Simple and easy Instant Pot Chicken Congee is such a comforting dish on a cold day--or really any day at all. A few simple ingredients in your pressure cooker and you have a jook recipe that you can personalize and vary to your heart's content.
Every culture has its own version of soft rice dishes that serve as comfort food. Whether it is an Indian Khichadi, Filipino Arroz Caldo, Vietnamese Chao Ga, Korean dakjuk, Cambodian Babaw, or Chinese Chicken Congee, nothing beats what really amounts to overcooked rice with savories.
What Is Chicken Congee And Why It's So Good
Also known as Jook, congee is a savory porridge with rice that has been well-cooked...Okay let's be honest, it's been overcooked--with lots of water. It serves as a blank canvas upon which you can paint with all the savory flavors of your choice. When I started with this Chicken Congee recipe, I didn't consult any sources.
I was sick, and I decided to put things in an Instant Pot that sounded good, and that would feel comforting, and just ran with it. I then posted in my Facebook Group to ask members what we should call it.
Everyone agreed it was Chicken Congee, but one of my readers Frances (who is a fantastic cook, by the way) said it was very much like a Hong Kong-style Chinese Chicken Congee, so that's what we are going with.
She also suggested we call it Smooth as Jazz Chicken Congee, which I really like, but doesn't quite roll off the tongue as easily.
While it is traditionally eaten as a breakfast food or when you're sick (kind of like chicken soup), I see no reason to wait until I'm sick before I make this Instant Pot Chicken Congee again!
What Does Chicken Congee Taste Like?
Chicken Congee can be very bland if not seasoned well. It has a slightly sweet taste of rice with a hint of chicken in its purest form. For this recipe, I decided to add a little flair with some oils and spices to give it a little more flavor without making it a dish that variates too far from a traditional congee.
Is Chicken Congee Healthy?
This Chicken Congee is very easy to digest, meaning less work for your digestive system and faster absorption of nutrients. It's also packed with protein, which aids in muscular development, increases the likelihood of weight loss and may aid in better sleep.
Is Congee Good For You When You Are Sick?
Absolutely! Congees or Jooks are particularly good for you when you're sick as they are easy to digest. Congee is a good source of calories and since it isn't heavily seasoned it is easy on your stomach.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs- cut these into bite-sized pieces so they cook quickly along with the rice.
- Minced Ginger
- Minced Garlic- Everything tastes better with a little (or a lot) of garlic.
- Sesame Oil- Gives an earthy and nutty flavor that really elevates this chicken congee.
- Soy Sauce- For a touch of umami deliciousness.
- Jasmine Rice- You can use any short-grain rice you prefer.
- Kosher Salt- Helps to elevate the other savory flavors in the dish.
- Ground Black Pepper
How To Make Chicken Jook
My version involves throwing everything into your Instant Pot or pressure cooker, pressing the Porridge button, and walking away. Dump and cook, just the way I like it.
- Add Ingredients. Place all ingredients in the inner liner of your pressure cooker or Instant Pot.
- Cook. Press the Porridge button. If you do not have a Porridge button on your pot, set the pressure cooker to cook for 20 minutes at high pressure.
- NPR. Let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes after it is done cooking. Then release all remaining pressure.
- Mix and Serve. Mix well, add a little more sesame oil for fragrance if you desire, and serve.
Tips And Tricks
- Skip the soak. There is no need to soak the rice for this jook recipe as we are cooking this in the Instant Pot. Cooking under pressure takes away the necessity of soaking the rice. Don't mistake not soaking for not rinsing your rice. Always rinse rice before cooking it.
- Thin it out. Some people prefer their congee to be looser. If you like your Chicken Congee with a slightly less thick consistency, just add 1-2 cups of water to the recipe.
What Do You Eat With It?
Congee is such a blank canvas, there are a plethora of sides that pair well with it. Here are some of the things most commonly eaten with Chicken Congee:
- Fried Bean Sticks
- Salted Duck Eggs
- Smashed Cucumber Salad
How Long Does Jook Last?
One of the reasons congee is so great for eating when you're sick is because it stores well and can be reheated for days while you're recovering from whatever ails you. For the best bite, enjoy this Chicken Congee recipe within 5 days of preparing it.
More Great Rice Recipes
- Basmati Rice Pilau - This Instant Pot recipe is certainly one of my favorite basmati rice recipes
- Jamaican Peas and Rice - Authentic Jamaican Peas and Rice at home in a flash.
- Chicken Biryani - Make an authentic biryani right in your pressure cooker.
- Caldo de Pollo - A warming soup that’s bursting with Mexican flavors!
- Instant Pot Dolma Recipe - A fantastic way to make dolma without having to wrap it.
- Instant Pot Sabzi Polo - Make a perfect Persian Herbed Rice in your pressure cooker.
- Perfect Pressure Cooker Rice - Learn how to make white rice, jasmine rice, black rice, brown rice, and arborio rice in your Instant Pot.
- 6+ Best Healthy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipes - A fantastic collection of healthy chicken and rice recipes.
- 12+ Best Pressure Cooker Rice One Pot Meals - Here's a whole slew of recipes that use basmati rice for you to enjoy!
Pin It!
This Chicken Congee recipe is the perfect dish dinner for those nights when you just need a simple and delicious dump and cook recipe. Make sure to share this recipe with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook so they can enjoy it as well!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound (453.59 g) Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Minced Ginger
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Minced Garlic
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Sesame Oil
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Soy Sauce
- 1 cup (185 g) Jasmine Rice, (or other short grain rice
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Kosher Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Ground Black Pepper, (optional)
- 5 cups (1.25 kg) Water
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the inner liner of your pressure cooker or Instant Pot.
- Press the Porridge button. If you do not have a Porridge button on your pot, set the pressure cooker to cook for 20 minutes at high pressure.
- Let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes after it is done cooking. Then release all remaining pressure.
- Mix well, add a little more sesame oil for fragrance if you desire, and serve.
Tips And Tricks For Making Chicken Congee
- There is no need to soak the rice for this jook recipe as we are cooking this in the Instant Pot. Cooking under pressure takes away the necessity of soaking the rice.
- Some people prefer their congee to be looser. If you like your Chicken Congee looser, just add 1-2 cups of water to the recipe.
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Nutrition
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Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.
Mia
Just want to thank you again for this recipe. I've made it twice in two weeks, once for a sick friend, and once for myself when I was recovering from a cold.It's so simple and yet the results are so delicious and comforting! My friend had never had congee before and seemed skeptical, but could not stop raving about it. I always have frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs and frozen chicken breast tenderloins in my freezer so i threw a few in the pot without thawing along with everything else and it worked out beautifully.
Shari
I thought I posted this earlier so I apologize if I’m repeating myself…Thank you for this recipe. I grew up eating congee (jook to my Cantonese family) and cooked it for oh, about 50 years. About 3 years ago my stroke erased a number of memories including congee and how to make it. This was just what I needed! Waaay easier and the Instant pot is so genius! So thank you Urvashi, for this delicious recipe, (family loved it!), making it much easier to put together (throw everything in the instant pot, no particular order necessary), 20 minutes (not all day!), comfort food ready in practically a flash, genius!
JC
Great recipe. I took a chance and made it for the first time for friends who came over unexpectedly, and it worked out great. The only change I made was to add chard and used 3 cups chicken broth and 3 cups water. Also served with scallions and cilantro on the side. Yum!
Rachael
If I wanted to change to use brown rice instead of white rice, would I need to change the water amount and cook time? Or just the cook time?
URVASHI PITRE
Hi there, you'd need to likely change both. Brown rice takes 22 minutes to cook al dente. For a congee, the time would be much higher. Not having tested it that way, I'm not sure I can help with further details.
Sarah
Would you increase cooking time if using bone in thighs? I am estimating that one would need 1.5 lbs of thighs to account for the weight of the bones, does that sound right to you? Can't wait to make this!
URVASHI PITRE
I don’t think so. It cooks long enough in this recipe as it is
Nia
You are amazing. I can’t wait to make this congee for my family. Thankyou and keep me coming !
Sam
I have made Congee twice using this recipe. I added Bok choy and some carrots as well. It turned out great. I have been using my Instant Pot almost every other day. So far, the only recipe that didn't work well was the Indian rice pudding. I think I added less water, the whole thing dried up and hardened. Thank you for all your recipes and tips.
URVASHI PITRE
Which one didn’t work? The one from the cookbook? With coconuts? That recipe needs 1.25 cups of water
Adrianne
i just made this and used jasmine brown rice. followed recipe and it was watery.
URVASHI PITRE
Brown rice takes a lot longer to cook. I don’t think you can swap one for the other without making changes in Cook times