Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

Introduction

There’s nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of homemade chicken and rice soup—except when it comes together in under 40 minutes with minimal effort. Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup boasts all the cozy flavor and hearty nourishment you crave, but with the time-saving advantage of pressure cooking. This recipe is a go-to for busy weeknights, easy make-ahead lunches, or anytime you need a wholesome meal that appeals to everyone at the table.

Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

What makes this soup exceptional is its simplicity and depth of flavor. Tender pieces of chicken, fluffy rice, and vibrant vegetables simmer together, soaking up savory herbs in a deliciously creamy broth. Everything cooks in one pot, requiring almost no hands-on time, and yields a steaming bowl of comfort—no stovetop babysitting required!

Choosing the Best Ingredients

For the most satisfying soup, opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness, though chicken breasts work well for a leaner option. Aromatic vegetables like onion, carrots, and celery form the soup’s flavor base, while a good-quality chicken broth and aromatic herbs complete the experience. White rice keeps the soup light and classic, but brown rice is a hearty alternative—just remember to adjust cooking time accordingly.

Making Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

Building flavor is easy: sauté your aromatic vegetables directly in the Instant Pot, then layer in chicken, rice, broth, and herbs. With just a brief pressure cooking cycle, the soup comes together beautifully, with each ingredient perfectly cooked. Quick-release saves even more time, ensuring the ultimate “set-it-and-forget-it” meal for any night of the week.

Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

Serve the soup hot, garnished with plenty of fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon for brightness. A side of crusty bread or a simple green salad rounds out the meal. For extra heartiness, stir in a handful of baby spinach or sweet corn after cooking.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 generous servings, each providing wholesome protein, fiber, and vitamins with about 280 calories per bowl (depending on rice choice and chicken cut). Low in fat, high in comfort, and an excellent source of vegetables.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup (Recap)

With classic flavors and effortless preparation, this Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is destined to become a staple. The one-pot convenience, minimal cleanup, and endlessly customizable ingredients guarantee it will please picky eaters and busy cooks alike.

💡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 stress-free weekly planning!

Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add olive oil, then stir in diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add the chicken thighs or breasts, rice, chicken broth, dried herbs (thyme, parsley, oregano), bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Secure the lid, set the pressure valve to ‘Sealing,’ and cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes.
5. When cooking is complete, carefully quick-release the pressure. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, then return it to the pot.
6. Stir in lemon juice and any optional veggies (spinach or corn). Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for batch cooking and meal planning. Save and schedule this recipe to automate your weekly menu, create an organized shopping list, and ensure you have everything you need for lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Planning Benefits:

– Creates a consolidated grocery list for all your planned recipes
– Sorts ingredients by store section for fast, organized shopping
– Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
– Streamlines planning for busy families or meal preppers

Pro tip: Schedule this soup alongside other recipes to see how ingredient quantities combine—eliminating guesswork and reducing food waste, especially for staple items like chicken, broth, or carrots.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes