Are you craving a hearty, creamy soup that comes together in less than an hour? Get ready to fall in love with the most soul-warming, flavor-packed Instant Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup that will have your family begging for seconds! This restaurant-quality recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious meal that's not just delicious, but incredibly easy to make – perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, chop the onion, and dice the carrots and celery. Rinse the wild rice under cold water to remove any debris.
- Set your Instant Pot to the 'Sauté' mode. Once hot, add a splash of olive oil. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
- Next, add the diced chicken breast to the pot. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on the outside.
- Stir in the rinsed wild rice, followed by the chicken broth. Add the thyme, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and ensure the valve is set to 'Sealing'. Select the 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' setting and set the cooking time for 30 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully switch the valve to 'Venting' to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and stir the soup. It may look a bit thick; this is normal as the wild rice absorbs a lot of liquid. Add the heavy cream and stir well to incorporate it into the soup.
- Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add a little more chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your comforting Instant Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup!
Tips
- Rice Perfection: Always rinse your wild rice before cooking to remove any excess starch and prevent a gummy texture.
- Chicken Tip: For extra tender chicken, cut it into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Cream Consistency: Add heavy cream at the end of cooking to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, rich texture.
- Liquid Adjustment: Wild rice absorbs a lot of liquid, so don't be alarmed if the soup seems thick. You can always add more broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Flavor Boost: For an extra depth of flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth or adding a splash of white wine during the sautéing stage.
- Storage Hack: This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep all ingredients in advance and store them in the refrigerator, making weeknight cooking a breeze!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 95mg
