This simple and easy recipe for Chicken Congee is made in the Instant Pot. Chinese chicken congee is a comforting, light rice porridge dish made with rice, broth and tender chicken.
What is congee?
Congee is a type of porridge made with rice that is eaten in many Asian countries with variations,.
In Cantonese, it is known as "jook" or "juk."
Rice is cooked with water or broth, which results in a softened porridge-like texture.
Congee can be served with many different ingredients, such as bamboo shoots, tofu, offal, duck eggs, and condiments.
Other congee recipes
Preserved Century Egg Pork Congee
What is the texture of congee?
Depending on the region, the consistency of congee can vary in texture from thick like oatmeal to watery/soupy.
Why you'll love this recipe
This recipe for Chicken Congee is really simple to make, especially using a pressure cooker (Instant Pot).
Using a pressure cooker cuts down on the overall cooking time, and cooks the chicken and grain of rice together to a perfect consistency.
This recipe yields a light and clean flavoured congee, with minimal ingredients.
It's a comforting dish for children, elderly, or those feeling under the weather.
Ingredients you'll need
- uncooked white jasmine rice: rinsed and drained; you can use any uncooked long-grain rice; don't use sushi rice or glutinous sticky rice for this dish
- chicken stock/broth: adds and enhances that chicken flavor in the congee; if you don't have chicken broth, you can just use water or even vegetable broth
- water: use more or less depending on the consistency you like
- garlic: minced
- ginger: sliced into coins
- chicken breast: fresh or frozen; preferably with bone, which will even more flavor
- sea salt: or to your taste; you can use soy sauce, however that will change the colour of the congee
- white pepper: or black pepper, to your taste
Garnish:
- sesame oil: adds aroma and flavour to the final dish
- green onions/scallions/spring onions: chopped
- ginger: thinly sliced
- Chinese long donut: also known as youtiao which is a fried dough shaped into long sticks; cut into pieces
- fried shallots
- chili oil
How to make it
Place all the ingredients into the Instant Pot.
Set to PORRIDGE or MANUAL, 25 minutes at HIGH PRESSURE.
Let the vent naturally release.
Remove chicken breast and shred with a fork or dice with a knife before returning to the pot.
Give everything a stir and adjust seasoning to taste.
If the congee is too thick, add a splash of hot boiled water to thin it out.
If the congee is too thin, press the SAUTE button and cook for 1-2 minutes, until thickened to your preference.
How to serve
Ladle into bowls and garnish with a drizzle of sesame oil, green onions, ginger, fried shallot, and Chinese long donut.
Optional garnishes
You can really add anything to your chicken congee.
Try adding:
- fried or boiled eggs, or try these Mayak Eggs (Korean-Style Marinated Eggs)
- chili oil
- pork floss
- century egg (preserved duck egg)
- Chinese long donut (yiaotiou)
- fried shallot
- chopped cilantro
How to store congee
Store cooled Chicken Congee in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
You can freeze congee in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.
How to reheat congee
As congee will absorb water over time, it may appear gloopy and thick.
Adding a little water (depending on how much congee you have) will help loosen it up.
If you're heating up one bowl of congee, add 1-2 tablespoon of water.
For a larger quantity of congee, add anywhere between ¼ C- ½ C additional water.
Tip: use hot boiling water to help speed up the reheating process.
Stovetop:
Pour the congee into a small saucepot and add a splash of hot water to loosen.
Heat over medium-low heat, until the congee is warmed through.
Note: be careful of the congee splattering.
Microwave:
Alternatively, place the congee into a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of hot water and cover.
Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, until heated through.
Expert tips
It's best to let the vent naturally release, as the congee will splatter through the vent if manually released.
How to make chicken congee for baby?
If making congee for a baby, omit the spices and the salt and pepper.
Ensure the chicken is pureed finely.
Can I have congee while sick?
Congee is a staple food for those who are ill.
Tip: Avoid adding too many toppings to the congee (such as fried donut, chili oil), and treat it more like a neutral soup.
How to make congee in a pot?
You can make the congee in a pot over the stove.
Use a large pot, add all the ingredients, cover and bring to a boil.
Lower to a simmer over medium-low heat for 30-45 minutes, stirring intermittently so the bottom doesn't stick.
You may need to add more water during the cooking process, depending on the evaporation rate.
Other comforting recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these recipes:
Preserved Century Egg Pork Congee
Chinese "Swiss" Chicken Wings (Instant Pot)
Instant Pot Vietnamese Chicken Pho (Pho Ga)
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Instant Pot Chicken Congee
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 1 C uncooked long-grain white jasmine rice rinsed and drained
- 4 C chicken broth or sub with water or vegetable broth
- 2 C water or more if you prefer a thinner consistency
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½" piece ginger sliced into coins
- 1 chicken breast fresh or frozen
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or to your taste
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
Garnish:
- sesame oil
- green onions chopped
- ginger thinly sliced
- Chinese long donut
- fried shallot
- chili oil
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into the Instant Pot.
- Set to PORRIDGE or MANUAL, 25 minutes at HIGH PRESSURE.
- Let the vent naturally release.
- Remove chicken breast and shred with a fork or dice with a knife before returning to the pot.
- Give everything a stir and adjust seasoning to taste.
- If the congee is too thick, add a splash of hot boiled water to thin it out.
- If the congee is too thin, press the SAUTE button and cook for 1-2 minutes, until thickened to your preference.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with a drizzle of sesame oil, green onions, ginger, fried shallot, and Chinese long donut.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Ksenia
I love congee, but most congee I see in restaurants is with pork, which I don’t eat. I was so excited to try your recipe, which struck the perfect balance between comfort food and familiar Chinese flavors!
Heidi
This was delicious and so easy to make in the instant pot! I added some cilantro to the top and it was great to have while I had a cold.
Michelle
Hope you're feeling better, Heidi -- thanks for trying the recipe. Cilantro is a great addition to the congee.
Mandy Applegate
I added a fried egg as you suggested and it was so good! It’s not often that every bowl on the table is cleared!
Michelle
Thanks for your comment, Mandy! Adding an egg definitely helps to make the congee feel like a complete meal 🙂