Hearty & Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures dip, there’s nothing quite as comforting and satisfying as a warm, hearty bowl of soup. This **Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup** is the quintessential dish for cooler weather, designed to nourish your body and soul with every spoonful. Imagine succulent, juicy chicken pieces, perfectly cooked tender white rice, and a medley of wholesome vegetables, all bathed in a flavorful broth. The best part? It all comes together effortlessly in your Instant Pot, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, deeply satisfying meal with minimal fuss.
Why This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe is a Must-Try
- Nourishing, Flavorful, and Incredibly Filling. This Instant Pot chicken and rice soup is more than just a meal; it’s a complete culinary experience. It boasts a thick, creamy texture that surprisingly contains no dairy, thanks to the natural starches released from the rice as it cooks under pressure. This creates a luxurious mouthfeel that’s both indulgent and wholesome. Each spoonful delivers a symphony of flavors and textures—from the tender chicken and fluffy rice to the crisp-tender vegetables—making it a truly satisfying dinner for the entire family. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making it an excellent choice for a balanced and energizing meal.
- Effortless One-Pot Wonder with Your Instant Pot. The true magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Every single component, from start to finish, is cooked right in your Instant Pot. This means less cleanup and a streamlined cooking process. You’ll brown the chicken for maximum flavor, sauté the aromatic vegetables to perfection, and then cook the uncooked rice directly in the pressure cooker until it’s wonderfully tender and fluffy. The Instant Pot handles all the heavy lifting, allowing you to achieve gourmet-level results with the ease of a weeknight meal. It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it solution for busy evenings.
- Customizable to Your Liking. While the base recipe is fantastic as is, it also serves as a perfect canvas for customization. Easily adjust the seasonings to your preference, add extra vegetables, or even swap out the type of rice. It’s a versatile recipe that adapts beautifully to different dietary needs and flavor profiles, ensuring that everyone at your table will find something to love.
- Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers. This soup tastes even better the next day! Its robust flavors deepen overnight, making it an ideal candidate for meal prepping. Prepare a large batch at the beginning of the week, and enjoy wholesome, delicious lunches or quick dinners whenever hunger strikes. It reheats beautifully, providing comforting warmth whenever you need it most.
Chef’s Pro Tips for the Best Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
- Forgot to Thaw the Chicken? No Problem! Life happens, and sometimes you forget to take the chicken out of the freezer. Don’t worry, your Instant Pot chicken and rice soup can still be saved! You can indeed use frozen chicken breasts directly in this recipe. Simply skip the initial browning step (Step 1 of the instructions below) and add the frozen chicken breasts whole along with the rice and broth in Step 5. You may need to increase the cook time by an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure the chicken is thoroughly cooked through. After the pressure is released, carefully remove the chicken, shred it using two forks or chop it on a cutting board, and then return it to the soup. This trick saves time and ensures a delicious meal even on the busiest days.
- A Brightening Squeeze of Lemon Juice. For an unexpected burst of freshness that truly elevates the flavors, try adding a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice to your soup once the pressure has been released. The acidity from the lemon cuts through the richness of the soup, brightening every ingredient and adding a vibrant, zesty finish. While totally optional, it’s a chef’s secret that we highly recommend trying! Alternatively, a splash of apple cider vinegar can also provide a similar, delightful tang.
- Personalize Your Seasoning Blend. The seasoning in this Instant Pot chicken and rice soup is intentionally simple—just salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme—allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. However, this is your kitchen, so feel free to experiment and make it truly your own! Consider adding other warm spices such as a pinch of smoked paprika for depth, a touch of cumin for an earthy note, or even a bay leaf during the pressure cooking phase for a subtle background aroma. Italian seasoning, dried oregano, or a dash of cayenne pepper for a little heat can also transform the profile. Taste as you go and adjust to your family’s preferences!
- Enhance the Vegetable Medley. The classic mirepoix of celery, carrots, and onion forms a fantastic flavor base, but don’t limit yourself! For added nutrition and texture, consider tossing in a handful of frozen peas or corn during the last few minutes of cooking, after the pressure has been released. Fresh spinach or kale can also be stirred in at the end, wilting beautifully into the hot soup. Diced potatoes or bell peppers can be added along with the other vegetables for extra heartiness.
- Achieving Your Preferred Consistency. This soup naturally thickens thanks to the rice. If you prefer an even thicker, creamier consistency, you can scoop out about 1-2 cups of the finished soup (including some rice and veggies), blend it until smooth with an immersion blender or in a regular blender, and then stir it back into the pot. This creates a velvety texture without adding any additional thickeners. If you desire a thinner soup, simply add more chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Discover More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes
If you love the convenience and incredible results of cooking with your Instant Pot, you’re in for a treat! We’ve curated a collection of our favorite Instant Pot recipes that are just as easy and flavorful as this chicken and rice soup. From savory dips to comforting main courses, your pressure cooker can do it all. Expand your culinary repertoire with these fantastic pressure cooker creations:
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Instant Pot Cornbread
- Japanese Curry in the Instant Pot
- Dreamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Instant Pot Lasagna
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For more delicious recipes, visit our sister sites, 40 Aprons and Easy Cheap Recipes.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
Cheryl Malik
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Ingredients
Gathering fresh, high-quality ingredients is key to making a truly outstanding Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup. Each component plays a vital role in building the comforting flavor profile:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing and flavor base)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (for lean, tender protein; chicken thighs can also be used for richer flavor)
- salt to taste (essential for seasoning every layer of flavor)
- pepper to taste (freshly ground black pepper adds the best aroma)
- 1 stalks celery sliced (for aromatic foundation and a slight crunch)
- 2 carrots sliced into coins (for sweetness, color, and essential nutrients)
- 1 medium onion diced (the base of any good soup, providing depth of flavor)
- 4 cloves garlic minced (for pungent aroma and deliciousness)
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped (adds a wonderful, earthy aroma that pairs perfectly with chicken)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped (another classic herb that complements the chicken and vegetables beautifully)
- ¾ cup uncooked long-grain white rice (provides body and creamy texture to the soup; rinse thoroughly before adding)
- 5 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (the liquid foundation; choose low-sodium to control saltiness)
Equipment
Making this Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup requires just a few essential kitchen tools, with your Instant Pot being the star for its incredible efficiency.
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Cutting board & sharp knife
(for safely preparing chicken and vegetables)
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Instant Pot
(the magic appliance that makes this recipe quick and easy, using its Sauté and Pressure Cook functions)
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Large bowl
(for temporarily holding browned chicken and for easy mixing)
Instructions
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Carefully trim any excess fat from the boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into uniform bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and makes the chicken easy to eat in the soup. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper to enhance its natural flavor.
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Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” mode on normal heat. Add the olive oil to the inner pot and allow it to heat for about 2 minutes. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding can steam the chicken instead of browning it. Brown the chicken on all sides, achieving a golden crust, which adds a significant depth of flavor to your soup.
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Once all the chicken is beautifully browned, transfer it to a large bowl and set it aside. Add the sliced celery, coined carrots, and diced onion to the Instant Pot, using any leftover oil and browned bits (fond) in the pot. Sauté these vegetables for approximately 2 minutes until they start to soften and release their aromatic flavors. Then, stir in the chopped fresh rosemary and thyme and sauté for an additional minute, allowing the herbs to become fragrant.
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Add the uncooked long-grain white rice and the chicken broth (or vegetable broth) to the Instant Pot with the sautéed vegetables. Make sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to prevent a “Burn” notice. Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot, ensuring everything is submerged in the broth. Stir all ingredients well to combine them evenly.
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Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing ring is properly in place, and turn the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the cooking time to 13 minutes on High Pressure. Once the cook time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes (Natural Release). After 10 minutes, carefully switch the valve to “Venting” for a Quick Release of any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, open the lid, taste the soup, and add additional salt and pepper as needed. Stir well and serve this wonderfully comforting soup warm.
Notes
The nutritional values provided are general guidelines and are based on information for 1 serving of the ingredients listed, not including any optional additions. Please be aware that actual macros may vary slightly due to differences in specific brands and types of ingredients used in your kitchen.
To accurately determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Once the entire batch is cooked, weigh the finished soup (excluding the weight of the pot or container). Then, divide this total weight by 4 to find the approximate weight of a single serving. This method helps ensure precise portion control if you are tracking your dietary intake.
For a richer flavor, consider using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, removing the skin after cooking for a healthier option. The bones add more depth to the broth. If you prefer a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth, perhaps adding chickpeas or white beans for protein.
Nutrition Information
The number of total servings shown is an approximation. The actual number of servings you get will ultimately depend on your preferred portion sizes and how generously you ladle out the soup.
Nutritional values provided are presented as general guidelines. They reflect information for 1 serving based on the primary ingredients listed in this recipe card, and they do not include any optional ingredients or variations you might add. Please remember that actual macros (macronutrients) can vary slightly depending on the specific brands of ingredients you choose and the exact types used.
For precise determination of one serving’s weight, we recommend preparing the recipe exactly as instructed. Once cooked, weigh the entire finished recipe batch (excluding the weight of the cooking pot or serving container). Then, divide the total weight of the finished recipe by your desired number of servings. The resulting figure will be the accurate weight of a single serving.
Why You’ll Adore This Comforting Instant Pot Meal
Beyond its incredibly simple preparation, this Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is a culinary hug in a bowl. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, creating a sense of warmth and togetherness. The blend of tender chicken, creamy rice, and perfectly cooked vegetables delivers a deeply satisfying experience that’s both nourishing and delicious. Whether you’re facing a chilly evening, a busy weeknight, or simply craving a taste of home, this recipe rises to the occasion. It’s a testament to how humble ingredients, combined with the power of the Instant Pot, can create something truly spectacular.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
This delightful soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a slice of crusty bread for dipping or a fresh, simple green salad to add a contrasting texture. For an extra touch of flavor and presentation, garnish individual servings with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, dill, or chives just before serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The soup thickens considerably as it cools, so you may want to add a splash of extra chicken broth or water when reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave to achieve your desired consistency.
We hope this Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup becomes a beloved staple in your home! It’s a recipe designed for ease, flavor, and comfort, ensuring a delicious outcome every time. Don’t hesitate to share your culinary creations with us by tagging your photos on Instagram and leaving a review. Happy cooking!