When I shared my Grandmother's homemade chicken soup recipe on my blog, I didn't expect such a huge outpouring of emails, notes, and ratings. That chicken soup from scratch recipe has been getting rave reviews everywhere.
I am so excited to share an Instant Pot version of this soup recipe...this Instant Pot Chicken Soup version of her soup has all of the same cold and flu busting ingredients as my Grandma's Jewish Penicillin.
Plump juicy chicken, seasoned with thyme, basil, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper with lots of carrots, celery, and onion. This soup is hearty, filling and makes a fantastic lunch or dinner. If you are looking for a more hearty Instant Pot Chicken recipe, try this homemade Gluten Free Chicken Stew recipe too!
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The original recipe of my Grandma’s chicken soup is made on the stovetop and takes a couple of hours to cook. While the aroma of the soup was phenomenal, my busy lifestyle doesn’t always work to prepare it in that manner.
I have transformed the recipe so I can easily make the chicken soup in the Instant Pot. When you make pressure cooker chicken soup, the flavors combine even more to make it out of this world amazing. The chicken is fall off the bone moist!
Our family loves chicken soup...for more delicious chicken soup recipes, check out the best homemade chicken soup recipes on my blog.
There are many people who call this Jewish penicillin because it can help you feel better when you have a cold or flu. I know that when I am sick, there is nothing that makes me feel better like a nice big bowl of yummy soup.
If soup is your thing...I have tons of delicious gluten free soup recipes on the blog!
When it comes to this soup, my readers have had some questions, and I thought I would try to answer them here so you have all of the information. Take a look at this helpful information and let me know if there are other questions you may have.
Why does chicken soup make you feel better?
The warm soup will help ease the pain in your throat. It is also believed that there are anti-inflammatory properties in the soup as well. Another reason that you feel better is that the heat from a hot bowl of soup can also aid in breaking up congestion.
When you eat soup that is packed with nutrient-rich foods like carrots, celery, and chicken you will boost your immune system too. These ingredients will provide you with protein, potassium, beta-carotene, antioxidants, fiber and more.
This soup is also healthy because it is made with chicken bones too so it makes a savory bone broth full of nutrients!
How is an Instant Pot different than a crockpot?
A slow cooker merely cooks your food at a slower pace, so the meats, sauces, spices, and seasonings combine together and create a flavorful dish. An Instant Pot has many functions. You can use it as a slow cooker or pressure cooker. You can even saute’ foods and use them to keep food warm.
If you are looking for even more delicious gluten free recipes to make in your Instant Pot, here are some of my family's favorites:
- Vegetable Soup With Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Teff Breakfast Cheese Grits Recipe
- Instant Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Meatballs
Instructions:
This is what I call a dump recipe. There is no need to use the fancy sauté button. I literally dump all of the ingredients into my Instant Pot. I use an 8 Qt Instant Pot, which I think you need for this homemade chicken soup recipe.
Add in the combination of chicken broth and water. Take note of the fill line!! You do not want to overfill your Instant Pot!!
How long do you cook soup in the Instant Pot?
Put on the cover and lock the lid down. Press Soup/Broth and cook. When this is done, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken. Use the extra time so that this cooks for 40 minutes total. When it is done, your chicken should be over 165F degrees.
Can you make this chicken soup recipe stovetop?
This chicken soup recipe does NOT have to be made in an Instant Pot...feel free to make it in a slow cooker or stovetop. Use what you have!
If you don't have an instant pot, you can make this delicious homemade chicken soup recipe stovetop just like my Grandmother did. While you are here, I have a ton of easy Gluten Free Chicken Recipes on the blog you can check out as well :-).
📋 Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Soup
My grandmother's homemade chicken soup recipe, made in an Instant Pot. Easy step by step directions so you can enjoy this cold and flu busting soup!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds Chicken, *You want to use chicken with the bone, but if you have deboned chicken, that is okay too
- 5 carrots, chopped, *You can use a combination of carrots and parsnips
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 onion
- 2 teaspoons basil
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 1 quart chicken broth
- water to get to fill line
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add all vegetables and a whole chicken to the Instant Pot.
- Add seasonings and chicken broth. Add water the rest of the way to the fill line.
- Close the Instant Pot. Choose Soup/Broth and extra time (it should read 40 minutes!)
- When the Instant Pot is done, do NOT just open the instant pot. You need to let the Instant Pot depressurize according to the directions.
- Serve hot. Optional add rice or gluten free noodles.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 271Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 1098mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 27g
Bill
You don't say.. but, do you chop the onion and garlic.. or put in whole?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Bill, Please do chop everthing up 🙂
Marlene
If I use frozen chicken how long do I have to cook it and how long for a natural release of pressure?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Marlene, I haven't cooked a whole frozen chicken to make this recipe. I would assume it would take an hour, hoping another reader has tried it and would advise.
Kim
I only have boneless skinless chicken breasts, would that work? If so, how many pounds would I use? And would I keep all the other ingredients the same?
Thanks! Kim
Sandi Gaertner
It will totally work and it will taste great using chicken breasts..but the bones cooking in this is what gives it the magic cold and flu busting (bone broth part). Note two chicken breasts won't be enough, you would want to use 4 so you get the flavor.
trisha
Son is home from school sick today with flu..
wants chicken soup. have all items on hand.. but my chicken is frozen.. any suggestion?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Trisha, you can use frozen chicken but you will need to cook it a lot longer. Unfortunately, I haven't used frozen chicken so you may need to experiment. Please do use a kitchen thermometer when checking to make sure it is done so it reads 165 degrees F for an internal temperature of the chicken. I hope he feels better soon!