in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, or a Salmon Rice Bowl.

Best Turmeric Yellow Rice with Chicken (Instant Pot)

Why this recipe works

• Quick and easy: Most ingredients are pantry staples, and the dish cooks under ten minutes in the Instant Pot (plus prep).
• Turmeric for color and flavor: Turmeric gives the rice a warm yellow hue and a subtle earthy note.
• Great leftovers: Make a big batch—this stores well in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Equipment

1 Instant Pot Duo Crisp Plus (8‑quart) or similar electric pressure cooker

Ingredients

• 1/4 lb chicken thigh (skinless, or skin-on and bone-in) — chopped into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 tbsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter (or substitute cooking oil)
• 2 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pandan leaf (optional)
• 3 dried bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 2 cups Basmati rice (or substitute Jasmine or long-grain rice)
• Cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Optional rice rinse: You may rinse the rice if you prefer. If you rinse, reduce the liquid by about 1/8 cup to compensate.
2. Saute and brown the chicken: Place the inner pot in the Instant Pot and select the Sauté setting. After about three minutes, add the butter. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder and turmeric, then add the rice and stir to combine.
3. Add liquids and aromatics: Pour in the coconut milk and water, then lay the bay leaves and pandan leaf on top. Give everything a gentle stir to distribute the spices without breaking up the chicken too much.
4. Pressure cook: Cancel the Sauté function and close the lid. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (High) for 7 minutes. When the cooking cycle finishes, use a quick release.
5. Finish and serve: Taste and add salt if needed. Remove bay leaves and pandan before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

For more rice recipes

• Rice Cooker Black Beans and Brown Rice
• Leftover Ham Fried Rice with Mixed Veggies
• One-Pot Chicken Thigh and Rice Casserole
• Bibingkang Malagkit
• Arroz Valenciana
• Suman Recipe
• Tomato Rice (Instant Pot)