Instant Pot Portuguese Chicken and Rice 焗葡國雞飯
Ingredients
- 3 chicken quarters
See Notes - divided into drumsticks and thighs, deboned and cut into ~ 1 inch thick pieces
- 1 medium carrot or 2 small carrots
, cut into chunks
- 2 small potatoes
, quartered
- 1 small onion
, sliced
- 1 small shallot
, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves
, minced
- 1 green bell pepper
230g
- 2 small bay leaves
- 3/4 cup high quality coconut milk
188ml
- 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- A dash ground white pepper
- 1 cup minus 1 ½ tablespoon water
230ml
- 1 cup + 1 ½ tablespoon jasmine rice
250g
- 1 extra large egg
, beaten
- 250 grams pressure cooked jasmine rice
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- Salt to taste
- Grated cheese)
(we used a mixture of cheddar cheese + mozzarella cheese + parmesan cheese
Directions
- 1
Marinate Chicken Thighs: Marinate chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, a dash of ground white pepper, 1 tbsp regular soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine for 20 minutes.
- 2
Prepare Pressure Cooker: Heat up pressure cooker (Instant Pot: press Sauté button and click adjust button to go to Sauté More function). Make sure the pot is as hot as it can be when you place the onions in (Instant Pot: wait until indicator says HOT).
- 3
Sauté Onion, Shallot, and Garlic: Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil into the pressure cooker. Add sliced onion & shallot, sauté until brown & fragrant. Add minced garlic, sauté until fragrant. Season layering with kosher salt & ground black pepper if desired.
- 4
Sauté Chicken Thighs: Pour in the chicken, sauté until slightly browned (let the chicken caramelize on one side first before stirring, you don’t have to stir continuously). Add in 1 ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder & 1 teaspoon cumin powder. Sauté & mix well to let the spices release their aroma. Add quartered potatoes, carrots, & 2 small bay leaves. Mix well.
- 5
Deglaze: Pour in 200 ml of coconut milk & 1 tablespoon of regular soy sauce, completely deglaze the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.
- 6
Pressure Cook Portuguese Chicken and Rice: Place a steamer rack into the pressure cooker and carefully place a bowl with (250g OR 1 cup + 1 ½ tablespoon) of Jasmine rice onto the rack. Pour (230 ml OR 1 cup minus 1 ½ tablespoon) of water into the bowl of rice. Make sure all the rice are soaked with water. Immediately close lid and cook at High Pressure for 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and Full Natural Release. Manually release the remaining pressure by carefully turning the venting knob to the venting position. Open lid carefully.
- 7
Optional Flavor Enhancing Step - Preheat Oven: While the Portuguese chicken and rice is cooking in the pressure cooker, preheat oven to 425°F.
- 8
Thicken Coconut Sauce: Fluff rice and set aside to allow it to cool down. If you are making the optional fried rice, preheat a wok or skillet on high heat with 2 tablespoons of peanut oil. Turn heat to medium (Instant Pot: Press sauté button). Add green pepper, cook for one minute, taste the seasoning. Add more regular soy sauce, coconut milk, or salt if desired. Mix the cornstarch with water and mix it into the coconut sauce one third at a time until desired thickness. Turn off the heat.
- 9
Optional Flavor Enhancing Steps - Fried Rice: When the oil starts to smoke, add in the fluffed rice and press them against the wok with a wok chuan (wok spatula) to separate the rice from each other. Repeat for roughly 20 - 30 seconds. Add 1 beaten extra-large egg on top of the rice and quickly stir-fry the rice to allow the beaten egg to coat the rice evenly. Stir-fry for another minute until fragrant, then season with sea salt. Mix well and turn off the heat.
- 10
Optional Oven Step: Fill an oven-safe container half-way full with fried rice. Fill up the container with Portuguese chicken and vegetables. Add grated cheese (as much as you like!) over the top and place into oven for 5 – 10 minutes.
- 11
Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately (piping hot!)
Instant Pot Portuguese Chicken and Rice 焗葡國雞飯
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About this Recipe
Craving a taste of comforting, flavorful Portuguese-inspired cuisine without hours in the kitchen? This Instant Pot Portuguese Chicken and Rice (Galinha à portuguesa 焗葡國雞飯) delivers tender chicken in a rich, aromatic coconut turmeric sauce, all topped with gooey melted cheese.
The magic of the Instant Pot ensures the chicken remains incredibly moist while infusing it with layers of flavor from turmeric, cumin, and fragrant bay leaves. This method perfectly marries the tender chicken with a vibrant, flavorful sauce. Paired with perfectly seasoned fried jasmine rice, this dish offers a unique textural contrast and a depth of flavor that's both comforting and exotic, truly setting it apart. The creamy, melted cheese topping adds an irresistible finish.
Prepare for a symphony of flavors and textures in every mouthful. You'll savor succulent chicken pieces, deboned and cut to a perfect size, bathed in a vibrant, golden sauce. This sauce is both savory and subtly sweet from the high quality coconut milk, with a gentle warmth from the turmeric and earthy cumin. The aromatic sauce is balanced beautifully by the fluffy, perfectly seasoned fried jasmine rice, which forms a delightful base. Finally, the melty combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese creates a rich, gooey top layer that unifies every element. It’s a truly satisfying meal that feels special, yet remains accessible for any home cook looking for a deeply flavorful dish.
- For a milder flavor profile, you can slightly reduce the amounts of turmeric and cumin powder.
- If shallots aren't available, an additional small amount of onion can be used.
- While chicken quarters are specified, using boneless, skinless chicken thighs can potentially speed up the chicken preparation.
- Don't have all three cheeses? Use your favorite good-melting cheese for the top.
This Instant Pot Portuguese Chicken and Rice is ideal for a comforting weeknight family dinner or for entertaining guests with a uniquely flavorful, impressive meal. Serve it as a complete, hearty dish, allowing the rich, aromatic sauce and creamy cheese to mingle perfectly with the fragrant rice.