Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup

This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is ultra cozy and loaded with hearty wild rice and healthy veggies like mushrooms, carrots, and celery. It’s a great way to repurpose leftover chicken (or turkey!), and it takes just 3 minutes of cooking time! You’ll have a fabulous dinner on the table in about 20 minutes, flat!

Why It Works

This ain’t your momma’s chicken soup! No, this chicken and rice soup is anything but ordinary. It’s rich, healthy, and absolutely delicious, not to mention super easy to make.

It’s filling without being heavy, so it’s absolutely perfect for chilly, cozy nights! And it totally transforms Thanksgiving leftovers or store-bought rotisserie chicken into something truly special. But how?

Well, this chicken and rice soup is loaded with hearty, savory mushrooms, sweet carrots, tender wild rice, and it’s flavored with rich Italian seasonings.

And because it’s made in the Instant Pot (my favorite kitchen tool for everything from chicken fajitas to cauliflower mash), it comes together in about 20 minutes! Yup, you’re only 20 minutes away from enjoying this fabulous recipe in real life.

The rice comes out perfectly tender, the veggies have beautiful color and life, and the meat is flavorful and moist. Every bite is better than the last!

I promise, this chicken and rice soup is the best and easiest meal ever!

🍄 Ingredients

Ingredients Notes & Substitutions:

Not only is this recipe incredibly simple, but it’s just as forgiving. You can use chicken or turkey interchangeably, add extra vegetables, or substitute any other kind of rice you enjoy.

• You can use cooked chicken or turkey, but if you want to use raw chicken, that’s great! You won’t have to make any changes to the cooking time.
• You can substitute jasmine rice, brown rice, or any other kind of rice. Feel free to substitute the same amount.
• Use chicken or Vegetable Broth interchangeably.
• The Italian Seasoning is a quick homemade blend of dried oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.

🔪 Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Do the prep work.

Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Slice the carrots, mushrooms, and celery into thin rounds. Don’t forget to save the scraps to make a homemade broth later!

Next, measure out the rice and transfer it to a mesh strainer. Rinse the rice well under cold water, using your hands or a spoon to mix it as it washes. Keep on rinsing the rice until the water runs clear.

Last, grab your chicken or turkey and dice it into bite-sized pieces that can easily fit on a spoon.

Step 2: Saute the vegetables.

Now comes the easy part! Grab your trusty Instant Pot and turn it to Saute mode. Add the oil, and saute the vegetables in for about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Cook the soup.

Add the broth, chicken or turkey, rice, and seasonings, and give it a good stir.

Put the lid on and turn it to High pressure. Cook the soup for 3 minutes (yup, just three!!!). Trust your friend Laura – 3 minutes is more than enough time to cook the vegetables to tender perfection and make your rice nice and fluffy.

Once the cook time is over, let the Instant Pot naturally release the steam for 10 minutes (This is called a Natural Pressure Release or NPR). All that means is you do nothing, and simply wait for 10 minutes.

Once the 10 minutes is up, press or turn the steam release valve to let out any remaining steam, then carefully open the lid.

Guess what? Your soup is done! Get ready to dig in. Season generously with salt and pepper and serve with crusty bread, crackers, or all by itself.

Slow Cooker Adaptation

Follow step 1, then mix all the ingredients together in your Slow Cooker and cover. Cook on High heat for 3 hours or Low heat for 5-6 hours. Season to taste and enjoy!

ℹ️ Expert Tips

• To ensure even cooking, try to cut all the vegetables close to the same size.
• Be sure to rinse the rice really well before cooking.
• If using raw chicken or turkey, you do not need to adjust the cooking time. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces before adding it to the Instant Pot in step 2.
• Once the cooking time is over, let the Instant Pot naturally release the steam for 10 minutes (This is called a Natural Pressure Release or NPR).
• Wait until after cooking to season with salt and pepper. The saltiness of different broths and Italian seasoning blends can vary quite a bit, plus the rice will absorb a good amount of the liquid, which all affects the saltiness of the soup.
• To store: Transfer the soup to an airtight container or bag and store it in the refrigerator. For best taste, reheat and eat the soup within 24 hours, but it will keep for 3-4 days, per USDA. Rice will continue to absorb liquid over time, so the sooner you eat it, the better it’ll taste.

More Healthy Soup Recipes

• Instant Pot Mexican Vegetable Soup. A hearty and filling vegetarian soup.
• Classic Ham & Lentils Soup. Made with leftover ham, it’s so comforting and absolutely delicious!
• Turkey Meatball & Zucchini Soup. This soup is Paleo and Whole30 compatible!
• Sausage, Spinach & Tortellini Soup. A family favorite that comes together in about 20 minutes total!

I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe!
Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.