Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks and Rice (Arroz Con Pollo) is a quick and easy 45-minute pressure cooker recipe with Cuban seasonings and Spanish rice. This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or advanced meal prep.
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Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks and Rice (Arroz Con Pollo) is a quick and easy 45-minute pressure cooker recipe with Cuban seasonings and Spanish rice. This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or advanced meal prep.
I couldn't wait to make my own back home. Of course, I had to use my Instant Pot! There really is no other way to get tender, juicy, fall off the bone chicken, especially chicken drumsticks! Nothing else really compares.
I also never use a rice cooker. I go to the Instant Pot!
I love that with this recipe you can throw things in the pot and simply walk away to perform other tasks.
This dish is also perfect for meal prep. Load up this dish on a Sunday night and lunch or dinner is served for the week. And it will only take you about 45 minutes!
I picked up this Cuban seasoning at my local grocery store. McCormick's is usually easy to find at most grocery stores.
If you prefer to make your own seasoning, I love a mix of the following: 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 2 teaspoons oregano.
Table of Contents
Cook Time
I love brown rice. A lot of my other posts rave about brown rice and the associated nutritional benefits. Brown rice takes a long time to cook…..even using the Instant Pot! Brown rice prepared in the Instant Pot takes 25-30 minutes. My Instant Pot experiments are focused on time-saving.
My goal is to prep meals with the Instant Pot in less than 45 minutes, ideally, less than 30 minutes. Long-grain enriched rice can be prepared in the Instant Pot in less than 10 minutes. ULTIMATE WIN!
Enriched white long grain rice is enriched to replenish nutrients that are removed during the milling process. Enriched white rice has been mixed with vitamins and nutrients to boost nutritional value.
When rice is processed into white rice, the majority of its nutritional value is lost. The fiber and bran are removed.
This is one of the main reasons why I flock to brown rice. Brown rice is rich in fiber. Even after enriching white rice with the nutrients mentioned, it is not as nutritious as brown rice.
Brown rice still beats white rice in my opinion. However, in this instance, enriched white long grain rice makes a great alternative.
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This chicken is so tender the meat is falling off the bone....just the way I like it!
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Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks with Spanish Rice (Arroz Con Pollo)
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 drumsticks
- 1 ½ cups enriched long grain white rice rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¾ cup water
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves minced
- Cuban Seasoning to taste (see cooking note below)
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup red peppers chopped
- ½ cup green peppers chopped
- 1 teaspoon parsley chopped
Instructions
- Rinse the rice until the water from the rice runs clear. I like to use a fine mesh strainer.
- Season the drumsticks with the Cuban seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Turn the Instant Pot on to the saute function. Allow it to register as hot. Add the olive oil to the pot. Using tongs add the drumsticks to the pot. Allow the chicken to glaze for a couple of minutes on each side.
- Add the chicken broth to the pot and stir. Seal the pot and cook on Manual > Pressure Cooking > 22 minutes.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, allow steam to release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing the steam.
- Open the pot and remove the chicken and drain the broth in a cup. Place it aside.
- Place the Instant Pot on saute. Add the garlic and onions to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add about ½ cup of the drained broth to the pot. Deglaze the pot with a spoon by pushing up the brown bits on the bottom of the pot.
- Add the rice, water, and additional Cuban seasoning, salt and pepper to taste to the pot. Seal the pot and cook for 3 minutes on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, allow the steam to release naturally for 10 minutes and then release.
- Open the pot and add the red and green peppers. Stir and allow the steam from the rice soften the peppers.
- Serve the chicken legs over beds of the rice. Sprinkle with parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
debi at Life Currents says
This looks fabulous! I need to get one of these Instant Pots so that I can make this soon.
Lisa Bryan says
This sounds delicious! A new recipe to try out in my Instant Pot!
Veena Azmanov says
This looks and sounds so yum... I need to get one of these instant pots.. to make my life a bit easy. Sounds so handy to have around
Amanda says
Instant pots are such great kitchen tools! I'll have to try this. My toddler asks for it all the time!
Walt Schultz says
This looks SO good. Now I'm going to have to get an Instant Pot.
Linda @ signorina spaghetti says
Wow I never had an Instant Pot, but now I need to have one because of your recipe, that looks too yummy!wanna make it too!
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
I'm loving all these Insta Pot recipes. I recently got an Optimum Pressure Cooker Pro from Froothie and it works in the same way. These drum sticks would go down so well!!!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm sure you love it as much as I love mine!
Anya says
I love the Instant Pot - I make chicken wings of different flavors in it all the time. Have to try drumsticks next time.
Fiona Saluk says
I can relate to the love affair with brown rice but not so much with the amount of time it takes to cook it! enriched long grain white rice sounds like a good alternative, thanks for the tip! your food always makes me so hungry!
Bintu says
I think BBQ seasoning makes everything yum. Love this dish, my husband loves chicken and it's so healthy too
Rebecca Bryant says
YUM!! This looks so good. I have seen these instant pots everywhere but never thought to get one. This recipe looks so good I may have to get one.
Shauna says
This recipe looks great. I will have to try it soon. Love rice and chicken. I am a dark meat fan too, so drumsticks are perfect.
Alicia says
This looks like a delicious recipe! If there's something I love, it's a good chicken recipe to try.
reesa says
OH! This looks DELICIOUS! I love how the meat is falling off of the bone!
Ashley says
Mmm this recipe looks delicious. You're convincing me I need to get an instant pot!
Milena says
I have yet to make anything exciting in the Instant Pot! I see you have a few recipes that I will have to try! This one looks good!
Star Traci says
This looks like a terrific recipe. I grew up loving chicken and rice and this seems a very flavorful alternative to what I grew up with. I think I shall try this out.
🙂
Traci
Liz Mays says
Oh this is the coolest! I'd love to try making chicken and rice this way. The flavors must be so good!
Ashley S says
Yum! I've heard so many great things about the Instant Pot. This sounds and looks so delicious!
Dawn Nieves says
This looks amazing! I don't own an instant pot yet but after seeing this I think I need to!
Lois Alter Mark says
Wow, that looks delicious. I think I'm the only person in the world without an Instant Pot - and I may have to change that fast!
Renz says
Def saving this for later. I love using my instant pot. This looks delicious. I can see adding in some peas to this too. Thanks for sharing.
Louise Smith says
I love anything you can make in an instant pot, and this just looks delicious! Definitely saving the recipe for later on in the week 🙂
Louise x
Laura says
I love this recipe with the instant pot, you can do so many things. I agree with you I prefer the chicken drumstick to the breast. It is too dry. This chicken looks beautiful and I can understand that looking at the photos you just wanted to eat it again. I want to make it too.
Michelle says
Can I use basmati rice? Or Japanese rice? Thanks 🙂
staysnatched says
Hi Michelle. You can use any rice that you want.
Jasmine says
If you decide to use brown rice. How long do you recommend it to cook once the rice is added. I see 12 minutes for the long grain rice.
staysnatched says
Hi there! 22 minutes for brown rice.
Diane DiPrete says
Can use chicken thighs? How long
staysnatched says
For chicken thighs, 12-14 minutes.
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
That's a good dinner to share! Interested in Cuban seasoning, need to make a batch to have it on hand 🙂
Annemarie says
I haven't tried chicken drumsticks in my Instant Pot yet. I bet they're so delicious with that Cuban seasoning!
danielle wolter says
I just love anything you can make in the instant pot. This sounds delicious with the cuban seasoning!
Bintu says
Chicken drumsticks is always a popular meal in my house, definitely going to have to try them in the Instant Pot. This dish looks delicious.
Shashi at SavorySpin says
I haven't ever had Arroz Con Pollo) - it reminds me of biryani a lot. BTW - your chicken drumsticks cooked up beautifully!
Sana says
Hi there, this looks amazing! I was wondering if I can cook the brown rice and chicken together in the instant pot? Since you cook the chicken for 22 mins anyways? I could just sauté the chicken seperately first and then do the rice then just put em together?
staysnatched says
You can. I've tested it a few times and feel like doing them separately yields better results. Doing it this way ensures the best rice texture in my opinion. But to answer your question, yes!
Ss says
Thanks so much!
staysnatched says
You're welcome!
Detra says
OMG I made this tonight and it was AMAZING! First out of too many to count recipes I’ve followed that came out perfect! Thanks for sharing!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you try more recipes!
Hudson Jack says
I love this idea… chicken legs and thighs are ALWAYS on sale and I’m always looking for recipes that help with the weekly budget! We’re entertaining for a football party this weekend so I’m going to make these… winning… both reasonably priced and full, of yummy flavors! ???? ???? ????
staysnatched says
That sounds awesome! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Judy Small says
This was really good and the instructions were very clear. I didn’t have Cuban seasoning or coriander, so I added fresh cilantro to the rice along with the peppers. It was delicious!
Vanessa says
I found this recipes in my inbox yesterday. I made it today and it was great. My husband and I enjoyed this meal.
Thanks for a great recipe.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Bethany says
Could you make this recipe using frozen drumsticks? Yes
staysnatched says
Yes you can. It will take longer for the pot to come to pressure.
Debbie says
I’m making this now, but have no idea how much of the Cuban seasoning to add to the rice. Since I’ve not made it before, it’s hard to know what “to taste” may be.
staysnatched says
Start with a teaspoon. Cook the food and taste and adjust as necessary. While cooking, a great rule of thumb if you don't know how much seasoning to use, is to start small and adjust with taste as necessary.
Dorothy says
I tried this this evening and we LOVED it! But I did go light on the seasoning because I didn’t know what to expect. How much seasoning do you usually add to the rice?
staysnatched says
I don't measure. I season to taste.
Anonymous says
Can you put more than five chicken legs at a time? I’d like to add more. How do I adjust the cook time?
staysnatched says
You may not need to adjust the cook time at all.
free articles says
These look like my husband would love! I will definitely be making them for him, soon!
staysnatched says
Let me know what you think!
Mihaela says
It looks delicious and I am sure my family will love it. Can I use both chicken drumsticks and bone-in breast as half of my family eats only chicken breast? Any change in the cooking time ? Tya.
staysnatched says
Chicken breasts cook in half the time. I wouldn't put them together. If you do, you will have to stop the pot and add additional chicken and restart.
Sunda says
Do u have a creamy recipe?
staysnatched says
Yes. https://www.staysnatched.com/instant-pot-low-carb-creamy-garlic-tuscan-chicken-thighs/
Alexis says
How would I double this recipe ?
staysnatched says
Double all of the ingredients. The cook time is the same.
Maria says
This recipe was so simple and tastey! I made the Cuban spice because I could not find it at my local grocery store... perfect mixture which made the chicken and rice taste amazing! I’ll be making this again for sure.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Ruth N Gavarrete says
Just made this for dinner and it was delicious. I actually ended up putting a little bit of adobo seasoning from Goya on the chicken mix and rice. I also let the chicken mirinate in the spices for about 3 hours. Everything was delicious! I served it was a side of potato salad.
staysnatched says
I love that Goya seasoning!
Roberta craft says
I made this for my husband today for the first time. It smelled so awesome he could not wait to have it for dinner so it became his lunch. You scored big on this recipe as My Husband is from Cuba and this is truly authentic of the Cuban style of cooking to which he was accustomed. This dish brought him back to Cuba so I score mucho brownie points.........THANK YOU!!!!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad to hear that!
Carolyn says
This recipe is absolutely delish! Since I didn’t have chicken broth, I used vegetable broth, and tried the dish with Yellow rice. I buy bell peppers in bulk, chop and freeze some into smaller ziplock bags. I add the frozen peppers when cooking the rice, and it’s so good. Definitely a keeper! Thank you for sharing your talents!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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