Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup: A Wholesome Meal in Minutes
Discover the ultimate comfort food that’s both incredibly quick and satisfying: our Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup recipe. This delightful soup combines tender chicken, hearty rice, and nutritious vegetables in a savory broth, cooking in an astonishing 4 minutes in your pressure cooker. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave a homemade, healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Essential Ingredients for Your Soup
- Step-by-Step Guide to Making Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
- Unlocking Maximum Flavor in Your Soup
- Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Explore More Instant Pot Soup Recipes
- Recipe Card
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
Cooking wholesome soups in my Instant Pot has become a weekly ritual, and this Chicken and Rice Soup has quickly joined the ranks of my all-time favorites, alongside classics like Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup, and the creamy Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup. But this recipe stands out for its incredible speed and nourishing qualities.
This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice soup is truly a game-changer for busy households. With an active cooking time of just 4 minutes, you can have a deeply flavorful, healthy, and hearty meal on the table faster than ordering takeout. It’s an ideal choice for a satisfying lunch or a light yet filling dinner. The simplicity of the ingredients combined with the efficiency of pressure cooking means less time chopping and stirring, and more time enjoying. Plus, the leftovers are absolutely fantastic the next day, often tasting even better as the flavors meld and deepen. It’s a complete meal in one pot, packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making it a go-to for healthy eating without sacrificing taste or convenience.
Essential Ingredients for Your Wholesome Chicken and Rice Soup
Crafting this quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup requires just a handful of fresh, simple ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the rich flavor and comforting texture of this classic dish:
- Chicken: We recommend boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs for their lean protein and ease of preparation. Cutting them into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and makes the soup easy to enjoy.
- Fresh Vegetables: Aromatic vegetables like onion, garlic, celery, and carrots form the essential flavor base of any good soup. They add natural sweetness, depth, and a vibrant array of nutrients.
- Rice: Long-grain white rice is specified for this recipe, chosen for its quick cooking time and ability to absorb the rich broth, contributing to the soup’s comforting consistency. See our FAQs for notes on other rice types.
- Seasoning: A simple yet powerful blend of Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper is all you need. Italian seasoning typically includes oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram, providing a complex herbal note that complements the chicken and vegetables beautifully.
- Liquids: A combination of water and high-quality chicken stock or broth creates the flavorful base of our soup. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the saltiness to your preference.
These core ingredients come together to create a balanced, delicious, and incredibly easy soup that will quickly become a family favorite.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken and Rice Soup in the Instant Pot
Creating this flavorful Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is remarkably straightforward. Follow these easy steps for a perfect bowl every time:
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by cutting the boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs into uniform bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking. Next, finely chop your onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic cloves. Having all your ingredients prepped beforehand will make the cooking process smooth and efficient.
- Set Up and Sauté the Aromatics: Ensure the stainless steel inner pot is properly placed in your Instant Pot. Select the “Sauté” setting and allow the Instant Pot to heat up for about 2 minutes. Once hot, add the olive oil and let it shimmer for a moment. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the hot oil. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.
- Add Chicken and Seasoning: Now, add the minced garlic to the sautéing vegetables and cook for another minute until fragrant. Introduce the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken starts to turn white on the outside. This quick sear locks in flavor. At this point, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Continue to cook for another minute or two, stirring, until the chicken is almost fully cooked through and the seasonings are fragrant. Press the “Cancel/Off” button to end the sauté function.
- Incorporate Rice and Liquids: Add the white long-grain rice to the pot and stir it thoroughly with the chicken and vegetables. This helps to toast the rice slightly and prevent it from clumping. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Stir everything gently to combine, ensuring no rice sticks to the bottom of the pot, which could trigger a “burn” message.
- Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure it’s properly sealed. Rotate the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on HIGH pressure. Set the timer for 4 minutes. The Instant Pot will take approximately 7 minutes to come to full pressure before the actual cooking countdown begins.
- Natural and Quick Pressure Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes (Natural Pressure Release or NPR). After 5 minutes, carefully flip the steam release valve to the “Venting” position to perform a Quick Release (QR) and release any remaining pressure. Always keep your face and hands away from the steam release.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once all the pressure has been released and the float valve has dropped, carefully open the lid, tilting it away from your face to avoid residual steam. Give the soup a good stir to combine all the delicious ingredients. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve hot and savor this comforting, homemade meal!
- Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty baguette or a slice of sourdough is perfect for dipping into the savory broth.
- Side Salad: A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the soup.
- Garnish Galore: Beyond fresh parsley, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors beautifully. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt can add a creamy richness.
- Spice It Up: For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other seasonings, or stir in a dash of hot sauce at the end.
- Herb Garden Freshness: While Italian seasoning is wonderful, you can experiment with other fresh herbs like dill, thyme, or rosemary. Add fresh herbs at the very end of cooking to preserve their vibrant flavor.
- Creamy Delight: For a richer, creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream, half-and-half, or even a bit of full-fat coconut milk (for a dairy-free option) after the pressure cooking is complete.
- Extra Veggies: Boost the nutritional content by adding quick-cooking vegetables like frozen peas, corn, or chopped spinach during the last minute of sautéing or stirring them in after the pressure cooking cycle.
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- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 1 small yellow onion
- ▢ 2 celery stalks
- ▢ 2 carrots
- ▢ 2 garlic cloves
- ▢ 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ▢ ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried thyme
- ▢ ½ cup white long-grain rice see note
- ▢ 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- ▢ 2 ⅓ cups water
- Start by cutting the chicken breast into bite size pieces. Chop onion, carrots and celery.2 celery stalks, 2 carrots, 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 small yellow onion
- Make sure the stainless steel insert is in your Instant Pot. Press “saute” setting and let the IP heat up for 2 minutes. Add oil and let it heat up.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add chopped onion, carrot, celery and minced garlic. Sautee for 3 to 4 minutes. Add chicken and saute for 2 minutes. When the chicken starts to turn white, add seasoning. Cook until chicken is almost cooked. Press “cancel/off” button.2 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Add rice and stir well. Add liquids and stir. Close lid, set valve to “sealing” position. Make sure the Instant Pot is set to cook on HIGH pressure. Press the “manual” or “pressure cook” button. Set timer to 4 minutes. It will take about 7 minutes for the IP to come to pressure.½ cup white long-grain rice, 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock, 2 ⅓ cups water
- When the timer is done, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then flip the valve to “venting” position to release remaining pressure.
- Open the lid carefully away from your face. Stir. Serve with chopped parsley.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with for accurate dietary tracking.
- If using frozen chicken, skip the browning step. Increase the pressure cooking time to 12 minutes and use brown rice since it requires longer cooking time. White rice may overcook significantly with the longer cook time.
Unlocking Maximum Flavor in Your Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
To ensure your Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is not just easy but bursting with rich, complex flavors, pay close attention to how you incorporate your seasonings. A common mistake is to simply add dried herbs to the liquid at the end, resulting in a bland flavor where the herbs float on top rather than infusing into the dish. Here’s the secret to a truly flavorful soup:
We highly recommend adding your dry seasonings, such as Italian seasoning or a poultry herb mix, directly to the sautéing vegetables and chicken. When dried herbs are introduced to hot oil and proteins during the sautéing stage, they toast slightly, releasing their essential oils and becoming incredibly fragrant. This process “activates” their flavor, allowing them to cling to the chicken and vegetables, creating a foundational layer of taste that permeates every spoonful of the soup. By doing this, you’re not just seasoning the broth; you’re building a deeper, more cohesive flavor profile right from the start. This simple step makes a world of difference in transforming your soup from merely good to truly exceptional.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
Perfect Pairings
This hearty Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions to create a complete and satisfying spread. Consider serving it with:
Creative Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic, feel free to experiment and customize your Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup:
Frequently Asked Questions
Any leftover Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup should be stored in an airtight container with a lid and refrigerated for up to 4 days. Please note that the rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so the soup may thicken considerably. When reheating, we recommend adding a little extra chicken stock or water to achieve your desired consistency.
Absolutely! You have flexibility with the type of rice you use. White rice, including long-grain or Jasmine, works perfectly with the 4-minute cooking time. If you prefer to use brown rice, which offers more fiber and a nuttier flavor, you will need to adjust the cooking time to 12 minutes on HIGH pressure. When using brown rice, you can also opt to use whole chicken breasts or thighs (around 1 lb total) instead of pre-diced chicken. Sear them with the vegetables and seasoning, then add the rice and liquids. After cooking for 12 minutes, you can remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the soup before serving. Jasmine rice, like white long-grain rice, requires only 4 minutes of cooking, so the instructions remain the same for those varieties.
Yes, you can certainly use frozen chicken breast or thighs in this soup, but some adjustments are necessary. Since frozen chicken does not sauté well, you should skip the initial browning step for the chicken. Simply sauté your vegetables as directed, then add the frozen chicken pieces (whole or cut if possible while still frozen) along with the seasonings, rice, and liquids. If using frozen chicken, you will need to increase the pressure cooking time to 12 minutes on HIGH. This longer cooking time is ideal for brown rice, which also requires 12 minutes. Therefore, if you plan to use frozen chicken, we highly recommend using brown rice to avoid overcooking the white long-grain rice.
Yes, this soup is very versatile! You can easily add other quick-cooking vegetables. For example, stir in 1/2 cup of frozen peas or corn during the last minute of natural pressure release, or once the lid is open. Fresh spinach or kale can be wilted into the hot soup just before serving. For heartier vegetables like potatoes or sweet potatoes, cut them into small, bite-sized cubes and add them along with the carrots and celery during the sauté step to ensure they cook through completely.
Yes, this Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup freezes fairly well. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating from frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator if possible, then gently warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding extra broth or water as needed to thin to your desired consistency. Be aware that rice can become a little softer in texture after freezing and thawing, but the flavor will still be excellent.
Explore More Instant Pot Soup Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of Instant Pot soups, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of pressure cooker soup recipes waiting to be discovered. Expand your culinary repertoire with these other fantastic Instant Pot soup ideas:
For those new to the world of pressure cooking, or if you need a refresher, check out our comprehensive Instant Pot Guide for Beginners. If you’ve ever encountered the dreaded “burn” message while using your Instant Pot, don’t worry! Our dedicated post on the Instant Pot Burn Message explains how to troubleshoot and prevent this common issue, ensuring your cooking experience is always smooth and successful.
If you try this comforting Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup recipe and love it as much as we do, please let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to leave a star rating to help other home cooks discover this fantastic recipe!
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