High Protein Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup | Comforting Fall Soup Recipe

Introduction

High Protein Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup is the perfect meal for chilly autumn evenings. This recipe packs lean protein, hearty vegetables, and wholesome rice into every spoonful, delivering comfort and nourishment with minimal effort. Made in a single pot, this soup is ideal for busy weeknights, post-workout dinners, or feeding a hungry family with nutritious ease.

Why This High Protein Chicken & Rice Soup is the Ultimate Fall Comfort

This soup stands out for its robust flavor and satisfying texture thanks to juicy chicken breasts and tender rice simmered together with aromatic herbs and vegetables. It’s a complete meal in a bowl, delivering satiety and balanced nutrition without fuss. High protein content keeps you fuller longer, and the Instant Pot method means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying cozy evenings.

Unlocking Deep Flavor with the Instant Pot

The pressure cooking function of the Instant Pot allows flavors from garlic, onion, carrots, and celery to meld beautifully in a fraction of traditional cooking time. The chicken stays juicy, and rice becomes perfectly tender without turning mushy. A dash of herbs like thyme or rosemary lifts the broth, making it fragrant and deeply comforting.

Easy Steps to Hearty Chicken & Rice Soup

Start by sautéing onions and garlic with a touch of olive oil in your Instant Pot. This step builds a flavorful foundation. Next, add diced chicken breast, vegetables, rice, broth, and your favorite herbs. With the push of a button, everything cooks together into a nourishing soup that’s ready to enjoy in under an hour.

Serving Suggestions for an Inviting, High Protein Soup

Serve this soup piping hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Crusty whole-grain bread or a side salad make excellent companions. For an extra protein punch, stir in a can of drained white beans or top each bowl with a sprinkle of shredded parmesan.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 6 generous servings. Each bowl contains around 300-350 calories, 28g protein, 35g carbs, and 5g fat—making it a high protein, low fat, and naturally gluten-free option to add to your fall meal rotation.

High Protein Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup (Recap)

With lean chicken, nourishing vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice in a savory broth, this soup is everything you want from a fall comfort dish—wholesome, filling, and easy enough for any night of the week.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and streamlined fall meal planning.

Instructions

1. Set Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add olive oil. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 3-4 minutes until beginning to soften.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Stir in diced chicken, rice, broth, thyme (or Italian seasoning), bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. If using, add drained white beans.
4. Cancel sauté mode. Secure the lid and set valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes (use 15 minutes for brown rice).
5. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
6. Remove the bay leaf. Shred any large chicken pieces with forks if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
7. Stir in a squeeze of lemon juice and garnish with parsley if using. Serve hot with your favorite side!

Weekly Meal Planning

This nourishing soup is a meal prep superstar, reheating beautifully throughout the week. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to enjoy it and generate organized shopping lists for all your weekly meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient amounts across the week
– Sorts your shopping list by store aisle for fastest trips
– Avoids double-buying and missing items
– Streamlines batch cooking and healthy meal planning

Smart tip: Schedule this soup alongside other protein-packed dinners and see exactly how many servings and ingredients you’ll need—making fall meal prep healthy, stress-free, and waste-minimizing.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes (plus time for pressure to build and release)
Total Time: 50 minutes

Enjoy a bowl of this High Protein Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup for cozy comfort and balanced nutrition all fall long!