Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa “Rice”

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa “Rice” is packed with protein and is a healthier alternative to Chicken Fried Rice. Perfect for Weight Watchers and lower calorie diets.

We do love our Fried Rice in this house.

Especially Barbecue Pork Fried Rice.

You can call us “Fried Rice Snobs.” True New York Style Fried Rice, does not contain carrots, corn, beans and peas.

However, and in light of trying to reduce our carbohydrate and upping our protein and vegetables, I am including some non-authentic vegetables in this Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa.

While not a true “Dump and Push” recipe, this recipe has very little steps, so I call this a “Dump-ish” and Push recipe.

Plus using your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker makes this recipe, almost hands off.

 

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa cooks up super fast in an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker, so gather up the ingredients and start cooking.

The Instant Pot Mini is always great for smaller recipes like this and perfect for side dishes.

Ingredients of Chicken Fried Quinoa Rice

• Chicken
• Quinoa
• Various Vegetables – use your favorites
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Soy Sauce
• Pure Sesame Oil
• Sweet/Black Soy Sauce
• Onions,  Fresh Garlic, Fresh Ginger
• Bean Sprouts and Scallions (Green Onions)
• Sambal Oelek Ground Chili Paste (totally optional)
• Water Chestnuts (optional, for crunch)

If you prefer to use fresh diced vegetables, rather than Frozen Vegetables, add 1/4 cup of additional liquid, such as Fresh Chicken Broth or use a Chicken Base/Water mix.

 

Quinoa needs to be rinsed really well, to remove the bitter taste that is attached to the outside hull.

How to Wash Quinoa

• Put the Quinoa in a Small Bowl and fill it up with Water. Grab a handful and rub the grains against each other in your hands.
• Pour it though a Fine stainless steel mesh strainer, and then shake out the excess.

Pro Tip: This recipe goes super fast, so it is best to have all ingredients ready to go, before you even turn on your pressure cooker.

What is Quinoa?

• Quinoa is a seed. It is a grain, but it is a grain that is higher in protein.
• Quinoa is rich in lysine, which is great for the body as it promotes healthy tissue growth.
• It is nice source of iron, potassium and fiber, which most of us can use!
• It comes from a flowering plant, therefore quinoa is a flowering plant.

 

To make sure that your Pot becomes non-stick, heat up the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker fully prior to adding your fat. In this case, Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

This will make a Stainless Steel pot, non-stick. You will still need to deglaze your pot after Sautéing and remove the stuck on bits, but with this method, those stuck on bits, should lift right off.

Once the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker is very hot, add in the Oil and swirl to coat.

 

Drop in the Onions for a short Saute.

That Red Spatula works with temperatures up to 600 degrees! If you are in the market for a great Spatula Set, I suggest the di Oro Living Silicone Spatulals Set.

 

The Onions will begin to release Water and start to Caramelize.

 

Don’t be concerned about the cooking pot turning a bit brown. I promise that nothing will stick.

These aromatics and a bit of liquid will quickly help to remove anything stuck.

 

Almost instantly, anything loose on the bottom, will release.

Right about now, your’re going to say, ummmmm, this smells so good! Talk about smelling so good, try my Pressure Cooker Cuban Black Bean Quinoa Bowls. So much flavor and aromatics.

If you want a bit of heat or more flavor, add a bit more Sambal Oelek Ground Chili Paste.

 

Dump in the Quinoa and give it a quick mix. Toasting the Quinoa, adds another layer of flavor.

If you are in a hurry, you can totally skip the toasting add the rest of the ingredients into your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.

White Meat or Dark Meat will work equally as well. Since the Chicken is cut into small strips, the short cook time will keep the Chicken nice and juicy.

If you want to use Fresh Vegetables, you will need to add a bit more liquid.

 

Once the pressure is released, open the Lid.

Mixing in the Sesame Oil with the Scrambled Eggs will help keep the Eggs from clumping and will allow them to firm up, without sticking to the cooking pot.

 

This is just a time saver, so after you move aside the Quinoa and scramble up the Eggs on the bottom of the pot, there won’t be any need for scraping up what sticks.

You really don’t want to stir fry any Sesame Oil , as it burns easily and changes the taste of the Oil to an almost rancid taste.

While I have your attention, Toasted Sesame Oil should never be used to Saute or added during cooking. Toasted Sesame Oil is used for a quick drizzle, right before serving your food.

Plus, the Quinoa has to be fluffed anyway, so you are killing two birds with one stone. What a horrible expression. Birds are beautiful and serve just great purposes to planet Earth.

 

Mix in the Green part of the Scallions and you are good to go. They will slightly wilt and also add a bit of crunch.

This recipe is pretty healthy and quite hearty. It can be eaten as a full and complete meal or as a side dish.

If eating as a complete meal, I might double the amount of chicken

Of course, pork, beef, tofu, shrimp can be used in addition or in place of. If using Shrimp, add the raw shrimp in after pressure is released and before adding the Eggs.

 

You may enjoy my Pressure Cooker Chinese Hot and Sour Soup to start. My Air Fryer Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings and my Pressure Cooker Take-Out Spicy Orange Beef both pair great with this recipe and would make a wonderful meal!

Let me know if this Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa “Rice” satisfies your craving for the regular Chinese Pressure Cooker Fried Rice.

My goal is to create more recipes and also convert many of my already blogged recipes to a healthy and very tasty alternative.

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

• Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
• J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
• Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
• Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
• Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
• Rösle Stainless Steel Flat Whisk– a MUST have, probably my most used utensil
• di Oro Living Silicone Spatulals Set
• Rachael Ray Stoneware EVOO Oil Dispensing Bottle
• Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
• Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder
• 3 ounce Porcelain Dipping/Condiment Bowls
• My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
• Small 1.5 Quart “Pot in Pot” Mixing Bowl
• Fine stainless steel mesh strainer

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Here is the handy printable recipe:

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