Nourishing Comfort in Minutes: Your Go-To Instant Pot Chicken Soup Recipe

There’s something inherently comforting about a warm bowl of chicken soup. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a hug in liquid form, a culinary remedy for everything from a gloomy day to a lingering cold. In my world, chicken soup isn’t just a dish; it’s an institution, a trusted friend that offers solace and reassurance. Knowing that you’re nourishing your body with wholesome ingredients, even during challenging times, provides an invaluable sense of well-being. For those of us navigating the often-tricky waters of weight management, discovering a recipe that delivers both profound comfort and exceptional flavor without derailing our goals is nothing short of a culinary triumph.

This Instant Pot chicken soup is a modern twist on a timeless classic. While traditional recipes often feature an abundance of noodles or potatoes, my version offers a lighter, vegetable-forward approach. We swap out heavy starches for crisp celery and vibrant green beans, creating a soup that’s equally soothing yet remarkably fresh and invigorating. While you certainly can take the extra step to sear the chicken for added depth, this recipe is meticulously designed for maximum convenience. It’s for those bustling days when you simply need to toss all your ingredients into the Instant Pot and emerge with a profoundly delicious, soul-warming soup in a mere half-hour. This recipe ensures that comfort, health, and speed can coexist beautifully in your kitchen.

Why This Instant Pot Chicken Soup Will Become Your Favorite:

1. Ultimate Comfort Food: When life throws you a curveball or you’re simply feeling under the weather, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade chicken soup to lift your spirits. This recipe captures that quintessential comfort, blending tender chicken with fresh vegetables in a savory broth, making it the perfect antidote to a blue mood or a sniffly nose. The Instant Pot helps infuse all the flavors deeply, creating a richer, more satisfying broth that truly soothes from the inside out.
2. Healthy, Delicious, and Lightning-Fast: Forget bland, time-consuming meals. This wholesome chicken soup is packed with lean protein and an array of nutritious vegetables, making it an incredibly smart choice for your health. What’s even better? It’s ready in approximately 25 minutes of active cooking time, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. This makes it an ideal solution for busy weeknights when you crave a homemade, flavorful meal but are short on time.
3. Weight Watchers Friendly and Guilt-Free: For those mindful of their dietary intake, this soup is a game-changer. Remarkably, each serving comes in at a mere 4 Weight Watchers points, making it an excellent option for staying on track with your health and fitness goals. It proves that eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or the joy of a comforting meal. Enjoy a hearty, satisfying bowl without any guilt, knowing you’re making a wise choice for your body.

Yield: This recipe generously serves approximately 6 individuals, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.

Preparation Time: With efficient chopping and dicing, you’ll have all your ingredients prepped in just 15 minutes.

Cooking Time: The Instant Pot works its magic in a quick 10 minutes of pressure cooking, plus additional time for the pot to come to pressure and for a natural release.

Essential Ingredients for Your Instant Pot Chicken Soup:

Gathering fresh, high-quality ingredients is the first step to a truly delicious soup. Each component plays a vital role in building the rich, comforting flavor profile of this Instant Pot chicken soup. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 4 cups (946 ml) low-sodium chicken broth, forming the flavorful base of your soup.
• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
• 1 red bell pepper, diced, adding a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
• 1 cup (125 g) fresh or frozen green beans, chopped, for a delightful crunch and extra greens.
• 2 celery stalks, sliced, contributing classic aromatic notes and texture.
• 1 medium potato (approximately 170 g), peeled and diced, providing a subtle, comforting creaminess.
• 1 white onion, finely chopped, forming the aromatic foundation of the soup.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced, for an essential layer of pungent flavor.
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil (e.g., olive oil or avocado oil) for sautéing.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, to season and enhance all the flavors.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Instant Pot Chicken Soup:

Creating this delicious and healthy Instant Pot chicken soup is remarkably straightforward. Follow these steps to achieve a perfect, comforting bowl every time, ensuring maximum flavor with minimal effort.

1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by thoroughly washing all your vegetables. Peel the potato and onion. Proceed to chop all the vegetables according to the specified measurements – precise chopping ensures even cooking and consistent texture in your soup. Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into uniform, bite-sized cubes. This consistency in size is crucial for quick and even cooking under pressure, preventing some pieces from becoming overcooked while others remain undercooked.

2. Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Turn on your Instant Pot and select the “Sauté” mode. Once the pot is hot, add the teaspoon of cooking oil. Add the finely chopped white onions and sauté them until they become translucent and softened, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. This step is vital as it builds the flavor base for your soup. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it burn. Finally, incorporate the diced red bell pepper, sliced celery, and chopped green beans into the pot. Sauté these vegetables for an additional 2-3 minutes to slightly soften them and enhance their natural flavors before pressure cooking.

3. Brown the Chicken and Add Potatoes: Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the Instant Pot. Place the cubed chicken breasts into the pot, spreading them out as much as possible. Sauté the chicken until it’s lightly browned on all sides. This browning step (Maillard reaction) adds a significant depth of flavor to the chicken and the overall soup. Once the chicken has a slight sear, add the diced potatoes to the mix, gently stirring them in with the chicken and other vegetables.

4. Season and Deglaze: Season the mixture generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember that flavors intensify under pressure, so start with a moderate amount and adjust later if needed. Now, carefully pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot. Use a wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pot, ensuring all browned bits from the sautéing process are lifted. This deglazing step is crucial for preventing a “Burn” error and incorporates all those delicious caramelized flavors into your broth.

5. Pressure Cook and Release: Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the sealing vent is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) setting and set the cooking time to 10 minutes on high pressure. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to perform a natural pressure release (NPR) for 10 minutes. This allows the pressure to drop gradually, ensuring the chicken remains tender and prevents foam from escaping through the vent. After 10 minutes, carefully move the sealing vent to the “Venting” position to release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, unlock and remove the lid away from your face.

6. Serve and Garnish: Give the soup a gentle stir to combine all the ingredients. Ladle the hot Instant Pot chicken soup into individual bowls, ensuring each serving has a delightful balance of tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and flavorful broth. For an extra touch of freshness and brightness, consider garnishing with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving can also elevate the flavors beautifully. Serve immediately and savor the deeply comforting goodness you’ve created.

Creative Variations and Simple Substitutions:

This Instant Pot chicken soup recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing you to customize it to your taste or dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these ideas to make it your own.

1. Herb Infusion: Elevate the aromatic profile of your soup by experimenting with different fresh or dried herbs. While parsley is a classic choice, consider adding a tablespoon of fresh cilantro for a bright, zesty note, or a sprig of fresh thyme during the pressure cooking phase for an earthy aroma. My personal favorite, a sprinkle of fresh mint leaves just before serving, adds an unexpected, refreshing twist that truly brightens the entire dish.
2. Onion Enhancements: The white onion forms an excellent base, but you can certainly play with other members of the allium family. If you’re looking for a milder, slightly sweeter onion flavor, try substituting the white onion with finely chopped leeks. For a pop of color and a fresh, subtle onion kick, particularly as a garnish, finely sliced scallions are a fantastic choice, adding both flavor and visual appeal.
3. Weight Watchers Twist and Indulgent Additions: To make this soup a 0-point Weight Watchers version (when accounting for points from other ingredients), simply omit the potato and replace it with an equal amount of cauliflower florets. Cauliflower provides bulk and a similar texture without the added points. If you’re in the mood for a heartier, more indulgent soup, feel free to add a handful of your favorite noodles (egg noodles or small pasta shapes work well) during the natural release phase, or stir in a sprinkle of cooked rice just before serving for extra substance.
4. Vegetable Medley: Don’t limit yourself to the suggested vegetables! Feel free to add other quick-cooking options like sliced mushrooms, spinach (stirred in after pressure cooking), or even frozen mixed vegetables for an easy boost of nutrients and flavor.
5. Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added during the sautéing stage can give the soup a subtle warmth. A dash of cayenne pepper can provide a more pronounced kick.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Instant Pot Chicken Soup:

Mastering your Instant Pot for soup making can save you time and consistently yield delicious results. Here are some invaluable tips and tricks to ensure your chicken soup turns out perfect every time, full of rich flavor and ideal texture.

1. For a Clearer, Richer Broth: While the recipe is designed for ease, for an exceptionally clear and deeply flavorful broth, consider an optional step: searing your chicken and vegetables separately in a hot pan with a teaspoon of oil before adding them to the Instant Pot. This extra step helps develop a beautiful crust on the chicken and caramelizes the vegetables, leading to a more complex and clearer soup base. If you choose to sear directly in the Instant Pot on “Sauté” mode, ensure you deglaze thoroughly after browning.
2. Optimize Cooking Time with Smaller Pieces: The Instant Pot excels at fast cooking, and you can further optimize this by dicing your potatoes, carrots (if adding), and even the chicken into smaller, more uniform pieces. Smaller pieces cook more quickly and evenly under pressure, ensuring all ingredients reach the desired tenderness simultaneously. This also makes for a more pleasant eating experience, as every spoonful will have a balanced mix of ingredients.
3. Mind Your Seasoning – Especially Salt: Broths often come pre-seasoned, so it’s crucial to taste your soup *after* it’s fully cooked and depressurized before adding more salt. Remember that flavors, especially salt, tend to intensify during pressure cooking. Starting with a moderate amount and adjusting at the end allows you to achieve the perfect balance without making your soup too salty. A dash of lemon juice or a splash of white wine vinegar at the end can also brighten the flavors and make the soup taste less “flat” without needing extra salt.
4. Don’t Skip the Natural Release: The 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR) is not just for safety; it’s essential for the soup’s quality. It allows the pressure to drop slowly, preventing the chicken from becoming tough or stringy and ensuring the broth remains clear. A quick release immediately after cooking can agitate the contents, potentially making the chicken less tender and the broth cloudier.
5. Make Ahead and Freeze: Instant Pot chicken soup is fantastic for meal prepping! Once cooled, transfer the soup to airtight containers, leaving a little headspace if freezing. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then gently warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of extra broth or water if needed to adjust consistency.
6. Boost Nutrition with Greens: For an extra health boost, stir in a handful of fresh spinach or kale after the pressure cooking cycle, just as you remove the lid. The residual heat from the soup will perfectly wilt the greens, adding nutrients and vibrant color without overcooking them.

Remember to savor the comforting simplicity of this Instant Pot Chicken Soup. It’s a genuine, wholesome meal that delivers on its promise of deliciousness and ease, perfect for any occasion without needing to rely on exaggerated claims. Enjoy every single comforting spoonful!

More Comforting & Healthy Soup Recipes

If you loved this Instant Pot Chicken Soup, here are a couple of other delicious and wholesome soup recipes that are sure to become family favorites. Explore more comforting options for your Instant Pot!

This Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Is Simple And Delicious

This Chicken and Barley Soup Is A Warm Hug On A Cold Day

Weight Watchers (WW) Points Breakdown:

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Weight Watchers points for the individual ingredients in this comforting Instant Pot Chicken Soup, based on typical SmartPoints values. Please note that point values can vary slightly based on specific brands and updates to the WW program.

Chicken broth: 1 point (ensure it’s low-sodium for best results)
Uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast: 0 points (a fantastic lean protein source)
Onion: 0 points (adds flavor without adding points)
Garlic: 0 points (a flavor powerhouse)
Vegetable oil: 2 points (for 1 teaspoon, crucial for sautéing)
Bell pepper: 0 points (adds sweetness and vitamins)
Table salt: 0 points (season to taste)
Frozen green beans: 0 points (convenient and nutritious)
Black pepper: 0 points (essential seasoning)
Celery: 0 points (adds crunch and freshness)
Uncooked potato: 4 points (the primary contributor of points in this recipe)