Start by lightly coating the inside of your 6-quart Instant Pot with cooking spray or oil. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier—always a win when kids are involved. Pat your three chicken breasts dry with paper towels; moisture on the surface prevents proper browning (though we're not browning in this recipe, dry chicken absorbs seasonings better). Generously season both sides of each breast with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. This is where your 10-year-old can take the lead—they're learning proper seasoning technique. Remind them that salt enhances natural flavors rather than making food taste salty. Set the seasoned chicken aside on a clean plate while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Place your uncooked rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cool running water, stirring gently with your fingers. Continue rinsing until the water runs completely clear—usually 3-4 minutes. This removes excess starch that would otherwise create gummy rice. This step is non-negotiable for perfect texture. This is perfect for younger kids (ages 6+) to handle with supervision. They'll feel like they're doing something important, and they are. Set the rinsed rice aside in a small bowl.

This step is where precision matters. The Instant Pot cooks by steam pressure, and ingredient placement affects how everything cooks. Start with the sliced mushrooms on the bottom of your prepared pot—spread them in an even layer. Add your chopped onion next, scattering it over the mushrooms. Now add your rinsed rice, creating an even layer. Do not mix ingredients at this stage. The layering technique ensures each component cooks perfectly and that the rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Place your three seasoned chicken breasts directly on top of the rice layer, positioning them so they don't overlap if possible. Pour the chicken broth carefully over the chicken breasts, letting it distribute throughout the rice layer below. The liquid should come about halfway up the chicken. Now comes the most important step: spread the condensed cream of mushroom soup over the top of the chicken breasts in an even layer. Do not stir. Stirring now will disrupt the layers and prevent proper cooking.

Close the lid of your Instant Pot and set the valve to "sealing." Select the MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK button (depending on your Instant Pot model) and set it for HIGH PRESSURE for 10 minutes. Your pot will now spend approximately 15 minutes coming to pressure before the 10-minute cooking cycle begins. This total time is roughly 25 minutes from button push to completion. This is a perfect time to involve older kids in understanding how pressure cookers work. Explain that the sealed environment traps steam, raising the temperature above boiling, which cooks everything faster and more evenly. It's science in action on your kitchen counter.

When the cooking cycle finishes, your Instant Pot will beep. Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes—do not force-release immediately. Natural release means steam gradually escapes and carries flavors back into the food. This results in more tender chicken and better-integrated sauce. After 10 minutes of natural release, if there's remaining steam pressure, carefully turn the valve to "venting" to release any remaining pressure. Wait until the float valve drops completely before opening the lid. Never force open an Instant Pot under pressure.

Open the pot and carefully remove the chicken breasts using tongs or a slotted spoon. Place them on a cutting board. Now stir the rice and mushroom mixture thoroughly, combining the rice, onion, mushrooms, and cream sauce. The rice should have absorbed most of the liquid and should be tender and creamy. Shred or cube the chicken (your choice—shredding creates a more integrated dish, while cubes offer texture variation) and return it to the pot. Stir everything together gently, ensuring the chicken is evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. The condensed soup contributes sodium, so taste before adding more. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of crispy fried onions—the garnish adds visual appeal and encourages kids to eat because it "looks fancy."