Summertime is such a great season… it is full of sun, fun, and more activities than we can count. The days are longer, but somehow it feels like we have less time in each day. The first thing that suffers in our house when we run out of time is dinner planning. When we’ve got activities, parties, and naps- it’s hard to prepare and cook dinner. And with the stove and oven heating up the already hot house? No thanks! I rely on the Instant Pot so much in the summertime just because of how easy it is. So here is a fantastic new recipe for you to try- Instant Pot cilantro lime chicken!
This chicken is sweet and savory, with a bit of a kick. It’s got a lot of great flavors mixed together, and if you make coconut lime quinoa with it, then it really takes it up a notch! (The quinoa is not technically paleo, so if you are avoiding grains, skip it).
This paleo cilantro lime chicken is perfect for mixing up ahead of time (you can even freeze it!), and then dumping in the Instant Pot to let it cook. If you put it in at lunch time, then it’s ready for dinner and your family has a great, healthy meal ready for them.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken
Paleo Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs cubed chicken breast
- 1 bag frozen sliced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cups frozen cauliflower rice
Instructions
- Sauté chicken breast in the Instant Pot with avocado oil, garlic, onion, cilantro, and half of taco seasoning packet.
- When chicken is lightly cooked, add the diced tomatoes, lime juice, frozen peppers, and the remainder of the taco seasoning.
- Put the lid on the Instant Pot and seal; press "Poultry" and set the time for 10 minutes.
- When it's done cooking, release the pressure and remove the lid.
- Add in the cauliflower rice, stir it in, and put the lid back on.
- Let the mixture sit with the lid on for about 10 minutes, stirring once at 5 minutes.
- The cauliflower rice will be cooked through by then, and the meal is ready to serve and eat!
Notes
- Sauté chicken breast with avocado oil, garlic, onion, cilantro, and half of taco seasoning packet.
- When chicken is lightly cooked, add the diced tomatoes, lime juice, frozen peppers, and the remainder of the taco seasoning.
- Continue letting the chicken mixture cook, stirring every few minutes.
- Once chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove it from the heat.
- Add in the cauliflower rice, stir it in, and put the lid back on.
- Let the mixture sit with the lid on for about 10 minutes, stirring once at 5 minutes.
- The cauliflower rice will be cooked through by then, and the meal is ready to serve and eat!
- Place everything except the cauliflower rice in the crockpot, stir thoroughly.
- Cook on 'high' for 4 hours.
- Once it's done, add in the cauliflower rice, stir it in, and put the lid back on. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition
This paleo cilantro chicken was a big hit with my husband. The little ones did like it, but I think they would eat more if I cut back on the cilantro a little bit. Even so, can’t beat this recipe. 5 minute prep time, and then dinner is cooking for you!
What is your favorite springtime Instant Pot meal?
Update Notes:
This post was originally written in May 2017. It was updated with new photos and directions in January 2020.
I made this for my family tonight and it was easy and delicious. Everyone loved it. I tried the coconut lime quinoa as well and boy oh boy was that yummy. I am going to stock up on coconut milk and use that from now on when cooking rice and quinoa. Great idea! With having extra mouths to feed in our house this summer it was nice to find an affordable way to feed everyone and have leftovers as well.
I’m so glad you liked it, Laura! Isn’t cooking the quinoa in coconut milk something that takes it to another level? 🙂