Busy nights call for easy solutions, especially when it comes to making dinner. Those who get home late from a long day of work know that Instant Pot meals are the best way to eat a nutritious dinner without sacrificing time. Not only are they great for when you’re in a time crunch, but they’re also excellent for weight loss. When comprised of the right stuff, a pressure cooker meal can help boost your metabolism and deliver fat-burning ingredients to kickstart your fat loss efforts.
Need some kitchen inspiration? Here are six healthy Instant Pot recipes that will help you get on the right track with your weight loss efforts:
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Instant Pot Lemon Chicken w/ Garlic
This low-fat and keto-friendly recipe combines metabolism-boosting ingredients like lemon, paprika, and garlic to make a delicious, savory meal. Plus, it's high in protein, too!
Ingredients:
6-8 boneless chicken thighs skinless or with skin
sea salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes optional or to taste
2 Tablespoons olive oil
3 Tablespoons butter (swap with olive oil for paleo)
1/2 small onion chopped
4 garlic cloves sliced or minced
Juice of 1 lemon
2-4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
zest of half a lemon
1/3 cup homemade or low sodium chicken broth
2 Tablespoons heavy cream (leave out for paleo)
**chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish if desired
Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili
Loaded with healthy vegetables like squash and kale, this soup is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Ground turkey is also one of the best foods for weight loss because of how lean it is.
Ingredients:
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
1 lb ground turkey
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 5 cups)
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 – 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 – 14 oz can light coconut milk
1/2 cup dried red lentils, rinsed
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2-3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1-2 cups chopped kale or spinach
**chopped cilantro and sliced green onions, for garnish
**cooked brown rice or quinoa (optional)
Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Bowls
This chipotle chicken bowl recipe is easy to make and requires two high-protein ingredients: quinoa and chicken. You can meal prep it ahead of time in your instant pot and eat it for lunch all week.
Ingredients:
For the chipotle chicken:
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chipotle paste
1 cup prepared mild salsa
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 ears corn, husks removed
For the quinoa:
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 lime, juiced
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
For the bowls:
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
4 oz (1 small) haas avocado, sliced
4 lime wedges
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Thinking about eating out for dinner? These tasty Mexican stuffed sweet potatoes will make you change your mind. This easy recipe calls for anti-inflammatory ingredients like sweet potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, and more, helping you satisfy your cravings while also giving your metabolism a boost.
Ingredients:
4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
1 1/2 cups water
2 chicken breasts
1 10-oz. can tomatoes with green chiles, undrained, any variety
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 avocado, peeled and seeded
1 jalapeño, stemmed
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup water
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup
Tomatoes are loaded with anti-inflammatory goodness and this low-calorie soup will give your metabolism the boost it needs to burn calories fast.
Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
3 carrots, chopped
15 oz can tomato sauce
15 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes extra as desired
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup vegetable broth
1 tbsp dried basil or to taste
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar optional*
1/4 tsp oregano
3 oz cream cheese or heavy cream (add to taste)
**salt and pepper to taste
Instant Pot Lemon-Vegetable Risotto
This simple and flavorful recipe makes for the perfect meal when you don't feel like cooking. It's loaded with healthy anti-inflammatory veggies like broccoli, asparagus, and spinach and the lemon will kick-start your metabolism.
Ingredients:
1 bunch asparagus, sliced thin
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup fresh peas or snap peas
2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 cup leek, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
4 cups vegetable broth
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup spinach
1/2 bunch chives, sliced thin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, more to taste
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice, more to taste
