Instant Pot Chicken And Rice Soup – A Perfect Recipe To Try

Do you love easy dishes that hardly take any time to make at all? This delicious instant pot chicken and rice soup will be your recipe! It’s easy to make and feels like a warm hug on a cold day.

Anyone can make this dish; the ingredients are already around your kitchen. If you love comforting food, this will become your go-to dish when the weather turns. Enjoy it with some toast on the side if you like it, too!

For more detailed steps, make sure that you take a look at our step-by-step instructions. We will review everything you need about this delicious recipe in the section below.

What Is Instant Pot Chicken And Rice Soup? 

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is a hearty, comforting dish made using the Instant Pot, a multi-functional electric cooker. It combines juicy chicken pieces, fluffy rice, and aromatic vegetables in a savory broth. 

The pressure-cooking feature ensures rapid cooking while preserving flavors, resulting in a soup that tastes like it simmered for hours. Perfect for chilly days or when you need a quick, nutritious meal, this soup brings traditional homestyle cooking to the modern table.

Can You Vary The Recipe With Other Ingredients?

Certainly! The Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup can be modified to accommodate various dietary needs:

• Keto Skip the rice. Boost the fats by adding more olive oil or butter. Incorporate low-carb veggies like cauliflower.
• Paleo Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. Ensure the chicken broth is paleo-friendly and free from additives.
• Gluten-Free Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Double-check the chicken broth, or make your own.
• Whole30 Stick to compliant chicken broth without additives, sugars, or non-compliant seasonings. Use cauliflower rice.
• Vegetarian Substitute chicken with tofu or mushrooms. Use vegetable broth.
• Vegan Replace butter or ghee (if used) with olive oil or vegan butter, along with the vegetarian adjustments.

Variations, Add-Ons, And Toppings 

Variations

• Asian Flair: Incorporate ginger, lemongrass, and swap rice with jasmine rice.
• Mediterranean Touch: Use orzo instead of rice and add diced tomatoes and olives.

Add-Ons

• Proteins: Incorporate beans, lentils, tofu, or shrimp for extra nutrition.
• Veggies: Spinach, kale, peas, or corn can add color and texture.
• Grains: Swap rice for quinoa, barley, or wild rice for a twist.

Toppings

• Crunch: Top with croutons or toasted sesame seeds.
• Freshness: Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
• Creaminess: Swirl in coconut milk, cream, or a dollop of yogurt.
• Heat: Drizzle with hot sauce or sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
• Herbs: Chopped cilantro, dill, or basil for an aromatic finish.

Can I Make Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup In A Slow Cooker?

Certainly! The versatility of the Chicken and Rice Soup recipe allows for adaptation to a slow cooker.

• Technically you could, but it is not necessary. The recipe takes less than half an hour from beginning to end, so it’s not usually worth getting your slow cooker out. 
• However, if you would like to use a slow cooker, you absolutely can. You can let the dish cook all day if you like, and it will be delightfully tender and juicy.
• Just be aware that if you leave the vegetables to cook for this long, even on low heat, they could end up a little too soft.
• You will also need time when you add your rice carefully if you use a slow cooker. Overcooked rice is no fun, so be sure to consider everything.

Can I Use Store Bought Broth, Or Should I Make My Own?

Both store-bought and homemade broths can be used for Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup, each with its benefits.

Store-Bought Broth

• Convenience: Perfect for quick meals without making broth from scratch.
• Variety: Different flavors and dietary options, like low-sodium or organic.
• Consistency: Provides a predictable taste and consistency each time.

Homemade Broth

• Flavor Control: Allows customization according to personal preferences.
• Nutrition: Typically contains fewer preservatives and additives.
• Cost-effective: It can be made from vegetable scraps or leftover chicken bones.

How To Serve ?

Serving the Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup at its finest involves a mix of presentation, temperature, and timing. Here’s how:

• Temperature: Serve the soup hot but not scalding. It should be warm enough to release its fragrant aromas.
• Bowl Selection: Use deep bowls to maintain the soup’s warmth and present a hearty serving.
• Garnish: Sprinkle fresh, chopped parsley, chives, or a grated lemon zest for color and added flavor.
• Accompaniments: Serve with crusty bread, a side salad, or a few slices of lemon for an extra tang.
• Stirring: Give the soup a good stir before serving to ensure an even distribution of ingredients in each bowl.
• Timing: Serve immediately after cooking for the best texture and flavor.

Perfect Side Dishes

• Crusty Bread: Ideal for dipping and absorbing the rich flavors of the soup.
• Green Salad: A fresh mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette offers a crisp contrast.
• Grilled Vegetables: Seasonal veggies, grilled to perfection, add both texture and flavor.
• Cheese Platter: Soft cheeses can complement the soup’s warmth, and harder cheeses offer a delightful contrast.
• Steamed Asparagus: Drizzled with a touch of lemon juice, it’s a simple yet elegant side.
• Quinoa Salad: A chilled quinoa salad with herbs offers a refreshing bite.
• Garlic Knots or Breadsticks: For added garlic flavor and a delightful crunch.

Storage And Make Ahead

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Pour into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw: Defrost overnight in the refrigerator or use the microwave defrost setting.
• Reheat: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.
• Rice Consideration: Add fresh rice when reheating to avoid mushiness.
• Batch Cooking: Double the recipe for easy future meals.
• Portion Control: Freeze in individual servings for quick lunches.

What Can We Do With Leftovers?

Utilizing leftover Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup ensures no waste and offers creative meal variations:

• Chicken Fried Rice: Strain out ingredients, stir-fry with a bit of soy sauce, and scramble in an egg.
• Chicken Salad: Shred the chicken, mix it with veggies, and toss it in a light dressing.
• Chicken Wraps: Use the strained chicken and veggies as a filling, add some cheese or sauce, and roll in a tortilla.
• Chicken Casserole: Layer the soup with mashed potatoes or breadcrumbs, and bake until golden.
• Chicken Quesadillas: Use strained ingredients as a filling between tortillas, grill, and serve with salsa.
• Rice Bowls: Top reheated soup over fresh or leftover rice, garnishing with fresh herbs.
• Soup Remix: Add new veggies or herbs, maybe some noodles, and transform it into a different soup flavor.

Tips

• Sauté First: Start by browning the chicken and vegetables using the sauté function to enhance the flavor and depth of the soup.
• Use Chicken Thighs: Choose chicken thighs over breasts as they remain moist and tender under pressure cooking, adding more richness to your soup.
• Broth Quality: Use low-sodium or homemade chicken broth to control the saltiness and ensure a cleaner, more natural taste in your soup.
• Rice Selection: Use long-grain rice or wild rice to maintain texture, as they hold up better than short-grain rice in pressure cooking.
• Natural Release: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes to let flavors meld together and avoid splattering during quick release.
• Seasoning: Add herbs and spices after cooking to prevent them from becoming too intense. Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme work well as finishing touches.
• Veggie Timing: Add delicate vegetables, like spinach or peas, after pressure cooking to keep them from becoming overly soft and mushy.

Nutrition Table