When the evenings grow chilly and you're looking for something to warm your soul, there's nothing quite like a steaming bowl of chicken soup. If you haven't tried using an Instant Pot, or Instapot, for this purpose, you're missing out on an easy, time-efficient way to make this comforting classic. This blog post will guide you through an Easy Instapot Chicken Soup Recipe perfect for those cozy nights, ensuring you have all the comfort without the hassle of spending hours in the kitchen.
Why Use an Instapot?
The Instant Pot, known colloquially as an Instapot, is a brand of multi-cooker that can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and do much more with a single gadget. Here are some reasons why you might want to use an Instapot for your chicken soup:
- Time Saving: An Instapot reduces cooking time dramatically by utilizing pressure cooking technology. What might take hours on the stove can be done in minutes.
- Flavor Infusion: Cooking under pressure can lead to deeper, more integrated flavors as ingredients meld together in a closed environment.
- One-Pot Cooking: Say goodbye to dirtying multiple pots and pans. With the Instapot, you can sauté, cook, and even store your soup in one appliance.
- Energy Efficient: Using an Instapot is more energy-efficient than running an oven or keeping pots simmering on the stove.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Instapot chicken soup:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs), cut into pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3-4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3-4 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cups of chicken broth or water (use broth for a richer flavor)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
The Instapot Chicken Soup Recipe
Prep Work
- Wash the Chicken: Ensure your chicken is well cleaned and pat it dry.
- Chop Vegetables: Prepare your onion, carrots, and celery by chopping or slicing them into bite-sized pieces.
- Mince Garlic: Mince your garlic or use a garlic press for convenience.
- Heat Up Your Instapot: Turn your Instapot to sauté mode to heat up the pot.
Cooking Steps
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add olive oil to the Instapot, then sauté onions and garlic until they’re translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Throw in the carrots and celery, sautéing for another 3-5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Season and Add Chicken: Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Add the chicken pieces, mixing them with the vegetables. Cook for about 2-3 minutes to brown the chicken slightly.
- Add Liquid and Bay Leaf: Pour in the chicken broth or water. Add the bay leaf. If using chicken, place larger pieces at the bottom to ensure they cook through.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. It will take about 10-15 minutes to reach pressure.
- Natural Release: Allow for a natural pressure release, which might take about 10 minutes, or if you’re impatient, do a quick release after 10 minutes.
- Remove Chicken and Debone: Once the valve has dropped, open the Instapot. Carefully remove the chicken pieces. Debone and shred the chicken, returning the meat to the pot.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a clearer soup, you might want to skim off any foam that has risen to the surface.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve with crusty bread or crackers.
🍲 Note: If the soup is too watery, you can thicken it by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a bit of cold water and adding it to the soup, then cooking for another 5 minutes on sauté mode.
Storing and Reheating
One of the great things about this chicken soup is how well it stores. Here’s how you can manage leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Allow the soup to cool, then transfer it to airtight containers. It can last in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully. Cool it completely, then freeze in portions. It can last up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave. If using a microwave, cover to prevent splattering.
Health Benefits of Chicken Soup
Besides the comforting warmth it brings, chicken soup has several health benefits:
- Hydration: Helps keep you hydrated, especially if you’re under the weather.
- Anti-Inflammatory: The ingredients in chicken soup, like garlic, onions, and herbs, have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Rich in Nutrients: Contains protein, vitamins, and minerals that aid in recovery from colds or flu.
Overall, chicken soup made in an Instapot offers a convenient, quick, and healthy meal option perfect for any time, especially when you need something to soothe and heal.
In summary, this Instapot Chicken Soup recipe provides an easy way to enjoy a comforting dish with minimal effort. The Instant Pot's capabilities reduce cooking time while still allowing for a rich, flavorful soup that can warm you up on the chilliest of nights. Remember, while this recipe is straightforward, it's adaptable. Feel free to add more vegetables, spices, or even noodles to make it your own. Whether you're cooking for yourself, your family, or friends, this soup is sure to bring comfort, joy, and a bit of culinary therapy. So next time you're craving something cozy, let your Instapot do the work, and enjoy the soulful results.
Can I use frozen chicken for this soup?
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Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just increase the cooking time by about 5-10 minutes to ensure it’s cooked through.
How can I make this soup more hearty?
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You can add pasta, rice, or even potatoes to make the soup heartier. Add these ingredients after pressure cooking and let them cook in the residual heat.
What if my soup ends up too salty?
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If your soup is too salty, you can dilute it with a bit more water or unsalted broth. Alternatively, adding a peeled, raw potato to cook in the soup can absorb some of the salt.
Can I make this vegetarian?
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Absolutely! Swap the chicken for a combination of mushrooms and root vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Is it possible to overcook the soup in an Instapot?
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The Instapot’s pressure cooking function helps to prevent overcooking. However, leaving it on ‘Keep Warm’ mode for too long can overcook certain ingredients, so it’s best to turn off or switch to sauté mode if you need to thicken the soup.
