Make this quick vegan chickeny rice in one pot for dinner tonight. This effortless recipe from Kathy Hester’s cookbook Gluten-Free, Vegan Cooking in Your Instant Pot is hearty, comforting, and packed with plant protein. You’ll need only a few basic ingredients, most of which you likely already have.
It’s naturally gluten-free and easy to adapt based on what’s in your fridge or pantry. The base is made with rice, vegan chicken, and broth. Add a mix of vegetables like carrots, celery, and peas for color and texture.
Read more: Kale Salad With Quinoa Pilaf
Everything cooks together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. You can use white or brown rice, depending on how much time you have. Add cashew cream for richness, but it’s optional. For an extra protein boost, she includes soy curls or seitan, though tofu would work too.
If you want to switch it up, swap the chicken-style seasonings for Cajun or curry spices. Serve it on its own or pair it with a salad or roasted veg. This one-pot vegan chickeny rice is perfect for busy nights and cozy meals alike.
Prep your one-pot vegan chickeny rice

Ingredients
Pressure Cooker Ingredients
- 2 cups (475 ml) water
- 2 vegan bouillon cubes
- 1 tsp DIY Poultry Seasoning
- 2 cups weight will vary frozen mix veggies (corn, carrots and green beans)
- 1½ cups (280 g) white jasmine or basmati rice
- 1 (10-oz [285-g]) package Gardein Chick’n Scallopini chopped (or make it oil-free with 2 cups [about 330 g] cooked chickpeas, hydrated soy curls, tempeh crumbles or tofu chunks)
Before Serving
- 2 tbsp (12 g) nutritional yeast or to taste (I used ¼ cup [24 g])
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a measuring cup, mix the water with the bouillon and poultry seasoning. Layer the following in your Instant Pot: the veggies on the bottom, followed by the rice and the water mixture. Push the rice under the liquid. Top with the protein.
- Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes and manually release the pressure.
- Stir in the nutritional yeast, salt and pepper until it’s just right for you.
- Add in 1½ cups (258 g) of cooked black beans and 1 cup (260 g) of salsa, then top with vegan cheese and cilantro.
- Add in 1 tablespoon (6 g) of garam masala and serve with a side of vegan yogurt.
Reprinted with permission from Gluten-Free, Vegan Cooking in Your Instant Pot by Kathy Hester. Page Street Publishing Co. 2020. Photo credit: Kathy Hester.
Read more: Saffron Green Bean Rice