Are you craving a hearty, soul-warming meal that doesn't require hours of cooking? Look no further! This Instant Pot Chicken Soup is your ultimate quick and delicious solution. In less time than it takes to watch your favorite sitcom episode, you'll have a steaming bowl of pure comfort that will make your taste buds dance and your family beg for seconds. Packed with tender shredded chicken, perfectly cooked vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth, this recipe is about to become your new go-to meal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by washing and dicing carrots, celery, and onion into uniform small pieces.
- Select the Sauté function on the Instant Pot and add a small amount of oil. Briefly brown the chicken thighs on both sides for 2-3 minutes to develop flavor.
- Remove chicken thighs and set aside. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the pot, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Return chicken thighs to the pot and add chicken broth, ensuring ingredients are mostly covered by liquid.
- Sprinkle thyme, salt, and pepper evenly over the ingredients for balanced seasoning.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and select Manual/Pressure Cook mode for 10 minutes at high pressure.
- After cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully perform quick release for remaining pressure.
- Remove chicken thighs, shred with two forks, and return meat back to the soup.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot in bowls with optional fresh herbs as garnish.
Tips
- Uniform Chopping: Dice your vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Browning Matters: Don't skip the brief sautéing of chicken thighs and vegetables. This step develops deep, rich flavors that elevate the entire dish.
- Liquid Ratio: Ensure ingredients are mostly covered by broth for optimal moisture and flavor infusion.
- Natural Pressure Release: The 5-minute natural release helps the chicken remain tender and allows flavors to meld together.
- Shredding Technique: Use two forks to shred chicken for the most tender, easy-to-eat pieces.
- Seasoning Tip: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end to perfect the soup's flavor profile.
- Garnish Options: Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can add a bright, fresh finish to your soup.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 120mg
