Instant Pot Chicken Soup From Scratch

Name: Instant Pot Chicken Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds Chicken (*See note); 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

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My Grandma's homemade Instant Pot Chicken Soup is a warm and nourishing soup that is perfect for cold winter days or when you're feeling under the weather. Use a whole chicken, or any bone-in chicken and fresh vegetables.

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Why does chicken soup make you feel better?
Ingredient Notes:
Tips For Success:
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
Recipe FAQ:
More Gluten Free Instant Pot Recipes:
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💬 Comments

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.

The original recipe of my Grandma’s chicken soup is made on the stovetop and takes 2-3 hours to cook to full flavor. 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!

This homemade whole chicken soup is full of plump juicy chicken, seasoned with thyme, basil, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper with lots of carrots, celery, and onion. This soup is hearty and filling. It makes a fantastic lunch or dinner.

Our family loves chicken soup...for more delicious chicken recipes, check out the best homemade gluten free chicken recipes on my blog.

Why does chicken soup make you feel better?

The warm soup will help ease the pain in your throat. It is also believed that the soup has anti-inflammatory properties 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.
Many people call this Instant Pot Jewish chicken soup Jewish penicillin because it can help you feel better when you have a cold or flu. I know that when I am sick, nothing makes me feel better, like a nice big bowl of yummy soup.
You will boost your immune system when you eat soup packed with nutrient-rich foods like carrots, celery, and chicken. These ingredients provide protein, potassium, beta-carotene, antioxidants, fiber, and more.

Even in rural Zambia, while working at a small mission hospital, I would make this soup every week. I would also make brown rice and keep both in the refrigerator. Whenever I needed something quick, I would heat up a bowl of this delicious soup and toss in some rice for an instant meal. Thank you. This is a wonderful recipe. Twasanta mwane means "thank you" in the Kikaonde language here in NW Zambia."
Allan, Pinterest

Ingredient Notes:

One whole chicken - I typically buy organic chicken. Make sure to remove the giblets bag before you cook this recipe. I made the mistake of forgetting once and so :-).
Parsnips - parsnips are similar in flavor to a carrot but a little sweeter. These are optional but add great flavor!
Onions - Use yellow onions.
Celery - Use as much as you like
Carrots - I love to use a lot of carrots for flavor.
Garlic - Minced fresh or jarred garlic are both okay to use.
Chicken Broth - This gives a boost of flavor.
Parsley - fresh parsley is delicious; I often use fresh dill instead for a bit of extra flavor.

This soup is also healthy because it is made with chicken bones too, so it makes a savory bone broth full of nutrients! If you are looking for a more hearty Instant Pot Chicken recipe, try this homemade Gluten Free Chicken Stew recipe too!

Tips For Success:

Use a good quality chicken broth to make this Instant Pot Whole Chicken Soup recipe. Try not to use bouillon because many are not gluten free.
If you don't have a whole chicken, you can use chicken legs, a half chicken, or even chicken breasts.
Be sure there is enough water added for the size of Instant Pot.

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Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

Are you ready to try this easy Instant Pot chicken soup recipe?

This is what I call a dump aka an easy, minimal prep recipe. There is no need to use the fancy Instant Pot sauté button. I literally dump all of the ingredients into my Instant Pot.

I used an 8 Qt Instant Pot, which I think you need for this homemade chicken soup recipe.

Step 1: Add your chicken, vegetables, and seasoning to the Instant Pot. Don't forget to remove the giblet bag! Many ask if you need to rinse the chicken before adding it to the Instant Pot. You do not need to rinse the chicken.

Step 2: Add in the combination of chicken broth and water. Take note of the fill line!! You do not want to overfill your Instant Pot!!

Step 3: Seal your Instant Pot and set it to Soup/Broth. Add extra time to your model, so this soup cooks for 40 minutes.

Allow the Instant Pot to depressurize, or use the quick-release feature if your model has it.

Step 4: Check the internal temperature with a digital meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is at 165º F.

Two bowls of soup next to a blue napkin.

Recipe FAQ:

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 165 degrees F.

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! Here are the directions to make my Grandma's Homemade Chicken Soup on the stove.

How do you store chicken soup?

Store this soup in your refrigerator in an airtight container. I like to store my chicken and soup separately. It will keep up to 5 days.

How is an Instant Pot different than a crockpot?

A slow cooker cooks your food at a slower pace, so the meats, sauces, spices, and seasonings combine to 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.

Can you cook noodles in the Instant Pot with the chicken?

I would definitely not cook noodles in with the soup, especially gluten free noodles. They will turn to absolute mush over the 40-minute cook time.

If you don't have an instant pot, you can make this delicious homemade chicken soup recipe stovetop just like my Grandmother did. You may also love this Chicken and Rice Soup with Mushrooms.

More Gluten Free Instant Pot Recipes:

This Vegetable Soup With Shredded Chicken is hearty enough to make a great meal!
My family loves this simple Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, even my picky eater.
If you haven't tried teff, it is delicious in this Teff Breakfast Cheese Grits Recipe.
This is my Grandma's homemade Cabbage and Meatballs recipe but made in an Instant Pot. Instant Pot Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Meatballs.

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This post was updated from an older January 2019 post with more recipe details.

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