7 Chicken Recipes for Your Rice Cooker (Kitchen Hack!)

Cutlets, breasts, and bone-in thighs… Can you cook chicken in a rice cooker? YES! You might even be surprised to learn that your large Aroma rice cooker can cook a whole chicken!

These one-pot rice cooker chicken recipes are easy enough for even the most amateur home cooks, and there are multiple methods to try. Plus, you can apply these general steps to a wide range of rice cooker chicken recipes and get creative with new flavor combinations.

Set it and forget it, infuse lots of flavor, and prepare moist, delicious chicken – all with the touch of a button on your rice cooker!

How to Cook Chicken in a Rice Cooker | 3 Ways

Method #1: ONE POT

1. Season chicken with your favorite flavors. A dry rub or seasoning powder works best because it clings to the chicken, not the rice.

2. Add rinsed rice to your Aroma rice cooker and follow the pot’s marked waterlines to add the correct amount of water, just like normal.

3. Add chicken on top of the rice and start your rice cooker using the WHITE RICE mode (or flip the switch, if you have a pot-style rice cooker.)

Method #2: STEAM

1. Season chicken with a wet marinade or sauce, ideally with at least 30 minutes of marinating time before you start cooking.

2. Add rinsed rice to your rice cooker and use the waterlines to measure, like normal. Or, just add water to steam without rice as a side.

3. Place chicken in steamer basket on top or inside of your rice cooker, then start the STEAM mode, WHITE RICE mode, or COOK switch.

Method #3: SAUTÉ

1. Preheat with oil, either by flipping the COOK switch, turning on WHITE RICE mode, or using the STS® mode. Then, sear or sauté on high heat.

2. Stir in aromatics, rice, and optional vegetables to enhance flavors. Then stir until softened, finish seasoning, and add broth or water.

3. Finish cooking by re-starting the WHITE RICE mode or COOK switch. STS® mode auto-adjusts temperature to simmer when broth is added.

FAQ Guide: Cook Chicken in Rice Cooker?

How do you know when chicken is done in a rice cooker?

Visually, all chicken meat should be opaque and springy with juices that run clear. Use a meat thermometer at the thickest part to make sure it’s at least 165°F.

My rice cooker turned off early. How do I make it keep cooking?

Just push the COOK button again or re-select the mode. Also, meat temperature will continue to rise a few degrees after cooking, so it’s a good idea to let it rest on WARM mode for 5 minutes before checking the temperature and serving.

How long does it take to cook chicken in a rice cooker?

Cooking times vary depending on your rice cooker model, amount of rice, and more. But in general, thin chicken cutlets cook in 20 minutes, chicken breasts cook in 35 minutes, bone-in thighs cook in 40 minutes, and a whole 3-pound chicken will cook in 75 minutes.

Can I cook frozen chicken in a rice cooker?

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken in rice cookers, but thawed or partially thawed chicken works best. For frozen cuts, make sure to add more liquid to the pot and just know that it will take at least 10 minutes longer than normal to cook. At the end, always check the internal temperature (165°F) for safety!

If you’re not sure, repeat the cycle and use your best judgment to confirm it’s safely cooked the whole way through.

What chicken cooks fastest in rice cookers?

Thin, lean cuts of chicken will cook the fastest and most evenly, so slice up a chicken breast or choose thin cutlets if you’re in a hurry.

Chicken Recipe: Rice Cooker Round-Up

Aroma has a few delicious, step-by-step recipes to help you get started:

Rice Cooker Steamed Chicken Recipe
with healthy vegetable sides

One-Pot Spicy Chicken and Rice
with zesty cumin, paprika, and chili

Easy Elote Chicken and Rice
with chili lime seasoning in a rice cooker

Golden Curry Chicken Rice
with fresh root vegetables

Quick Rice Cooker Chicken Rice
with umami-rich cremini mushrooms

Rice Cooker Seared Chicken Thighs
with garlic, butter, onion, and peppers

Spatchcocked Rosemary Chicken
with fresh lemon and parsley