Hearty Chicken Soup is the BEST when made in the Instant Pot! It’s easy, fast and soul-warming with little effort on your part.
The past two weeks have been crazy in my world. Both of my kids have had birthdays (a week apart). My husband has been traveling. The kids each have had a virus (of course different viruses and at different times), as it seems most of their classmates have as well.
I thought I avoided whatever they each had, then after a night of only 5 hours sleep I woke up with that familiar feeling; I was getting sick! Ug. Who has time for that?!
Jump to:
Whenever anyone in my house begins to come down with a bug I make chicken soup. Does that make me sound like a Grandmother? Possibly, but there are studies done by reputable medical establishments that lend credence to consumption of chicken soup helping a cold!
When I’m getting sick myself the last thing I want to do is cook. If I was more plan-ful I’d always keep some homemade chicken soup in the freezer for such an occasion.
But guess what? I now have an INSTANT POT which is just as good if not better. I was able to whip up a batch of Instant Pot Hearty Chicken Soup even while feeling miserable (it was so easy).
The Benefits of Hearty Chicken Soup
I always have the ingredients for a basic soup on hand in my kitchen. The holy trinity of vegetables, onion, carrots and celery, is what you need to add dimension to chicken stock in a soup.
When I’m making my chicken soup for a cold I add lots of garlic, ginger, and apple cider vinegar too which have great healing qualities to them. Jalapeno chile peppers too (I think getting a sweat going is a good thing).
I have a conventional recipe I make, War On A Cold Homemade Chicken Soup, which I make a bit differently each time. For that recipe, I use a whole fryer. For this Instant Pot Hearty Chicken Soup I use boneless chicken breasts.
Timesaving TIP alert! They cook with the soup and then are removed, shredded (I have a fantastic trick to shred chicken in about 30 seconds with no mess), returned to the pot.
Another trick I use, especially when I’m under the weather, is instead of hand chopping or slicing all the vegetables I use a 3-cup mini electric chopper.
I throw everything that is going to be cooked together in at the same time; in this case, all the vegetables (I sliced the jalapeno but you can put that in there too). Give a whirl and with no effort, all your vegetables are prepared.
How to make Instant Pot Hearty Chicken Soup
I was able to prepare everything and sauté the vegetables in less than 5 minutes. I set the soup up, using the SOUP setting, lay down and within 30 minutes it was ready and I kept it warm in the Instant Pot all day.
You don’t have to be sick to enjoy this hearty chicken soup certainly. You can also change up the flavors easily by adding herbs, putting in some potatoes at the end (or noodles or rice) and cooking for a few extra minutes.
It’s a perfect base soup and very comforting on its own too.
Homemade chicken soup is always soothing. Between the familiar aroma and the comforting taste, it warms any day. It is something I make whenever a family member is coming down with a cold.
Making it in the Instant Pot with a few tricks makes it effortless. Freeze any excess in a freezer-safe container leaving an inch at the top for expansion when frozen.
How to make the Instant Pot Hearty Chicken Soup – Step by Step:
All recipe steps are done in the Instant Pot making clean up a breeze! Using the saute function, the onions, carrots, celery, jalapeno peppers and garlic are cooked for about 3 minutes. The remaining ingredients are added to the Instant Pot and cooked using the SOUP setting to develop wonderful flavors!
When done, the chicken is shredded with forks or using this trick and added back to the soup. Salt and pepper to taste and serve!
Mind-Blowing Instant Pot Tips You Need to Know!
After developing Instant Pot recipes for the past few years, I’ve uncovered some unexpected, useful tips I think you’ll want to know!
Sign-Up below and I’ll tell you all my Instant Pot secrets!
More soul-warming Soup Recipes You’ll Love:
- Peppery Sausage White Bean Kale Soup
- Skinny Chicken and Sweet Potato Noodle Soup
- Slow Cooker Lemon-Ginger Sipping Broth
Recipe
Instant Pot Hearty Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 medium Carrots , peeled and chopped or sliced
- 2 medium Celery Stalks , trimmed, scrubbed and chopped or sliced (include some celery leaves too)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion , peeled and chopped
- 5 Garlic Cloves , peeled and diced
- 1 Jalapeno Chile Pepper , seeded and sliced
- Kosher Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper , to taste
- 1 tablespoon peeled and diced Ginger Root
- 2 quarts Chicken Stock (regular or low sodium, or a mix)
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 6 qt Instant Pot
Instructions
- Select SAUTE on the Instant Pot and add the olive oil. When the oil has heated add the carrots, celery, onions, garlic, jalapeno and ginger. Saute until the onions begin to turn translucent (about 3 minutes).
- Add the chicken stock, water, apple cider vinegar and chicken breasts. Close/secure the lid, set release valve to SEALING and select the SOUP setting. When the soup cycle is done, release the pressure and remove the chicken breasts with tongs. Use this quick trick to shred the chicken in 30 seconds with no mess or by pulling apart the chicken with forks. Add the shredded chicken back to the soup, salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Dawn McAlexander says
I love a good soup. This one looks tasty. I could really get into this recipe. I need to try it.
gingermommyrants says
I love my Instant Pot. I am excited to try this chicken soup. It is the perfect weather for it.
Claudia Krusch says
I need to get myself a Instant Pot. There are so many great recipes to make with it. I would love a bowl of hot chicken soup right now
Janis @MommyBlogExpert says
Chicken soup is one of my favorite things about the cold winter months. And your homemade recipe looks equally healthy and mouthwatering, perfect for a chilly winter lunch or dinner.
Tara says
I don’t have an Instant Pot but I am seeing all of these great recipes that I want to try. Your soup looks so delicious.
Stacie says
I love using my Instant Pot. It is so quick. We do enjoy our chicken soup here.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I have never even cooked with a crockpot and now there’s an ‘instant pot’? Anything that speeds up the process in the kitchen sounds good to me, and a great chicken soup is great for Fall/Winter
Toni Dash says
I never thought I’d say this Tracy but bypass the slow cooker and go for the Instant Pot. It has a slow cooker function! It has 7 cooking methods. So many easy, fast, healthy recipes!
Liz Mays says
Those Instant pots are seriously awesome for making meal prep easier. I have to use mine more. This chicken soup looks great!
Monica says
I’m always in search of a better chicken soup recipe and this one looks like perfection!
Toni Dash says
I’m so glad you like it Monica!
Cacinda says
Homemade soup is one of my favorite meals (to eat not to make). I hate how long it takes to prepare – I need an instant pot!