Thai Quinoa, Chicken, and Veggies

Inspired by the success of my pressure cooker turkey casserole, I was sitting at work this afternoon and thinking that I'd like something similar, but with Thai flavors, ground chicken, different vegetables...once I put it all together, I realized it was basically a completely different recipe that shared a cooking method, so I figured I'd post it here for future reference.

Thai Quinoa, Chicken, and Veggies

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 pound ground chicken breast 
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1-2 carrots, chopped
• 1-2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 cup plus 1 Tablespoon water
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 Tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
• Chili garlic paste, to taste

Directions:

1. Melt coconut oil and saute chicken in pressure cooker over medium heat until slightly browned.  Add onion and cook, stirring ocassionally, until translucent.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix sugar, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of water.  Adjust proportions to your taste.
3. Add vegetables, quinoa, coconut milk, remaining water, and sauce.  Stir to mix everything together, then close pressure cooker and bring to high pressure.
4. Reduce heat to maintain pressure and cook for 4 minutes at high pressure.
5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.  Release any remaining pressure and remove lid.
6. Stir in chili garlic paste.  If mixture is still a little soupy, let sit for 5-10 minutes so quinoa can absorb more liquid.
7. Serve and enjoy! 

Notes:
I might try lime juice in place of the rice vinegar next time for a slightly different variety, but this was pretty darn good.  

Comments

[Mjsee]

Is a pressure cooker truly necessary? Or is there an alternative way to cook this? I don't have a pressure cooker...

[jkelber]

Pressure cooker isn't necessary, it's just more efficient. In a regular pot, cook it the same way, add everything, bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork, and serve.