Instant Pot Chicken Quinoa Congee

This chicken quinoa congee recipe is a healthy spin on the traditional Chinese congee (also known as Jook). Congee is an ancient traditional porridge made from white rice cooked with lots of water or chicken stock. The rice essentially slow-cooks until it breaks down forming a starchy thick porridge.  Congee is considered a comfort food as it's made with simple wholesome ingredients that can be easily digested. When you're sick or your stomach is upset congee is an automatic go-to remedy - think of it as Asian "chicken soup".

Apart from water and white rice, there isn't much to congee other than what you add into it for flavor, and it's not an especially nutrient-rich dish. We decided to make a healthier version of this classic dish using a mixture of long-grain brown rice and quinoa.

Using the brown rice maintains the taste, texture, and consistency of the standard white-rice congee but is higher in fiber, protein, and nutrients. Quinoa while not a typical ingredient in traditional congee, adds another element to the texture and consistency of this dish.  Health-wise quinoa is a fantastic addition to this congee recipe. Similar to brown rice, quinoa is high in fiber and protein but is also a good source of iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and selenium.  This edible seed has a very mild taste and can absorb the flavor of whatever it's cooked with making it a perfect companion to the brown rice.

Traditional congee is made by slow-cooking the rice for a long time until the grain breaks down resulting in the thick starchy consistency. Depending on the batch size, this can sometimes take a few hours using a stockpot on the stove and requires constant monitoring and stirring so that the rice doesn't burn on the bottom of the pot. It's often considered a laborious and time-consuming dish to make. With the introduction of one-pot pressure cookers like the Instant Pot Duo or Ninja Foodi, a large pot of this rich and hearty congee can now be made in just 30 minutes! It's a fast, easy, walk-away meal you can prep in large amounts to be enjoyed by the whole family. It also reheats well and is a great meal prep option to be enjoyed later in the week.

What's so great about this congee recipe is its versatility. The brown rice and quinoa act as a simple base and there are so many flavor variations you can add to it. Use chicken, turkey, or pork for flavor, then shred the meat and mix it into the congee or serve on top as garnish. Add in some vegetables like peas, carrots or corn for added color and texture. Season with soy sauce, white pepper, sesame oil, and hot sauce to suit your tastes. Throw in some peanuts or cashews for added crunch and garnish with green onions. There really is no limit to the combinations you can make with this simple yet healthy and wholesome congee recipe.  Try this recipe and it's sure to be a dish your family with love.