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Home » Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Greek Chicken Skewers with Lemon Dill Pilaf {Pot in Pot}

Published: Dec 2, 2021 · Modified: Jan 4, 2023 by Steph · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · About 5 minutes to read this article.

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Greek Chicken Skewers with Lemon Dill Pilaf
Instant pot greek chicken skewers with lemon dill pilaf

 Instant Pot Greek Chicken Skewers with Lemon Dill Pilaf is a magical one pot wonder where the chicken and rice are prepared at the same time, yet separate!

Welcome to Pot in Pot cooking!

Greek Chicken Skewers plated on 2 plates with rice pilaf

One pot meals go to an epic next level with the use of your Instant Pot and a few additional accessories (long leg trivet and bowl)!

With this method, we have the Greek chicken skewers cook in the bottom of the liner, while the rice pilaf cooks in the top bowl - both cooking at the same time, yet separate!

Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!

What you need to make this one pot Chicken Skewer and Rice combo:

  • Chicken - You can use boneless, skinless breast or thigh. I find using thigh lends itself much better for reheat if you make enough for leftovers.
  • Chicken Broth - Mine is always in the freezer frozen in 1 and 2 cup portions (using Souper Cube trays). In a pinch you can use water vs broth but this will affect the flavor of the chicken.
  • Garlic
  • Greek Seasoning - you can make your own or just use the store bought Greek Seasoning Mix
  • White Basmati Rice - you cannot sub brown rice in this recipe. Brown rice has too long of a cook time for this one.
  • Dill - fresh is best, but go ahead and use dried dill in a pinch! You need much less though, reduce to 2 teaspoons if using dry.
  • Lemon juice - do not skip this! It makes or breaks this recipe. Feel free to go next level and add the zest into the rice too - perfection!
  • Shredded carrot - this is what is making your rice a pilaf, but feel free to omit.

How to assemble my Instant Pot for Pot in Pot Cooking

  1. Add your broth, lemon juice and seasoning to the liner.
  2. Place the chicken skewers in the broth. It is ok if they stack. Don't forget to season them.
  3. Add your long leg trivet so that the bowl of rice can sit above the skewers.
  4. Add your rice, water, carrot, dill and lemon juice to your oven save bowl.
  5. Place the bowl on top of the trivet. Make sure the rice is covered.
  6. Pressure cook for 5 minutes, and then quick release pressure.
  7. Fluff rice and plate with chicken skewers!
Do I need extra accessories to make this?

Yes, the trivet that came with your Instant Pot is not a long leg trivet. You also need a bowl that is about 2 inches high and not more than 6 inches wide.

Do I have to put the chicken on skewers?

Not at all, you can easily just just chicken chunks without the skewer.

Why did the chicken come out dry?

This happens when your chicken chunks are too small and over cooked. You want large chicken pieces, 4-5 pieces per breast.

Can I make this as a meal prep?

Yes, of course! If you plan to do this recipe as a meal prep lunch and reheat it, go with chicken thighs, they reheat far better than chicken breast.

Can I freeze this?

You can yes, but since this dish isn't saucy, it will be much drier on reheat and I don't recommend freezing this one.

What to serve with Greek Chicken Skewers?

  • Add a dollop of Tzatziki
  • Squeeze additional lemon juice on after cooking.
  • Add crumbled Feta
  • Serve with a Greek salad

Instant Pot Greek Chicken Skewers with Lemon Dill Pilaf {Pot in Pot}

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 -3
Calories: 261kcal
Author: Confessions of a Meal Plan Addict
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 pounds chicken breasts cubed and on skewers make sure your skewers fit in the pot!
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 Tablespoon Oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Lemon juice from one lemon
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1 cup uncooked rinsed basmati rice
  • 1 cup water
  • Lemon zest from one lemon
  • ¼ cup carrot grated.
  • 1 Tablespoon dill fresh is best but dried will work in a pinch.

Instructions

  • In your rice bowl, add the rice, carrots, dill, lemon zest, and water and set aside.
  • In the liner of the pot, add the chicken, broth, garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and lemon juice.
  • Place your long leg trivet inside, and place your rice bowl onto the trivet. No need to cover the rice.
  • Close the lid and set to sealing.
  • Set on manual for 5 minutes.
  • Quick release the pressure.

Notes

To keep your chicken from drying out, either make the pieces large (in inch or so), or if doing small bites, decrease the time by a minute or two. 
This recipe can also be made with boneless skinless chicken thighs. I highly recommend using thighs if you plan to freeze this AFTER it is cooked. 

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 3g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g

So, there you have it, a full Greek dinner, almost instantly, in one pot!

Like this pot in pot action? Check out my Pot in Pot 10 minute pressure cooker time lasagna

More Instant Pot Recipes

  • How to Make and Freeze the BEST Instant Pot Bone Broth
  • Instant Pot Meal Prep Shredded Chicken {+ all the ways to use it all week}
  • Instant Pot Taco Spaghetti
  • Instant Pot Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Molly says

    July 18, 2017 at 1:43 pm

    Could I do this with frozen raw chicken skewers would that change cook time?

    Reply
    • Steph says

      July 20, 2017 at 8:05 pm

      When you cook from frozen you typically don't adjust time - the pot just takes a lot longer to come to pressure. This would probably mess with the rice and it would be overcooked - but I have never tried from frozen myself.

      Reply
  2. Jenn says

    August 18, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    This sounds fantastic! I noticed that this recipe only serves 2 and I need to serve 6. Can that much food fit in the 8qt or do I need to cook the rice separately in this case?

    Reply
  3. Judd Adams says

    November 13, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    Looking to make this soon, but the amount of lemon zest is scaring me :-). Is it the zest of the entire exterior of the lemon and is that a large or small lemon. Hoping for more of a estimated measurement if possible.

    I will come back and rate the recipe after I make it, but right now I'm drooling.

    Reply
    • Steph says

      November 16, 2017 at 8:17 pm

      I love lemon so I zest the whole lemon. If you are skeptical, scale back. Every time I make it the lemon is a different size so I can't give you an exact measurement - sorry.

      Reply
    • Pat. says

      January 16, 2018 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      Typically, lemon zest is just the yellow skin of the fruit, not the "pith" or white part inside.

      Reply
  4. Neela says

    December 17, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    Where do you get that tall trivet you are using?
    With the new IP, they ship small, short
    Trivet.
    What is the size of trivet you are using?
    Thx

    Reply
    • Steph says

      December 17, 2017 at 5:04 pm

      Hi Neela, I got it on Amazon. The link is within the post for the one I use!

      Reply
      • Aderra says

        July 17, 2018 at 6:59 pm

        Just to let you know your link to the metal bowl is no longer accurate. It takes me to a spice container. ?

        Reply
        • Steph says

          July 22, 2018 at 9:38 pm

          It is correct! I use the spice bowl!! It fits perfect.

          Reply
    • Anonymous says

      January 31, 2018 at 8:21 pm

      I actually just used the shirt trivet that came with my IP and it worked just fine. My chicken just got a little smushed ?

      Reply
  5. Lynn says

    January 08, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    I don’t have a rice bowl. What is it ?

    Reply
    • Steph says

      January 12, 2018 at 8:16 am

      I have a few. They are all just stainless steel bowls I find around that will fit!

      Reply
  6. Richane says

    January 08, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    Could this work with just chopped chicken? Is the skewer for presentation?

    Reply
    • Steph says

      January 12, 2018 at 8:16 am

      Definitely doesn't need to be on a skewer! I love doing whole thighs as well (I just increase time to 10 minutes).

      Reply
  7. Kelly says

    January 14, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    Do you have Canadian links for the items you use off Amazon (like the long leg trivet)?

    Reply
    • Steph says

      January 16, 2018 at 6:01 pm

      Here is the the Canadian link for the trivet! https://amzn.to/2ricKJm

      Reply
  8. Marzi says

    January 18, 2018 at 8:37 pm

    How would you convert this to the express crockpot.?There is no options for 5 mins. Wpuld you use high or low pressure and how many minutes

    Reply
    • Steph says

      January 19, 2018 at 6:41 am

      I am sorry, I am not familiar with the express crockpot. You could keep the chicken whole and do 8 minutes if that is an option. It is high pressure.

      Reply
  9. Christina says

    January 21, 2018 at 8:39 pm

    Hi! Would love to try this. The link for the trivet and bowl aren't working. Could you link me another that works with the 8 qt or give me advice on finding it? Can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks so much! : )

    Reply
    • Steph says

      January 23, 2018 at 7:32 am

      Hi Christina, the links appear to be working now. But... you can also go to my amazon influencer shop and find the links to everything I use for instant pot cooking. http://www.amazon.com/shop/mealplanaddict

      Reply
  10. Chelsie says

    February 06, 2018 at 4:42 pm

    How do you know if a bowl is safe for the instant pot?

    Reply
    • Steph says

      February 06, 2018 at 5:01 pm

      Stainless bowls are good, also many people use oven safe pyrex. I personally haven't but many many people have.

      Reply
  11. DeeAnna says

    February 07, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    I tried this recipe tonight. Since I didn’t ha e the accessories I only did the chicken in the instapot but the chicken just tastes like plain chicken with herbs on top. Wonder what I could have done poorly?

    Reply
  12. Erica says

    February 20, 2018 at 11:52 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is so yummy! I have made it twice now. The second time I made it I did not put the chicken on the skewers, instead I spooned the cooked chicken on some pita bread added some sauteed onions, bell peppers, lettuce, and a lemon dill sauce. It was divine! The whole family loved it. I maybe making this once a week! Thanks

    Reply
    • Steph says

      February 21, 2018 at 11:40 am

      That is awesome! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  13. Ryan says

    April 07, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    Hi Steph, I have 3 questions...well now, it's turned into 5, sorry!! 1. Are you using the wood skewers found in grocery stores? 2. Do you soak the skewers as the bag advises? 3. Do you half the skewers? I tried putting a whole skewer lengthwise in my IP 6qt and they're too long. 4. What is the deliciously looking cream sauce you put over the chicken skewers? Thanks so much!!

    Reply
    • Steph says

      April 08, 2018 at 1:30 pm

      Hi! 1. I use just regular kabob skewers from any grocery store. 2. No I don't soak - that is for if you bake or BBQ. 3. I do trim the skewers to fit. 4. It is tzatziki!

      Reply
  14. Yassy says

    April 15, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    Hi! Do I need the inner bowl for the rice? and i put everything together in the inner liner? thanks!

    Reply
    • Yassy says

      April 15, 2018 at 7:35 pm

      Can i put everything together in the inner liner *** Sorry typo

      Reply
    • Steph says

      April 17, 2018 at 5:12 pm

      I haven't tried that. I don't know if the water and rice ratio with the chicken will work. let me know if you tried it that way, and how it turned out!

      Reply
  15. Kelly Kinder says

    January 09, 2019 at 7:23 am

    Can I use fresh herbs? I have a creeping rosemary plant that I would prefer to use and I'll see what other fresh herbs are available at the store.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Steph says

      January 12, 2019 at 8:05 pm

      Absolutely!

      Reply
  16. kristie says

    May 20, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    If you dopuble the recipe for the chjicken, do I have to add time or extra broth?

    Reply
    • Steph says

      May 20, 2019 at 6:36 pm

      No you don't!

      Reply
  17. Katherine says

    January 03, 2020 at 11:07 am

    Can’t wait to try this! This may be a stupid question, but can you skip the skewers and just put the chicken pieces in the pot?

    Reply
    • Steph says

      January 04, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      You can for sure skip the skewers!

      Reply
  18. Steph says

    February 18, 2020 at 11:28 am

    I haven't tired it, but I don't see why not!

    Reply

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