If you’re searching for the coziest, most satisfying bowl of chicken soup to warm you up from the inside out, look no further: Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup is here to deliver pure comfort in record time. Each spoonful features tender chunks of chicken, hearty vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a dreamy broth that is rich without being heavy. Prepared entirely in your Instant Pot, this recipe manages to be incredibly easy without sacrificing any of the flavor or texture you crave from a homemade creamy soup. If you need a quick weeknight meal or simply longing for that homemade touch, this soup deserves a spot in your regular rotation.

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup is just how unfussy and accessible the ingredient list is. Each element brings something important: color, flavor, heartiness, or that irresistible creaminess. Let’s peek at what you’ll need before getting started:

Olive oil: Adds a hint of richness for sautéing and helps the vegetables bloom with flavor.
Onion: Diced onion forms the aromatic backbone that quietly enhances every bite.
Garlic: Just a couple of cloves pack a big punch of savory aroma.
Carrots: Sliced carrots offer color, sweetness, and a satisfying bite.
Celery: These stalks are classic for soups and add gentle crunch and earthiness.
Chicken breasts or thighs: Choose your favorite for maximum tenderness; thighs provide more flavor, breasts stay lean.
Chicken broth: The literal and figurative base of the dish, use quality broth for best results.
Dried thyme: Brings a touch of warmth and herbaceousness to every spoonful.
Dried oregano: Adds subtle aromatic depth that complements the chicken and veggies.
Salt: Essential for unlocking all the flavors in the pot.
Black pepper: Balances and brightens with a gentle warmth.
Paprika: For a mild smoky undertone and appealing color.
Heavy cream: The key to dreamy creaminess, making this soup a true comfort dish.
Milk: Helps lighten the cream and keeps the soup velvety without being too rich.
All-purpose flour (optional): For those who love a thicker chowder-style soup, this is your secret weapon.
Lemon juice: Just a splash brightens the whole pot and keeps the flavors lively.
Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and freshness right at the end.

How to Make Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Start your Instant Pot on Sauté mode and add the olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, toss in the diced onion and let it cook until beautifully soft and golden, about 2–3 minutes. Now, stir in the garlic, carrots, and celery—let them mingle for another couple of minutes until they’re a little tender and smelling incredible. This gentle cooking draws out their natural sweetness and starts building the soulful base for your Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup.

Step 2: Layer in the Chicken and Broth

Nestle your chicken breasts (or thighs, if you love a richer soup) right on top of the veggies, then pour the chicken broth all around. Sprinkle in the thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and paprika. These herbs and spices will infuse the broth, creating the deep, savory flavor profile that makes this soup so special. Cancel Sauté mode so everything is ready for pressure cooking.

Step 3: Pressure Cook Everything

Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes; after that, let the pressure naturally release for another 10 minutes before carefully quick-releasing any remaining pressure. This gives the chicken time to become fall-apart tender while the vegetables turn perfectly soft and flavorful. The aroma at this stage will have you counting down the minutes!

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Open the Instant Pot and, using tongs, transfer the chicken to a plate. Grab two forks and shred the chicken easily; it will be so tender that it all but falls apart at the touch. This not only makes each bite more enjoyable, but it helps the chicken soak up even more creamy broth when you add it back in.

Step 5: Add Cream, Milk, and (if using) Flour

In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, and optional flour if you want the soup extra thick. Pour this creamy mixture into your soup, giving everything a gentle stir. Return the shredded chicken, turn your Instant Pot back to Sauté, and cook for another 3–5 minutes as the soup thickens into a truly lush consistency. Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup is now creamy, hearty, and ready for its finishing touches.

Step 6: Finish with Lemon and Parsley

Right before serving, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and the chopped parsley. The lemon’s acidity lifts all the flavors, while the parsley infuses an extra hit of brightness and color. Stir, taste, and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Your soup is now ready for its spotlight moment!

How to Serve Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup

Garnishes

This soup deserves a grand finish! A final sprinkle of chopped parsley adds that garden-fresh touch. For those who like a little zip, a swirl of extra lemon juice or even a sprinkle of grated Parmesan takes each bowl up a notch. Fresh cracked black pepper is always welcome, too.

Side Dishes

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup truly shines as the centerpiece of any meal, but it loves to be paired with a crusty loaf of bread, a warm biscuit, or classic saltine crackers for dipping. Feeling extra? Serve it alongside a simple green salad with vinaigrette to balance out the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Ladle your soup into wide, shallow bowls for maximum garnish opportunity, or serve it in a mug for cozy sipping by the fire. If you’re entertaining, try serving small portions in demitasse cups or mini glasses topped with microgreens as an elegant appetizer. Adding rice or cooked egg noodles just before serving transforms it into a stick-to-your-ribs meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to four days, and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Freezing

This soup freezes surprisingly well, but for the best texture, freeze before adding the cream and milk mixture. If you freeze it fully finished, just be sure to thaw gently; a bit of stirring as it reheats will bring the creamy texture right back. Store portions in freezer-safe containers for up to three months and label with the date.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the soup gently in a pot over low heat, stirring often. If the soup has thickened a lot in the fridge or freezer, add a splash of broth or milk to return it to your favorite consistency. Microwaving works, too—just use a lower power setting and stop to stir every so often to keep things creamy and even.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken for Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup?

Absolutely! Stir in shredded cooked chicken after the pressure-cooking step for all the same flavor with even less prep. Just let it warm through as you add the cream at the end.

Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute dairy-free milk and cream, such as coconut milk or a plain, unsweetened plant milk. The texture will change slightly, but you’ll still get a luxuriously creamy soup.

What can I substitute for flour to keep this gluten-free?

You can use cornstarch, tapioca starch, or simply skip the flour altogether if you don’t mind a slightly thinner soup—Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup is naturally gluten-free if you leave out the optional thickener or swap with a gluten-free option.

Can I add more vegetables?

Of course! Feel free to toss in frozen peas, diced potatoes, small corn kernels, or spinach leaves just before the finish. This soup is incredibly flexible and loves a little extra color and nutrition.

How do I make this soup extra hearty?

Stir in cooked rice, egg noodles, or even small pasta shapes at the end, just before serving. These additions make the soup comforting enough to be a full meal on their own.

Final Thoughts

This Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup is exactly the kind of recipe you’ll return to again and again—simple, soothing, and deeply satisfying. If you’ve ever craved the classic taste of homemade chicken soup blended with creamy goodness but didn’t want to spend all day by the stove, this is the answer. Give it a try—you’ll love how quickly it comes together and how good it makes you feel!

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Warm up with a comforting bowl of Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Soup. This easy-to-make soup is loaded with tender chicken, vegetables, and a creamy broth that’s perfect for chilly days. Serve it with some crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika

For the Cream:

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot, sauté onion until softened. Add garlic, carrots, and celery.
Cook Chicken: Add chicken, broth, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and paprika. Pressure cook for 10 mins, then shred chicken.
Add Cream Mixture: Whisk cream, milk, and flour (if using). Stir into the soup, cook until thickened.
Finish: Stir in lemon juice, parsley. Serve hot.