This Instant Pot high-protein chicken soup is a game-changer for anyone looking for a healthy, satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare.

Instant Pot High-Protein Chicken Soup: Healthy & Filling for Weight Loss 16

It’s designed to be both delicious and incredibly filling, making it an excellent choice for weight loss or simply maintaining a balanced diet. You’ll love how easily it comes together, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week ahead.

This recipe focuses on lean protein and wholesome ingredients, delivering a comforting bowl of soup without any guilt. It’s a healthy filling soup recipe that truly nourishes your body and keeps you feeling full longer. Whether you’re new to Instant Pot cooking or a seasoned pro, this dish will become a fast favorite in your kitchen.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This Instant Pot high-protein chicken soup is a fantastic addition to any meal plan because it hits all the right notes for convenience, health, and flavor. It’s perfect for individuals and families who need a nutritious meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. The Instant Pot does most of the heavy lifting, ensuring a tender, flavorful soup in a fraction of the time it would take on the stovetop.

This recipe is particularly well-suited for those focusing on weight management, as it’s packed with lean protein from chicken breast and plenty of vegetables, which contribute to satiety without excess calories. It’s also an excellent choice for meal prepping; you can make a large batch on the weekend and enjoy healthy lunches or dinners throughout the week. Serve it as a light main course, a hearty appetizer, or a comforting meal on a chilly evening. Its versatility and ease make it a go-to recipe for busy parents, health-conscious eaters, and anyone craving a warm, nourishing bowl.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh produce that are easy to find at any grocery store. The beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity and the wholesome nature of its components, ensuring a delicious and healthy outcome every time.

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Salt to taste

When selecting your ingredients, opt for low-sodium chicken broth to better control the overall salt content of your soup. If you don’t have fresh garlic, a teaspoon of garlic powder can be used as a substitute, though fresh is always preferred for flavor. For the pasta, any small, quick-cooking variety will work well; ditalini, small shells, or even broken spaghetti pieces are good options. If you want to boost the vegetable content further, feel free to add other quick-cooking veggies like chopped zucchini or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This Instant Pot high-protein chicken soup is designed for efficiency, making it perfect for those times when you need a nutritious meal without a long wait. The active preparation time is minimal, and the Instant Pot handles the cooking quickly and safely.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes (pressure cooking)
Total Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes (including pressure build-up and release)

The total time includes the few minutes it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and the natural release time, ensuring the chicken is perfectly cooked and the flavors are fully developed. This makes it a genuinely fast and family-friendly meal.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making this high-protein chicken soup in your Instant Pot is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a delicious and healthy meal that comes together with ease.

Sauté the Aromatics: Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. They should look slightly translucent and fragrant.
Add Garlic and Chicken: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Then, add the cubed chicken breasts to the pot. Stir to combine with the vegetables, but you don’t need to brown the chicken completely at this stage.
Introduce Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Add the dried thyme, dried rosemary, and black pepper. Stir everything together gently, making sure to scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot to prevent a “Burn” notice.
Pressure Cook the Soup: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing valve is in the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
Quick Release and Add Pasta: Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully turning the sealing valve to the “Venting” position. Once the float valve drops, remove the lid. The chicken should be cooked through and tender.
Cook the Pasta and Peas: Add the small pasta to the hot soup. Stir well and replace the lid (no need to seal or pressure cook again). Let it sit for 5-7 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, using the residual heat of the soup to cook it. Stir in the frozen peas during the last 2 minutes of the pasta cooking time.
Final Seasoning and Garnish: Taste the soup and add salt as needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This Instant Pot high-protein chicken soup is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to customize for different tastes and dietary needs. Here are some simple variations and serving suggestions to make it a regular in your meal rotation.

For a kid-friendly twist, you can use fun-shaped pasta like alphabet or star pasta. If your children are hesitant about certain vegetables, you can finely mince the carrots and celery so they blend more seamlessly into the soup. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese on top can also make it more appealing to younger eaters.

To add more greens, stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or kale during the last minute of cooking, after the pasta has cooked. The residual heat will wilt them perfectly. For an extra protein boost, consider adding a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans along with the pasta. If you prefer a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the dried herbs.

This soup is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve it with a crusty whole-grain bread for dipping, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette, or a few whole-wheat crackers. For a heartier meal, you could even add some cooked quinoa or brown rice directly into the soup bowls before serving. It’s also a great option for a casual buffet-style meal, allowing guests to serve themselves from a warm pot.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a straightforward recipe like this Instant Pot chicken soup, a few common mistakes can occur. Knowing how to avoid them will ensure your soup turns out perfectly every time.

One frequent issue is getting a “Burn” notice on your Instant Pot. This usually happens when food particles are stuck to the bottom of the pot, preventing proper pressure build-up. To avoid this, always deglaze the pot thoroughly after sautéing the vegetables and chicken by scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon when you add the broth. Ensure all browned bits are loosened.

Another common mistake is overcooking the pasta. Since the Instant Pot retains heat so well, the pasta will continue to cook even after the pressure is released. Adding the pasta after pressure cooking and letting it cook in the residual heat prevents it from becoming mushy. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly to an al dente texture.

Forgetting to adjust the seasoning at the end is another oversight. While the recipe calls for low-sodium broth, your taste buds might prefer a little more salt. Always taste the soup before serving and add salt and pepper as needed. The flavors can deepen as the soup sits, so a final taste test is crucial. Finally, ensure your sealing ring is properly seated in the Instant Pot lid to prevent steam from escaping and ensure the pot comes to pressure correctly.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This Instant Pot high-protein chicken soup is an excellent candidate for meal prepping and storing, making healthy eating even easier throughout the week. Proper storage will ensure it maintains its delicious flavor and texture.

To store leftover soup, allow it to cool completely at room temperature for no more than two hours. Once cooled, transfer the soup to airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.