• RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • KETO/LOW CARB
    • Appetizers/Drinks
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Courses
    • Soups
    • Side Dishes
    • Casseroles
    • HOLIDAYS/SEASONAL
      • Rosh Hashanah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Chanukkah
      • Christmas
      • New Year’s Eve
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Super Bowl/Game Day
      • Easter
      • Passover
      • 4th of July
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Memorial Day
    • Jewish Recipes
    • Asian Cooking
    • INSTANT POT
      • All Pressure Cooking
      • Dump and Push
      • Pot in Pot
      • Freezer Recipes
    • AIR FRYER
  • SHOP ESSENTIALS
    • Shop All Categories!
    • This Old Gal Pressure Cooker Cookbook
    • Shop My Favorites
    • What’s In My Kitchen!
    • Instant Pot & Pressure Cooker Stuff
    • TOG’s Gift Guide
    • Shop My Amazon Store
  • GET NEWSLETTER
  • BUY MY COOKBOOK

Work with TOG

  • RECIPE INDEX
    • All Recipes
    • Keto & Low Carb Recipes
    • Holidays/Seasonal
    • Jewish Recipes
    • Asian Recipes
    • Freezer Meals
  • BY METHOD
    • Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
  • SHOP ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS
    • Shop All Categories
    • What’s In My Kitchen!
    • Shop My Amazon Store
    • Buy My Cookbook!!!
  • SELKATZ TONKINESE
  • WORK WITH THIS OLD GAL
    • Contact This Old Gal
  • ABOUT TOG
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions & User Agreement
    • Recipe Photo Use Policy
    • Website Accessibility Statement

↑

This Old Gal

Delicious homemade recipes with step by step instructions

Restaurant Quality Meals From My Home To Yours

  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Low Carb
    • Appetizers/Beverages
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Main Courses
    • Holidays/Seasonal
      • Rosh Hashanah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Chanukkah
      • Christmas
      • Super Bowl/Game Day
      • New Year’s Eve
      • Passover
      • Easter
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Memorial Day
      • 4th of July
    • Casseroles
    • Jewish Recipes
    • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
      • Pot in Pot & One Pot
      • Dump and Push
    • Air Fryer
    • Freezer
  • Low Carb Recipes
  • Shop Essential Products
    • Shop All Categories!
    • Favorite Instant Pot Accessories
    • Shop My Amazon Store!
    • Favorite Pressure Cooker Accessories
    • Kitchen Tools Gadgets & Essentials
    • TOG’s Gift Guide
    • Instant Pot Mini 3 Quart Accessories
    • Favorite Baking Cooking Air Fryer Accessories & Bread Making Tools
    • Small Electric Kitchen Appliances & Pressure Cookers
    • Coupons, Brands & Reviews
  • About
    • Selkatz Tonkinese
    • Contact This Old Gal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms & Conditions & User Agreement
    • Recipe Photo Use Policy
    • Website Accessibility Statement

Home / Recipes / Main Courses / Chicken / Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa “Rice”

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa “Rice”

January 21, 2018 By Jill Selkowitz / 17 Comments Updated February 29, 2020 / As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases; see all disclosures.

Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa “Rice” is packed with protein and is a healthier alternative to Chicken Fried Rice. Perfect for Weight Watchers and lower calorie diets.

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa

We do love our Fried Rice in this house.

Especially Barbecue Pork Fried Rice.

You can call us “Fried Rice Snobs.” True New York Style Fried Rice, does not contain carrots, corn, beans and peas.

However, and in light of trying to reduce our carbohydrate and upping our protein and vegetables, I am including some non-authentic vegetables in this Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa.

While not a true “Dump and Push” recipe, this recipe has very little steps, so I call this a “Dump-ish” and Push recipe.

Plus using your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker makes this recipe, almost hands off.

 

Cast of Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa

Cast of Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa cooks up super fast in an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker, so gather up the ingredients and start cooking.

The Instant Pot Mini is always great for smaller recipes like this and perfect for side dishes.

Jump to Section

  • Ingredients of Chicken Fried Quinoa Rice
  • How to Wash Quinoa
  • What is Quinoa?
  • Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa

Ingredients of Chicken Fried Quinoa Rice

  • Chicken
  • Quinoa
  • Various Vegetables – use your favorites
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Soy Sauce
  • Pure Sesame Oil
  • Sweet/Black Soy Sauce
  • Onions,  Fresh Garlic, Fresh Ginger
  • Bean Sprouts and Scallions (Green Onions)
  • Sambal Oelek Ground Chili Paste (totally optional)
  • Water Chestnuts (optional, for crunch)

If you prefer to use fresh diced vegetables, rather than Frozen Vegetables, add 1/4 cup of additional liquid, such as Fresh Chicken Broth or use a Chicken Base/Water mix.

 

Rinse the Quinoa Thoroughly using a Strainer

Rinse the Quinoa Thoroughly

Quinoa needs to be rinsed really well, to remove the bitter taste that is attached to the outside hull.

How to Wash Quinoa

  • Put the Quinoa in a Small Bowl and fill it up with Water. Grab a handful and rub the grains against each other in your hands.
  • Pour it though a Fine stainless steel mesh strainer, and then shake out the excess.

Pro Tip: This recipe goes super fast, so it is best to have all ingredients ready to go, before you even turn on your pressure cooker.

What is Quinoa?

  • Quinoa is a seed. It is a grain, but it is a grain that is higher in protein.
  • Quinoa is rich in lysine, which is great for the body as it promotes healthy tissue growth.
  • It is nice source of iron, potassium and fiber, which most of us can use!
  • It comes from a flowering plant, therefore quinoa is a flowering plant.

 

Swirl the Oil in the Hot Pot

Swirl the Oil in the Hot Pot

To make sure that your Pot becomes non-stick, heat up the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker fully prior to adding your fat. In this case, Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

This will make a Stainless Steel pot, non-stick. You will still need to deglaze your pot after Sautéing and remove the stuck on bits, but with this method, those stuck on bits, should lift right off.

Once the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker is very hot, add in the Oil and swirl to coat.

 

Add Diced Onions to the Oil

Add Diced Onions to the Oil

Drop in the Onions for a short Saute.

That Red Spatula works with temperatures up to 600 degrees! If you are in the market for a great Spatula Set, I suggest the di Oro Living Silicone Spatulals Set.

 

Cook the Onions until starting to Caramelize

Cook the Onions until starting to Caramelize

The Onions will begin to release Water and start to Caramelize.

 

Add in the Aromatics Soy Sauce, Garlic, Ginger, Sambal Oelek

Add in the Aromatics

Don’t be concerned about the cooking pot turning a bit brown. I promise that nothing will stick.

These aromatics and a bit of liquid will quickly help to remove anything stuck.

 

The Onions Jump off the Bottom

The Onions Jump off the Bottom

Almost instantly, anything loose on the bottom, will release.

Right about now, your’re going to say, ummmmm, this smells so good! Talk about smelling so good, try my Pressure Cooker Cuban Black Bean Quinoa Bowls. So much flavor and aromatics.

If you want a bit of heat or more flavor, add a bit more Sambal Oelek Ground Chili Paste.

 

Give the Quinoa a Quick Toast

Give the Quinoa a Quick Toast

Dump in the Quinoa and give it a quick mix. Toasting the Quinoa, adds another layer of flavor.

If you are in a hurry, you can totally skip the toasting add the rest of the ingredients into your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.

White Meat or Dark Meat will work equally as well. Since the Chicken is cut into small strips, the short cook time will keep the Chicken nice and juicy.

If you want to use Fresh Vegetables, you will need to add a bit more liquid.

 

Whisk up the Eggs Well with Pure Sesame Oil

Whisk up the Eggs Well

Once the pressure is released, open the Lid.

Mixing in the Sesame Oil with the Scrambled Eggs will help keep the Eggs from clumping and will allow them to firm up, without sticking to the cooking pot.

 

Make a little space for the Eggs

Make a little space for the Eggs

This is just a time saver, so after you move aside the Quinoa and scramble up the Eggs on the bottom of the pot, there won’t be any need for scraping up what sticks.

You really don’t want to stir fry any Sesame Oil , as it burns easily and changes the taste of the Oil to an almost rancid taste.

While I have your attention, Toasted Sesame Oil should never be used to Saute or added during cooking. Toasted Sesame Oil is used for a quick drizzle, right before serving your food.

Plus, the Quinoa has to be fluffed anyway, so you are killing two birds with one stone. What a horrible expression. Birds are beautiful and serve just great purposes to planet Earth.

 

Mix in Scallions and Bean Sprouts

Mix in Scallions and Bean Sprouts

Mix in the Green part of the Scallions and you are good to go. They will slightly wilt and also add a bit of crunch.

This recipe is pretty healthy and quite hearty. It can be eaten as a full and complete meal or as a side dish.

If eating as a complete meal, I might double the amount of chicken

Of course, pork, beef, tofu, shrimp can be used in addition or in place of. If using Shrimp, add the raw shrimp in after pressure is released and before adding the Eggs.

 

Pressure Cooker Chicken Fried Quinoa

Pressure Cooker Chicken Fried Quinoa

You may enjoy my Pressure Cooker Chinese Hot and Sour Soup to start. My Air Fryer Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings and my Pressure Cooker Take-Out Spicy Orange Beef both pair great with this recipe and would make a wonderful meal!

Let me know if this Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa “Rice” satisfies your craving for the regular Chinese Pressure Cooker Fried Rice.

My goal is to create more recipes and also convert many of my already blogged recipes to a healthy and very tasty alternative.

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

  • Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
  • J.A. Henckels Classic 8 inch Chef’s Knife
  • Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
  • Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
  • Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
  • Rösle Stainless Steel Flat Whisk– a MUST have, probably my most used utensil
  • di Oro Living Silicone Spatulals Set
  • Rachael Ray Stoneware EVOO Oil Dispensing Bottle
  • Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
  • Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder
  • 3 ounce Porcelain Dipping/Condiment Bowls
  • My FANTASTIC Teak Cutting & Charcuterie Board & Compartments
  • Small 1.5 Quart “Pot in Pot” Mixing Bowl
  • Fine stainless steel mesh strainer

Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes! 

If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!

Here is the handy printable recipe:

Pressure Cooker Chicken Fried Quinoa

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa

5 from 4 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Main, Side Dish
Cuisine: American Chinese
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute minute
Total Time: 31 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 475kcal
Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
  • 1 medium Yellow/Brown Onion chopped
  • 2 cloves Fresh Garlic peeled and minced
  • 1 inch Fresh Ginger Root peeled and minced
  • 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Sweet/Black Soy Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Sambal Oelek Ground Chili Paste (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1.75 cups Quinoa rinsed well
  • 1.75 cups Chicken Stock/Broth
  • 16 ounces Frozen Mixed Vegetables any variety
  • 1 pound Chicken (white or dark) Boneless/Skinless, sliced
  • 2-3 large Eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Pure Sesame Oil
  • 4 Scallions White and Green divided and choppped
  • 1 cup Fresh Bean Sprouts or as desired
  • 2-3 ounces Water Chestnuts drained (optional), chopped
US Customary - Metric

Recommended Products

Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
Liquid Measuring Cup Set
Liquid Measuring Cup Set
High Heat Resistant Spatula
High Heat Resistant Spatula

Instructions

  • Select Sauté/Browning on Pressure Cooker and allow pot to fully heat.
  • Add Olive Oil to cooking pot and swirl to coat.  Add Onions and Sauté for about 2 minutes, or until Onions begin to brown.
  • Add Ginger, Garlic, Soy Sauces, Salt, Pepper and Sambal Oelek.  Mix into Onions and deglaze cooking pot.  Add Quinoa and Toast for one minute.
  • Add Broth, White part of Scallions, Frozen Vegetables, optional Water Chestnuts and Chicken.
  • Lock on Lid and close Pressure Valve.  Cook at High Pressure (most machines default to high pressure) for 1 minute. 
  • When Beep sounds, wait 7 minutes and then release the rest of the pressure.
  • In a bowl, scramble eggs with Sesame Oil. 
  • Remove Lid from Pressure Cooker and Select Sauté/Browning. 
  • Push Fried Quinoa to the side and pour Eggs into cooking pot.  Let the eggs sit for 1 minute and then scramble. 
  • Slowly push Eggs under Quinoa, continuing to mix. 
  • Add Bean Sprouts and Green parts of Scallions. 
  • Mix Fried Quinoa until Bean Sprouts have softened and Eggs are firm.

Notes

Quinoa needs to be rinsed really well, to remove the bitter taste that is attached to the outside hull.

How to Wash Quinoa

  • Put the Quinoa in a Small Bowl and fill it up with Water. Grab a handful and rub the grains against each other in your hands.
  • Pour it though a Fine Mesh Strainer, and then shake out the excess.
This recipe goes super fast, so it is best to have all ingredients ready to go, before you even turn on the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.
The Sambal Oelek Chili Paste will add a slight bit of heat, so if you want a mild Pressure Cooker Chicken Fried Quinoa "Rice" dish, omit the Paste.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa
Amount Per Serving
Calories 475 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 109mg36%
Sodium 1212mg53%
Potassium 688mg20%
Carbohydrates 53g18%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 4192IU84%
Vitamin C 14mg17%
Calcium 75mg8%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @ThisOldGalCooks or tag #thisoldgalcooks!
© ThisOldGal.com - Sharing the recipe link to any of my recipes posts are both encouraged and appreciated. Unauthorized and improperly attributed or non-attributed use of this material, including screen shots, copy/paste of full recipes to any social media site, website, mobile application or service (e.g., copymethat, recipe keeper, pepper) or cookbook, without the requisite attribution or otherwise with express written permission from Jill Selkowitz is strictly prohibited. You may share a photo with a link back instead.

PIN this Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Chicken Fried Quinoa Pressure Cooker

3.3K shares
  • 295

January 21, 2018

About Jill Selkowitz

Hi, I'm Jill. I'm a mom to Tonkinese cats and enjoy sharing restaurant quality meals, easily made at home. With my easy step by step photos and directions, new cooks will be able to follow along and cook like rock stars.

Comments

  1. Matt says

    May 17, 2020 at 5:33 pm

    Left with a lot of liquid after release had to try and boil it off. Eggs didn’t really cook right, they sort of just mixed in and I couldn’t see them after cooked… not sure what happened. Tasted great though!

    Reply
    • Jill Selkowitz says

      May 18, 2020 at 3:21 pm

      Glad you enjoyed, Matt. Jill

      Reply
  2. Deanna says

    January 31, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    So excited to try this! You mention it’s a good recipe for weight watchers. Do you know how many points per serving? Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Georgia says

    December 3, 2018 at 5:04 pm

    Can you use frozen chicken ? Or already cooked chicken ?

    Reply
  4. Maureen says

    February 12, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    Do you know how many carbs this is?

    Reply
  5. Joy Miller says

    February 12, 2018 at 4:48 am

    I just used your link to buy the black soy sauce. Will post a photo to the Facebook page when I make this (soon). I never cooked with quiona before and am really looking forward to this. Thank you for all you do testing and offering your recipes.

    Reply
  6. J Killian says

    February 5, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    5 stars
    While making this I got a bit worried that it wouldn’t be very good. Shouldn’t have worried. My husband and I ate way too much because it was soooo good. I like it better than fried rice. Thanks for the recipe and the tip of using black soy sauce.

    Reply
    • Jill says

      February 6, 2018 at 2:07 am

      Hi J. I love this comment. It’s great when you don’t expect to enjoy something so much. Thanks for sharing. Jill

      Reply
  7. Carol says

    January 31, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    What is 1.75 cups?

    Reply
  8. April says

    January 26, 2018 at 3:32 pm

    And it stuck to the bottom really bad

    Reply
  9. April says

    January 26, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    Pressure cooker would not come to pressure??

    Reply
  10. Monica McFadden says

    January 24, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    5 stars
    Very good recipe. Made in the mini which was a mistake. Jill says this is a 6qt recipe and should be halved for the Mini and is, of course, completely correct. It came to the max line and was difficult to do the final steps due to the fullness of the pot. IMHO, needed the full tsp of chili sauce (I like things spicy) and black soy sauce. I only had sweet and regular soy and think it was a bit too sweet as a result. Next time I will add 1 more egg as I like the eggy parts of fried rice. Thanks, Jill!

    Reply
  11. Shelley says

    January 24, 2018 at 6:31 am

    Wondering how much water to add? Thanks

    Reply
  12. Kristina Anderson says

    January 23, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    I love all the ingredients, esp dumping froze veggies, but hubbie is not a big fan of quinoa.. can I sub rice using this recipes steps? The rice recipe link seems different…

    Reply
  13. Ellen @ Cookware Diary says

    January 22, 2018 at 10:40 am

    5 stars
    Looks unique recipe and yummy also. Will try soon.

    Reply
  14. Eva Langston says

    January 21, 2018 at 3:55 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for all the research you have done! This is amazing and I can’t wait to try it soon. The explanations and photos are so helpful. I am an experience home cook but they are still so good! Guess I am very visual!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      January 21, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Thank you, Eva. I appreciate the kind words. 🙂 Jill

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome To My Kitchen

An image of Jill Selkowitz
Hi, I'm Jill, cooking enthusiast. Here you'll find top chef quality recipes with step by step photos and directions. More About Me

Memorial Day Recipes

Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy…

Choco Spice Layer Cake w/Mocha Frosting

Choco-Spice Layer Cake [Instant Pot]…

Instant Pot BBQ Ranch Chicken

Instant Pot BBQ Ranch Chicken (Pressure…

Fresh Tomato Salad

Instant Pot Fresh Tomato Salad + Video…

Air Fryer

[facetwp facet="air_fryer"]

Instant Pot

[facetwp facet="instant_pot"]

Main

[facetwp facet="main"]

Popular

Instant Pot Greek Yogurt (Thick and…

Instant Pot New York Cheesecake #1 Best…

Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt [Cold Start…

Instant Pot No Knead Bread (Dutch Oven)…

Latest

20+ Superbowl 2024 Instant Pot Party…

Instant Pot Low Carb Wonton Soup [Recipe…

Sesame Garlic Noodles [w/Asian Flair]…

Instant Pot Low Carb UNStuffed Cabbage…

Seasonal

BEST Instant Pot Macaroni Salad Recipe…

Instant Pot Greek Gyros [Beef &…

Sweet Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing and…

Instant Pot Shave Ice Syrup + Video…

Featured on:

About | Contact | Work With Me | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
Copyright ©2025, This Old Gal. All Rights Reserved.
3.3K shares