Family Friendly

September 21, 2021 Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

Cooler weather calls for a rich, delicious, filling, comforting dinner, and this Instant Pot chicken and rice soup totally fits the bill! Juicy chicken, tender white rice, hearty vegetables, and a light seasoning, all cooked to perfection in the pressure cooker.

What Makes Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup So Good

It’s nutritious, filling, and full of delicious flavors and textures. Instant Pot chicken and rice soup comes out thick and creamy without adding any dairy at all, thanks to the starches in the rice.
It’s super easy to make! Everything gets cooked right in the Instant Pot. I mean everything! Brown the chicken in the Instant Pot, sauté the veggies in the Instant Pot, even the rice goes into the pressure cooker uncooked and comes out perfectly tender and fluffy.

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

Long-Grain White Rice – I really recommend using white rice, and not brown rice or instant rice. Why does it matter? It’s all about the cook times! The cook times vary depending on the type of rice you use. Brown rice typically takes longer, which can overcook the chicken. If you use instant rice, you won’t need as long of a cook time, which may give you undercooked chicken.

Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work, too. The recipe will be a little more flavorful since thighs are a fattier cut of chicken than chicken breasts. Just be sure to cook the thighs all the way through before eating!

Vegetables – Feel free to change up the types of vegetables you use. You could also stick with the classic carrots, celery, and onion, and just increase or decrease the quantities used based on your tastes. If you decide to add something like spinach (yum) be sure to add it after the cook time so it doesn’t overcook.

Chef’s Tips

Forget to thaw the chicken? No problem. In a pinch, you can actually use frozen chicken in your Instant Pot chicken and rice soup. Skip step 1 of the instructions below, and add the frozen chicken with the rice in step 5. You may need to add 2-3 minutes to the cook time to ensure the chicken is cooked through. After releasing the pressure, shred the chicken in the Instant Pot or take it out and chop it on a cutting board, then return it to the soup.
A little squeeze of lemon juice can really brighten up the flavors in the soup. Totally optional, but definitely worth a try! Add it to the soup once you’ve released the pressure.
The seasoning in this soup is very simple – salt, pepper, and some fresh herbs. Feel free to add your favorite spices and herbs to your Instant Pot chicken and rice and really make it your own!

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup in a white bowl, taken from above

You’ll Fall for These Instant Pot Recipes

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Print Recipe

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Total Time1 hr

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: healthy meal ideas, one pot meal, pressure cooker

Servings:

Calories: 363kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Cutting board & sharp knife
Instant Pot
Large bowl

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 stalks celery sliced
2 carrots sliced into coins
1 medium onion diced
4 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
¾ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
5 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth

Instructions

Trim chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil to Instant Pot and heat 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, add chicken pieces, working in batches as needed, and brown all pieces on every side. Be careful not to overcrowd Instant Pot.
Transfer browned chicken to large bowl and set aside. Add celery, carrots, onion, and garlic to Instant Pot. Sauté another 2 minutes, then add rosemary and thyme and sauté 1 additional minute.
Add white rice and chicken broth to Instant Pot with vegetables. Return browned chicken pieces to pot and stir everything well.
Secure lid on Instant Pot with valve in sealing position. Set to Manual High Pressure for 13 minutes. After cook time is up, Natural Release pressure for 10 minutes, then Quick Release any remaining pressure. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

Notes

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 4. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

September 7, 2021 Dairy-Free

Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup

This Chili’s southwest chicken soup is easy to make at home with just one pot! Loaded with flavor and fresh ingredients, this soup will quickly become one of your favorites.

What Makes This Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup So Good

It tastes just like the restaurant version! However, it’s super quick and easy to make in the comfort of your own home.
It all comes together in just one pot! This Chili’s southwest chicken soup couldn’t possibly be easier to cook and cleanup. With just one pot you’ll have a complete, hearty, and tasty meal.
It’s healthy but super satisfying! Loaded with lean chicken breast, fresh veggies, and a handful of flavorful spices. This dinner or lunch recipe is everything we stand for – easy, healthy, and delicious!

Key Ingredients for Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup

Diced Green Chiles – One small can of diced green chiles give this soup a subtle spice and incredible flavor. These canned peppers make this recipe standout. You can find diced green chiles in either the ethnic or canned goods aisle of most grocery stores.

White Hominy or Navy Beans – White hominy is used in the famous Chili’s recipe. However, this unique ingredient can sometimes be hard to come by. Therefore, if you can’t find white hominy at your local grocery store, you can easily use a can of white navy beans instead.

Chef’s Tips

Wait until the very end of this recipe to adjust any seasonings as desired. This Chili’s southwest chicken soup needs time to cook and simmer to allow the flavors to fully develop. Therefore, wait until the last step of this recipe to give things a taste and add anything you’d like.
Play around with the spices in this recipe. Feel free to make any adjustments to the amount of chili powder based on your spice tolerance. Though I find one tablespoon of chili powder adds a subtle spice without overpowering the soup.
Serve this soup however you’d like! To keep it low-carb, then simply top it with some shredded cheese and enjoy. Though I love enjoying mine with a big bowl of tortilla chips for dipping and topping – yum!

chili's southwest chicken soup in a bowl with a spoon

Other Easy Soup Recipes

Print Recipe

Chili’s Southwest Chicken Soup

This Chili's southwest chicken soup is easy to make at home with just one pot! Loaded with flavor and fresh ingredients, this soup will quickly become one of your favorites.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chili’s copycat recipe, one pot meal, restaurant-style

Servings: servings

Calories: 394kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large pot

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 onion chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
3 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 quart chicken stock see Notes
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup white hominy or navy beans, drained
2 teaspoons lime juice
¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
corn tortilla chips for serving
shredded cheese or crumbled queso fresco for serving

Instructions

Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper, then transfer to pot and cook for about 5 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove from pot and leave to rest for a few minutes on the counter.
Add the remaining two tablespoons of vegetable oil to pot along with the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until onion is soft.
Add in the cumin, chili powder, and paprika cooking for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
Stir in the chicken stock, diced green chiles, diced tomatoes, and Hominy or navy beans. Chop the cooked chicken breast into small bite-sized pieces and place that into the pot as well.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer for 5-8 minutes. Then remove from heat before adding in the lime juice and fresh cilantro.

Notes

Make it Paleo: Leave out the white hominy to make this a paleo meal.
Chicken Stock: Feel free to use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using white hominy and not including tortilla strips or cheese. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

September 2, 2021 Family Friendly

Chicken Florentine Soup

This chicken florentine soup is creamy, comforting, and surprisingly healthy! It’s packed with fresh veggies, chicken, and a few simple seasonings.

What Makes This Chicken Florentine Soup So Good

It requires simple ingredients you probably already have on-hand! Butter, garlic, onion, and chicken broth are a few of the easy items you’ll need. This is also the perfect recipe to use up any leftover pre-cooked chicken you might have lying around!
It all comes together in just one pot! With just one large pot you’ll have a complete meal and be left with very little cleanup.
It takes less than 30 minutes to make! Throw this quick and easy meal together on a busy weeknight when you’re craving something light but super satisfying.

Key Ingredients for Chicken Florentine Soup

Half and Half – Made up of half whole milk and half heavy cream, half and half makes this soup irresistibly creamy. I love the richness it contributes, without being too thick. However, you can use whole milk in place of the half and half in this recipe if you’d like.

Baby Spinach – Either fresh or frozen spinach will work in this chicken florentine soup! Two cups might sound like a lot, but once cooked, the spinach will wilt and shrink. Sometimes, when I’m feeling extra healthy, I throw in a couple extra handfuls of spinach. Spinach is super nutritious and loaded with vitamins and minerals!

Chef’s Tips

Wait until the very end of this recipe to taste and adjust any seasonings. The soup needs time to simmer and allow its flavors to develop. Therefore, wait until the last step to add anything you’d like!
Serve this chicken florentine soup however you’d like. I love enjoying a big bowl of this cozy soup with a thick slice crusty bread – yum! I’ve even served this over a bowl of cooked white rice, which was hearty and delicious.
Sprinkle some fresh parsley, cracked black pepper, and/or parmesan cheese over your finished dish. I love adding a fresh element to this hearty soup, it really helps brighten this recipe up!

two bowls of chicken florentine soup with crackers and fresh parsley on the side

More Easy Soup Recipes

Print Recipe

Chicken Florentine Soup

This chicken florentine soup is creamy, comforting, and surprisingly healthy! It's packed with fresh veggies, chicken, and a few simple seasonings.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: comfort food, one pot meal, soup

Servings: servings

Calories: 315kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large pot

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
4 garlic cloves minced
1 onion diced
1 cup carrots diced
1 cup celery diced
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 quart chicken broth
1 cup half and half
2 cups cooked chicken diced or shredded
2 cups baby spinach

Instructions

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add in the garlic, onion, carrots and celery. Cook 3-5 minutes or until veggies are soft.
Add flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper then stir for 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and half and half, bring soup to a boil then reduce to a simmer for about 15 minutes or until it begins to thicken.
Stir in the chicken and spinach, simmer for 5 minutes then taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Notes

Make it Gluten-Free: Use cassava flour or rice flour in place of the all purpose flour in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 31, 2021 Appetizer

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip is cheesy, delicious, and ready in just 20 minutes! It’s a quick and easy take on a comforting classic. Whip this easy recipe together for friends, family, or your next potluck!

What Makes This Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip So Good

It takes just 20 minutes to make! It’s the fastest method to creating this crowd-pleasing dip. I love throwing this quick recipe together when I’m entertaining, but am short on time.
It all comes together in the Instant Pot! Let’s face it, one pot meals are the best. And this Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip is no exception!
It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor! Spicy hot sauce, zesty ranch dressing, and three (yes, three!) different kinds of cheese make this dip totally irresistible.

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Hot Sauce – I prefer Frank’s Red Hot Sauce in my buffalo chicken recipes, though any hot sauce will work. You could even use a buffalo sauce instead if you’d like. If not using Frank’s, Tabasco or Cholula hot sauce are very similar and will yield delicious results.

Ranch Dressing – Ranch dressing not only adds to the creaminess of this dip, but to the flavor as well! It’s the perfect zesty and tangy addition to this recipe. If you prefer a thicker dip, then you can use a packet of ranch seasoning in place of the ranch dressing in this recipe.

Chef’s Tips

If you’re having trouble getting the cheese to melt in the last step, simply set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. This will reheat the Instant Pot and ensure all the cheese melts much quicker!
Aim to cover the chicken in hot sauce and ranch dressing before cooking. When the surface of the chicken is completely covered in sauce, it will soak up as much of that delicious flavor as possible. You can even give the ingredients a quick stir before securing the lid if you’d like!
For an even thicker dip, add an extra cup of cheddar cheese! Depending on your preferences, you may want to thicken this recipe up. Therefore, an extra cup or so of shredded cheese will do the trick.

overhead closeup image of instant pot buffalo chicken dip with sliced green onions on top

More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip is cheesy, delicious, and ready in just 20 minutes! It's a quick and easy take on a comforting classic. Whip this easy recipe together for friends, family, or your next potluck!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chips and dip, entertaining, potluck

Servings: servings

Calories: 390kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup hot sauce such as Frank's Hot Sauce
½ cup ranch dressing
4 tablespoons butter
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Place chicken in Instant Pot and cover with hot sauce, ranch dressing, and butter.
Cook on manual high pressure for 15 minutes, then quick release steam.
Remove lid, shred chicken with two forks, then add in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Stir until cheese has melted.

Notes

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 6 using specific ingredients listed above. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 19, 2021 Family Friendly

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

This buffalo chicken mac and cheese is as simple as it is delicious! A quick and easy homemade cheese sauce with added buffalo chicken is perfectly spicy and flavorful. Enjoy this irresistibly cheesy and comforting meal the next time you’re craving something quick and cozy.

closeup overhead image of buffalo chicken mac and and cheese with sliced scallions on top

What Makes This Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese So Good

It’s out-of-this-world cheesy! A simple combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese create a deliciously tangy and savory cheese sauce.
It’s surprisingly easy to make! Start by cooking your pasta, then throwing together the cheese sauce – add some shredded chicken and buffalo sauce – then toss everything together and bake. You’ll have a complete and delicious meal in just a few very simple steps.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, loves this buffalo chicken mac and cheese! It’s the perfect meal to throw together for friends and family. No one can resist its velvety smooth sauce, and layers of cheese!

Key Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Whole Milk – Whole milk is the base of the delicious cheese sauce I can’t stop raving about! It makes the overall recipe super rich and comforting. I highly recommend whole milk for intense depth of flavor. However, 1% or 2% milk will also work in this buffalo chicken mac and cheese.

Buffalo Sauce – Use any buffalo sauce you’d like! If I’m making this dish for myself, then I reach for a medium to spicy buffalo sauce, as I love a bit of spice. Though if I’m making this recipe for others, I play things safe and use a mild buffalo sauce instead. There are a ton of great options out there and all will work in this comforting recipe.

Shredded Chicken – I used this method for super quick and easy shredded chicken. However, you can use any method you’d like to cook, shred, and prepare your chicken for this recipe. I also highly recommend prepping a big batch of shredded chicken, then freezing it for future use in a variety of recipes!

Chef’s Tips

If once the bake time is up, your buffalo chicken mac and cheese isn’t as brown on top as you’d like it – then switch your oven to high broil. Leave it in the oven for only a minute or two, and keep a close eye on it as it can burn quickly!
I find the combination of mozzarella and cheddar work perfectly in this dish. However, feel free to add or switch up the cheese however you’d like! Some Monterey jack cheese or even all cheddar cheese would taste great as well.
Top your finished dish off with an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce! Sometimes, I’ll even drizzle some ranch dressing on top, therefore making it that much more delicious. Get creative with your toppings, and customize this recipe however you’d like!

buffalo chicken mac and cheese in a baking dish with buffalo sauce and sliced scallions on top

More Cheesy Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked mac and cheese, family friendly, potluck

Servings: servings

Calories: 483kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large pot
9×13 baking dish

Ingredients

1 pound elbow pasta
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup buffalo sauce
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
3 celery stalks chopped
½ cup crumbled blue cheese optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and cook pasta according to package instructions, until al dente.
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add in the flour and whisk until a paste forms.
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly then bring the mixture to a boil before reducing to a simmer until sauce has thickened.
Whisk in the mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and buffalo sauce and continue to whisk until cheese has melted.
Remove cheese sauce from heat and mix in the shredded chicken, cooked pasta, and chopped celery then transfer to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Top mac and cheese with crumbled blue cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly brown and bubbly.

Notes

Make it Gluten-Free: Replace the all purpose flour for rice flour or cassava flour and use one pound of your favorite gluten-free pasta.

Recipe yields approximately 8 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, including crumbled blue cheese. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 12, 2021 Family Friendly

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

These buffalo chicken quesadillas are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and they’re loaded with tangy buffalo chicken and melty cheese on the inside! With a few simple ingredients and in just 10 minutes you’ll have a flavor-packed lunch or dinner.

What Makes These Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas So Good

They’re irresistibly cheesy and delicious! Layers of melty Mexican cheese and spicy buffalo chicken are encased in two crispy flour tortillas. These buffalo chicken quesadillas are seriously addictive!
They require just 5 ingredients! Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, butter, tortillas, and shredded Mexican cheese. That’s all you’ll need for this super simple recipe!
It’s an easy meal to throw together when you’re short on time. Start by mixing together the buffalo chicken. Then, layer everything between two tortillas. Last, but definitely not least, fry up in a pan until golden brown and delicious!

Key Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

Buffalo Sauce – Any buffalo sauce will work in this buffalo chicken quesadillas recipe! I most often use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce since it packs in quite a bit of spice and flavor. However, you can certainly pick up any buffalo sauce that best suits your spice preferences.

Butter – Believe it or not, butter is a very important part of this recipe. Each quesadilla is quickly pan-fried in butter. This gives them a perfect golden brown shell. I’ve tried this recipe with a variety of oils. Though none taste nearly as good as butter does. However, the one substitution you could make here is by using ghee instead of butter.

Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend – Most Mexican cheese blends contain a mixture of Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese. Both cheeses together give these quesadillas a mildly sharp and tangy flavor. However, if you can’t find a Mexican cheese blend, you can simply combine the cheeses yourself. Also, you can use either cheese alone in these quesadillas if you prefer!

Chef’s Tips

The amount of buffalo chicken and cheese in each quesadilla is simply a recommendation. If you prefer a super cheesy quesadilla, then feel free to throw some more cheese in there! Get creative with this recipe. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!
I highly recommend serving your finished quesadillas with a side of ranch dressing. Zesty ranch is the perfect compliment to spicy buffalo chicken and sharp Mexican cheese!
If you have any leftover quesadillas, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, place them in a skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon of butter. Then, leave for a few minutes or until cheese has re-melted. However, I will say – these buffalo chicken quesadillas are best enjoyed immediately after making!

buffalo chicken quesadillas slices stacked on top of each other

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Print Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

These buffalo chicken quesadillas are crispy on the outside and loaded with tangy buffalo chicken and melty cheese on the inside! With a few simple ingredients and in just 10 minutes you'll have a flavor-packed lunch or dinner.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: buffalo sauce, cheesy, easy lunch

Servings:

Calories: 508kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Bowl
Large skillet

Ingredients

2 cups cooked shredded chicken see Notes
½ cup buffalo sauce
4 tablespoons butter
4 10-inch flour tortillas
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese

For Serving (Optional)

ranch dressing
fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

Mix together the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce in a bowl.
Heat two tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle tortilla with ½ cup cheese then half of the shredded buffalo chicken.
Place another ½ cup cheese on top of chicken, followed by another tortilla. Cook for about 2 minutes or until golden brown underneath.
Flip quesadilla and cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from skillet and repeat with remaining ingredients.

Notes

Shredded Chicken: I followed this simple method to prepare my shredded chicken for this recipe. However, this Instant Pot shredded chicken is also a great option as well!

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 4, not including ranch dressing. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

August 10, 2021 Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Bacon

Cooking bacon in the Instant Pot is quick, easy, and mess-free! Bacon, tongs, and an Instant Pot is all you’ll need to achieve perfectly crispy bacon in just 5 minutes.

What Makes Instant Pot Bacon So Good

The high sides on the Instant Pot catch any splatter and cause less mess! One of the most annoying parts about cooking bacon is cleaning up the grease that somehow gets everywhere. This method gives you the perfectly crispy bacon you desire, minus the mess!
The Instant Pot cooks bacon in a fraction of the time of most other cooking methods. Just 5 minutes on the sauté setting is all you need for super crispy and delicious bacon!
It’s super simple and totally foolproof! This is one of those recipes that’s almost impossible to mess up. Keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks and remove it from the pot when it’s ready – that’s it!

What You’ll Need for Instant Pot Bacon

Bacon – Your one and only ingredient here is bacon, so I highly recommend making it good quality bacon! I always make sure my bacon is free of added sugar, antibiotics, and is uncured. While I prefer the taste of regular pork bacon, you can use this method to cook turkey bacon as well!

Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot, though any size will work. However, depending on the size you might have to work in batches to cook all of your bacon. To prepare your Instant Pot for cooking bacon, start by plugging it in and then hitting the “Sauté” button. Next, adjust the time using the “+” and “-” symbols to set it to 5 minutes. Once the screen reads 5 minutes, wait for the pot to beep to tell you it’s starting to heat up and then get cooking!

Chef’s Tips

Keep an eye on the bacon as it cooks! Since this recipe takes just 5 minutes, the bacon will start to crisp up almost immediately. Therefore, you’ll want to keep a close eye on it to make sure you don’t accidentally overcook the bacon.
Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. With any cooked bacon, it will be pretty greasy once it’s done. Placing it on a sheet of paper towel will help to soak up much of the grease before eating!
Avoid overlapping any strips of bacon inside the Instant Pot. You may need to work in batches to cook all of your bacon, though this will ensure it cooks evenly and totally crispy!

a plate of bacon in front of an instant pot and a bowl of eggs

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Print Recipe

Instant Pot Bacon

Cooking bacon in the Instant Pot is quick, easy, and mess-free! Bacon, tongs, and an Instant Pot is all you'll need to achieve perfectly crispy bacon in just 5 minutes.

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: instant pot recipe, less mess, less than 5 minutes

Servings: servings

Calories: 75kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

6 slices bacon cut in half

Instructions

Place bacon in a single layer at the bottom of Instant Pot.
Set to sauté for 5 minutes and cook, flipping frequently, until you’ve achieved your desired crispness.

Notes

Flip the bacon about every minute to ensure even cooking and crispness!

Recipe yields 12 half slices of bacon, or 3 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 4 half slices or 2 whole slices of bacon. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

July 27, 2021 Air Fryer

Perfect Air Fryer French Toast

Cooking up perfect french toast is a breeze when you use an air fryer! This air fryer french toast is everything you could ever want – toasty and crisp on the outside, soft and warm on the inside, with an amazing hint of cinnamon and vanilla. Top it with maple syrup and fresh fruit for a special breakfast or brunch treat.

Syrup poured over air fryer french toast on a plate topped with blueberries and strawberries

What Makes Air Fryer French Toast So Good

There’s barely any prep for the recipe, and the cook time is practically nothing! This is a great recipe for busy mornings OR for those laid back mornings when the kids help in the kitchen. There’s no hot pans, no standing over the stove, and clean up is a piece of cake. Er, well. A piece of french toast!
Air fryer french toast is incredibly versatile. You can top it with anything you want! Fresh fruit, flavored syrups, chocolate chips, raisins, powdered sugar… You can also add other seasonings to the egg mixture, like pumpkin pie spice. If you want to spin this into a dessert, adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside the warm french toast will blow. your. mind.
Leftovers are no problem, so don’t be afraid to make too much! Just refrigerate the cooled leftovers in an airtight container. They’ll keep up to 5 days or so. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer until warmed through. You could also reheat them in the microwave but they won’t get as toasty. Note: if you think you’ll have leftovers, don’t put any toppings on those slices until you’re definitely ready to eat them.

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer French Toast

Bread – So what’s the best bread for french toast? Whatever you like, so long as it’s thick! Brioche is ideal, but you can also use challah and Texas toast. If you’re cutting your own slices out of a larger loaf, just make sure to slice them approximately 1″-1.5″ thick. Cook times will vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of your bread slices.

Eggs – Eggs are a staple in traditional french toast. They’re the base of the egg wash you’ll dip the bread into, which turns into that magnificent sweet outer coating when you cook the bread.

Cinnamon – CLASSIC. Cinnamon on french toast is CLASSIC. We’re mixing a little into the egg wash mixture that coats the bread, which means every inch of bread ends up with cinnamony-goodness. If you’d like, you can use other spices here, in place of or in addition to the cinnamon.

Chef’s Tips

Don’t skip spraying the air fryer basket with a non-stick spray. You don’t want the bread to stick (trust me) so it’s super important. Make sure to use a spray that’s safe for air fryers, too. Your average aerosol sprays can damage the coating on the air fryer basket.
Really great french toast has a crisp exterior. In order to get that same texture with air fryer french toast, it’s important that you don’t overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer (and the size of your bread slices), you may need to work in 2-3 batches. If you cook multiple batches, be sure to spray the basket again between each one.
You can absolutely make air fryer french toast STICKS out of this recipe if you prefer those! Just cut each slice of bread into thick sticks and proceed as usual. Again, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You may not need a full 10 minutes to cook the french toast sticks, so keep an eye on them and adjust as needed.

Overhead angle of air fryer french toast

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Stack of air fryer french toast on a plate

Print Recipe

Perfect Air Fryer French Toast

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American, French

Keyword: family friendly, lighter option, sweet treat

Servings: slices

Calories: 229kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Air Fryer
Large bowl
Whisk
Air-fryer-safe non-stick spray

Ingredients

2 large eggs
¾ cup half and half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
5 slices thick cut bread

Suggested Toppings (All Optional)

butter
maple syrup or your favorite sugar-free maple syrup
powdered sugar or powdered erythritol
cinnamon sugar
blueberries
strawberries
bananas
chocolate chips
whipped cream

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
In large bowl, mix together eggs, half and half, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
Remove air fryer basket and spray with air-fryer-safe non-stick spray. Dip each slice of bread in egg wash, coating both sides. Let excess egg wash drip back into bowl, then place bread in air fryer basket. Note: don't overcrowd basket. Work in batches if needed.
Return basket to air fryer. Cook 5 minutes, then flip bread and cook another 5 minutes. Repeat until all bread has been cooked. Serve warm with desired toppings.

Notes

All suggested toppings are optional. Use whatever you like, or enjoy the toast on its own!
This recipe was tested and perfected in a Chefman air fryer. Actual cook times may vary depending on your specific air fryer, and the size and thickness of your bread. Keep an eye on the toast and adjust as needed.

Recipe yields 5 slices of french toast. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 slice using the ingredients listed, not including any optional toppings. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

July 20, 2021 Air Fryer

Air Fryer Home Fries

These air fryer home fries are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside! In under 20 minutes you’ll have restaurant-quality home fries with minimal effort and ingredients.

What Makes These Air Fryer Home Fries So Good

They cook up incredibly crispy and delicious every time! This foolproof recipe takes all of the guesswork out of making super crispy home fries. Simply add everything to an air fryer and then let it do all the work!
They’re lightly seasoned and easy to customize. A pinch of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt is all you’ll need to create flavorful air fryer home fries. However, you can always switch up the seasonings however you’d like!
They’re the perfect side dish to so many recipes! Home fries are delicious and can be enjoyed beyond breakfast time. Serve these alongside our air fryer chicken legs or sausage for a quick, full, and balanced meal!

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Home Fries

Potatoes – Use any white, yellow, or even red potato you’d like in this simple recipe! I love yellow potatoes for their incredibly soft texture and almost buttery flavor. Though I’ve made this recipe with pretty much every potato you can think of – russet potatoes, baby potatoes, red potatoes – and they all turned out delicious. You could even use sweet potatoes if you’d like, though keep in mind they won’t turn out as crispy. Also, you’re free to either remove the skins or leave the skins on your potatoes. I personally don’t mind skin on my air fryer home fries, so to make my life easier I just keep it on!

Spray Cooking Oil – I recommend either avocado spray cooking oil or vegetable spray cooking oil. Both options have a higher smoke point and are better for use in the air fryer. However, if you don’t have spray cooking oil, you can simply use a drizzle of regular oil instead.

Smoked Paprika – A little bit goes a long way with these air fryer home fries! Smoked paprika is traditional to the home fries you’d find at most diners and breakfast spots. Though if you don’t have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika instead. And if you’d like, you can even leave the paprika out of this recipe altogether.

Chef’s Tips

Pause the air fryer ever 3-5 minutes, remove the tray or basket and give it a few big shakes. Shaking the home fries will ensure they all cook and crisp up evenly!
There’s no need to go overboard on the oil here! While standard cooking methods may require quite a bit of oil, the air fryer eliminates the need to use much. So, thank you air fryer for making super crispy home fries without the extra calories!
Store any leftover home fries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to eat, transfer back to the air fryer tray or basket and cook at 350° for 5-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving leftover home fries, as they will lose much of their delightful crunch!

air fryer home fries on a plate being dipped into ketchup with a fork

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Print Recipe

Air Fryer Home Fries

These air fryer home fryers are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside! In under 20 minutes you'll have restaurant-quality home fries with minimal effort and ingredients.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer, easy breakfast, restaurant-style

Servings: servings

Calories: 88kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large bowl
Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds potatoes chopped into even 1-inch chunks, see Notes
spray cooking oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Add the potatoes to a large bowl and spritz with spray cooking oil to coat.
Sprinkle with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder – toss to evenly coat potatoes in spices.
Spritz air fryer basket with cooking oil then transfer potatoes to basket and cook at 380° Fahrenheit for 14 minutes, pausing to shake basket every 3-5 minutes.

Notes

Potatoes: Any white, yellow, or red potatoes will work in this recipe! You have the option to either remove the skin or leave the skin on before chopping.
Keep in mind that all seasonings are optional and you’re free to spice these home fries up however you’d like!

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 6 using the ingredients listed. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

July 15, 2021 Dairy-Free

Cheesy Keto Green Beans

These easy keto green beans are the perfect low carb dinner veggie! Simple, yet perfectly seasoned. They’re cheesy, crisp, and full of great flavor!

keto green beans on a baking sheet with red pepper flakes on top

What Makes This Keto Green Beans Recipe So Good

This recipe takes just 20 minutes to make! It’s perfect when you need a quick and healthy side dish.
They’re made with just a few simple ingredients. These keto green beans are lightly seasoned then topped with shredded cheese – YUM!
Each serving of these green beans has just 4g of net carbs! Making it super easy to fit into your low carb or keto diet.

Key Ingredients for Keto Green Beans

Fresh Green Beans – This crisp veggie is available all year round at most grocery stores. They’re low in calories and loaded with vitamins and good-for-you dietary fiber. Green beans make a great addition to any keto or low-carb diet! To prepare your green beans for this recipe, start by giving them a good rinse under cold water, then snap off and remove the stems.

Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan cheese adds a delicate, yet sharp flavor to this side dish! I highly recommend purchasing a block of parmesan cheese and grating it yourself for this recipe. Most pre-grated cheeses have unnecessary fillers in them that pack in extra carbs. To keep this recipe keto and low-carb, grate or shred all the cheeses yourself.

Chef’s Tips

You can fancy up this dish by adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest, a little butter (great if you need some more of your daily fat while on keto), bacon, or slivered almonds. You can even add a sprinkling of extra parmesan cheese once baked, if you’d like!
Keep a close eye on your cheese as the keto green beans bake. Depending on the position of your oven rack, the cheese can take less or more time to turn golden brown. If the cheese isn’t browning as much as you’d like, you can set the oven to broil for one minute!
While these keto green beans are best enjoyed while the cheese is still hot, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat in either the microwave or in a 400° Fahrenheit oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly!

keto green beans being lifted off a baking sheet with a spatula

More Veggie Recipes

Print Recipe

Cheesy Keto Green Beans

These easy keto green beans are the perfect low carb dinner veggie! Simple, yet perfectly seasoned. They're cheesy, crisp, and full of great flavor!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: low carb, under 30 minutes, vegetables

Servings: servings

Calories: 156kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Ingredients

16 ounces fresh green beans
2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup parmesan cheese grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss the green beans, oil, garlic, salt and black pepper together in a large bowl.
Transfer green beans to the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Remove and toss green beans before evenly sprinkling with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly.

Notes

Variations: Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest, a little butter (great if you need some more of your daily fat while on keto), bacon, or slivered almonds.
Avoid pre-grated/shredded cheese for this recipe which may have added fillers and carbs!

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 6. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition