Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice Recipe

This Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice is the kind of crave-worthy meal that will have your kitchen filled with Mediterranean aromas and your family racing to the table. Imagine juicy, lemon-oregano chicken nestled on fragrant, fluffy rice — all made effortlessly together in the Instant Pot, complete with a vibrant Greek salad and creamy homemade tzatziki. It’s seriously everything you love about a classic Greek street plate, streamlined for busy weeknights!

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the true joys of Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice is how accessible, wholesome, and fresh the ingredient lineup is — everything works together to create layers of flavor, color, and texture while still being totally weeknight-friendly.

• Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless, and diced — the star here, soaking up all that savory marinade and cooking to perfection alongside the rice.
• Garlic cloves: Loads of fresh garlic give depth and classic souvlaki punch.
• Dried oregano & rosemary: Traditional Greek herbs that infuse the chicken with warmth and aromatics.
• Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and hints of sweetness to the dish.
• Lemon (juice & zest): The secret to brightness — lemon juice goes into the marinade, zest flavors the rice, and both wake up every bite.
• Olive oil: Lush and fruity, it ties together the chicken, rice, salad, and even the tzatziki.
• Long-grain rice: Rinsed until the water runs clear for extra fluffiness and perfect separation.
• Vegetable or chicken stock: This brings even more savory depth to the rice and ensures it’s never bland.
• Fresh salad vegetables (tomato, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper): Juicy, crisp, and essential for that bright Greek salad crunch.
• Fresh herbs (parsley & mint): Bring your salad to life with a burst of green freshness and aroma.
• Kalamata olives: For that signature briny pop!
• Red wine vinegar: Gives the salad its tangy backbone.
• Greek yogurt: Creamy, tangy, and the perfect base for homemade tzatziki.
• Additional seasonings (salt, pepper, dried oregano for salad): Don’t skimp — these bring it all together.

Variations

The beauty of Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice is how flexible it is — you can tailor it for dietary preferences, use what you have in the pantry, or change up the add-ins according to cravings. Here are some of my favorite variations!

• Make it vegetarian: Swap out the chicken for extra-firm tofu or chickpeas, and use vegetable stock for a plant-based meal that’s just as flavorful.
• Switch your grains: Feeling adventurous? Try this with brown rice (just adjust the cooking time) or even quinoa for a twist on the classic.
• Add more veggies: Throw in chopped zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach on top of the rice before cooking for extra color and nutrients.
• Go dairy-free: Use a dairy-free yogurt for the tzatziki and skip the feta in the salad, if you like — you’ll still have plenty of zesty flavor.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Dice your chicken breasts into bite-size cubes and toss them straight into a bowl. Shower them generously with minced garlic, dried oregano, rosemary, paprika, salt, olive oil, a sprinkle of pepper, and a big squeeze of lemon juice. Mix well, making sure every piece is glossy and coated. Leave to marinate for 5–10 minutes — just enough time to prepare your other elements, and plenty for those sunny Greek flavors to soak in.

Step 2: Prep the Rice & Flavor Base

Rinse your long-grain rice under cool water 4–5 times until the water is nearly clear—this is your ticket to light, fluffy grains instead of sticky ones. Set it aside. Prep your chicken (or veggie) stock and finely grate some lemon zest for lovely citrusy lift. These few minutes of prep really make the final dish sing!

Step 3: Layer and Cook

Switch on your Instant Pot. Add the rinsed rice directly to the pot, pour in the stock and lemon zest, and give it all a quick stir. Arrange your marinated chicken cubes in a single layer over the rice, scooping in every last drop of marinade for extra flavor. Pop on the lid, lock it, and set the valve to Sealing. Press “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” and set the time to 5 minutes at HIGH pressure. The pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure, during which the fragrant magic is already underway!

Step 4: Prep the Greek Salad & Tzatziki

While your Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice is cooking, whip up a quick fresh Greek salad: slice tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and onion, then toss with chopped parsley, mint, red wine vinegar, olive oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of dried oregano. Scatter Kalamata olives over the top for briny perfection. For your tzatziki, grate cucumber, squeeze out the juice, then stir into Greek yogurt with lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and a glug of olive oil. Both can be made in minutes and sit nicely until the main event is ready!

Step 5: Quick Release & Serve

When the timer buzzes, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then do a quick release (switching the valve to Venting). Open the lid — the rice should be tender and fluffy, the chicken perfectly cooked. Finish with a generous drizzle of olive oil and extra lemon juice over the top. Spoon the chicken and rice into bowls, mound the bright Greek salad alongside, and add a dollop of homemade tzatziki.

How to Serve Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice

Garnishes

Top your Chicken Souvlaki Rice with a light drizzle of good olive oil, fresh chopped parsley or mint, a sprinkle of extra dried oregano, or even a smattering of crumbled feta. A wedge of lemon on the side not only looks beautiful but lets everyone adjust the level of citrusy brightness to their own taste.

Side Dishes

This dish shines with classic Mediterranean friends: warm pita bread for scooping, extra wedges of lemon, crispy roasted potatoes, or even grilled veggies. If you’re feeding a crowd, consider a platter of dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) to complete the spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun, build-your-own dinner party, set out the rice, chicken, and sides buffet-style so guests can create their own plates or even souvlaki rice bowls. Or serve the dish in wide, shallow plates in the center of the table for that vibrant “family supper” moment — tzatziki and salad piled high on top, ready to dig in!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store the rice and chicken together in an airtight container, and keep the tzatziki and salad separately so everything stays fresh and vibrant.

Freezing

You can freeze the chicken and rice base in portioned containers for easy, flavorful lunches or quick dinners. Just skip freezing the salad and tzatziki—fresh veggies and yogurt don’t freeze well and are best made fresh when serving.

Reheating

To reheat, sprinkle a tablespoon of water over the rice and chicken and warm gently in the microwave or covered on the stove. This keeps the rice fluffy and prevents it from drying out. Serve with fresh salad and a dollop of cold tzatziki for best results!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a dish that’s as bright, fresh, and fuss-free as summer on a plate, Instant Pot Chicken Souvlaki Rice is calling your name! It’s the ultimate one-pot dinner—with zesty Greek chicken, lush rice, and all the tangy sides—guaranteed to bring a little Mediterranean magic to your weeknight table. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own!

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