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Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice with Greek Salad & Tzatziki Recipe

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This Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice recipe combines tender, marinated chicken cubes cooked together with aromatic long-grain rice, creating a flavorful one-pot meal. Served with a fresh Greek salad and a cooling homemade tzatziki sauce, this dish is perfect for a family dinner or entertaining guests, delivering authentic Mediterranean flavors quickly and easily.

Ingredients

Chicken Souvlaki Marinade

  • 2 chicken breasts skinless, diced into cubes (about 1 lb. of meat)
  • 5 garlic cloves peeled and minced or grated
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika or mild
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • A pinch of pepper

Rice

  • 1.3 cups long-grain rice rinsed 4-5 times with cold water
  • 1.5 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Greek Salad With Herbs

  • 2 tomatoes sliced into wedges
  • ½ bell pepper sliced
  • 1 medium cucumber sliced
  • ½ red onion sliced thinly
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint
  • 1.5 tablespoons red vinegar
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • A generous pinch of salt and pepper
  • ⅓ cup Kalamata olives
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Tzatziki Sauce

  • ½ cup Greek yoghurt or plain unsweetened
  • ½ medium cucumber grated
  • 2 small cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • A pinch of pepper
  • A little olive oil drizzle optional

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Place the diced chicken in a bowl and add the marinade ingredients including garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper. Combine well and set aside for 5-10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
  2. Prep the Rice and Stock: Rinse the rice under cold water 4-5 times until the water runs clear and set aside. Prepare the vegetable or chicken stock and grate the lemon zest; these will add depth to the rice as it cooks.
  3. Assemble in the Instant Pot: Turn on the Instant Pot and add the rinsed rice, vegetable stock, and lemon zest. Stir to combine. Place the marinated chicken cubes evenly on top of the rice and pour any leftover marinade juices over to maximize flavor dispersion.
  4. Cook Under Pressure: Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Select the Manual/Pressure Cook setting and set the timer for 5 minutes at high pressure. The Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins. Note that some cooking happens during pressure buildup.
  5. Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken and rice are cooking, grate the cucumber for the tzatziki and squeeze out excess liquid. In a bowl, combine the cucumber with Greek yogurt, minced garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and optionally a drizzle of olive oil. Mix well and set aside to chill flavors.
  6. Make the Greek Salad: Slice tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, and red onion. In a large bowl, add these vegetables along with chopped parsley and mint. Dress with red vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper, toss everything together, and finish off with Kalamata olives and a sprinkle of dried oregano. Set aside.
  7. Release Pressure and Finish: When the Instant Pot timer finishes, allow 5 minutes for natural pressure release. Then carefully turn the valve to venting to release any remaining pressure. Open the lid, and check that the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Drizzle a bit of olive oil and extra lemon juice over the chicken and rice for a fresh bouquet.
  8. Serve: Plate the chicken and rice alongside or under the Greek salad. Add a generous spoonful or two of tzatziki sauce on top or on the side. Enjoy your flavorful, wholesome, easy-to-make Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki meal!

Notes

  • Ensure rice is rinsed well to prevent stickiness and achieve fluffy texture.
  • Marinating the chicken for at least 5 minutes helps infuse more flavor, but you can marinate for longer if time allows.
  • If preferred, use either chicken or vegetable stock depending on dietary preferences.
  • Adjust the level of garlic and lemon juice in tzatziki according to taste.
  • Allow natural pressure release in the Instant Pot to avoid sputtering of liquid and ensure even cooking.
  • This recipe serves 4 adults as a complete meal.
  • Leftovers can be stored up to 3 days refrigerated.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/instant-pot-chicken-souvlaki-rice-with-greek-salad-and-tzatziki-recipe/