There’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, especially when you’re feeling under the weather. This easy Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup recipe delivers all the rich, slow-simmered flavor you crave, but in a fraction of the time. Imagine a hearty, nutrient-packed soup that tastes like it cooked all day, but goes from fridge to table in around an hour! Our secret lies in using a whole chicken, which creates an incredibly rich, immune-boosting broth and ensures tender, succulent chicken with every bite. Whether you’re seeking a traditional comfort food or exploring dietary alternatives like paleo chicken noodle soup with zoodles, this versatile recipe has you covered. Plus, we’ve included instructions for stovetop and slow cooker methods, so you can enjoy this delicious soup no matter what equipment you have.
The Unmatched Appeal of Our Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
This isn’t just any chicken noodle soup; it’s a culinary hug in a bowl, designed for maximum comfort, nutrition, and convenience. Here’s why this particular recipe stands out as the best choice for your next meal:
- Pressure Cooker Perfection: The Instant Pot transforms what is typically an all-day affair into a quick and efficient cooking experience. Pressure cooking locks in flavors, creating a depth and richness in the broth that usually takes hours of simmering. This means you get that satisfying, slow-cooked taste in roughly an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a speedy remedy.
- True Homemade Goodness, Simplified: Say goodbye to bland, canned soups. This recipe is 100% homemade, giving you complete control over the quality of your ingredients and the intensity of flavor. Not only is it incredibly easy to prepare from scratch, but it’s also remarkably cost-effective compared to store-bought alternatives, ensuring you get the freshest, most flavorful soup possible.
- Nutrient-Dense Bone Broth for Wellness: Utilizing a whole chicken is key to this soup’s nourishing power. As the chicken cooks, its bones release collagen, minerals, and amino acids, creating a natural bone broth. This rich broth is renowned for its immune-boosting properties, gut-healing benefits, and ability to aid recovery when you’re feeling unwell. It’s the ultimate comfort food for body and soul.
- Effortlessly Adaptable for Every Diet: We understand that dietary needs vary. This easy chicken noodle soup recipe is incredibly versatile. For a gluten-free chicken noodle soup, simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta. If you’re following a paleo or low-carb lifestyle, swap traditional pasta for fresh zoodles (zucchini noodles) or even palmini pasta for a keto-friendly option.
Essential Ingredients for a Flavorful Broth
The magic of this Instant Pot chicken noodle soup lies in its wholesome, simple ingredients that come together to create an unforgettable flavor profile. Each component plays a crucial role in building the rich taste and comforting texture:
The Star: A Whole Chicken
Using a whole chicken is truly the cornerstone of this exceptional soup. While chicken breasts or thighs can work in a pinch, a whole chicken contributes unparalleled depth to the broth. As it cooks, the bones, cartilage, and marrow release gelatin and essential minerals, transforming plain water into a golden, silky, and nutrient-rich bone broth. This process not only enriches the flavor but also yields a variety of tender meat – both white and dark – which is much more satisfying than uniform pieces of breast meat. The natural fats render into the broth, adding another layer of savory deliciousness. Post-cooking, simply shred the succulent meat and return it to the soup, discarding the bones and any unwanted giblets (though some prefer to save them for stock).
Aromatic Foundation: Mirepoix and Garlic
Every great soup begins with a robust aromatic base. Our Instant Pot chicken noodle soup is no exception, relying on the classic French mirepoix – a flavorful blend of diced onion, carrots, and celery – enhanced with pungent garlic. Sautéing these vegetables in a little oil before adding the chicken and water is a critical step. This initial sauté softens the vegetables, allowing their natural sugars to caramelize slightly and their essential oils to release, creating a sweet and savory foundation that infuses the entire broth with layers of complexity. Garlic adds a warm, spicy undertone that complements the chicken perfectly and offers additional immune-boosting properties.
The Comfort of Noodles (and Alternatives)
What’s chicken noodle soup without the noodles? We love fusilli for its fun spiral shape that holds onto the broth beautifully, but the beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Feel free to use your favorite pasta shape – classic egg noodles are always a fantastic choice, or opt for ditalini, small shells, or macaroni. For those with dietary restrictions, the options are plentiful. Gluten-free noodles perform wonderfully, ensuring everyone can enjoy this classic comfort food. For a paleo or low-carb chicken noodle soup, zucchini noodles (zoodles) are an excellent, fresh alternative, adding a touch of green and extra vegetables. Just remember to add zoodles right before serving to maintain their texture.
Herb and Spice Harmony
Beyond the core ingredients, a selection of herbs and spices elevates this soup from good to extraordinary. Bay leaves contribute a subtle, earthy, and slightly floral note that is quintessential to chicken broth. A few black peppercorns add a gentle warmth and spice, complementing the savory chicken. Pink or grey salt, with its natural mineral content, enhances all the flavors without making the soup overly salty. Finally, a generous amount of fresh parsley stirred in at the end brightens the entire dish with its vibrant, herbaceous flavor and beautiful green color. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is the ultimate finishing touch, cutting through the richness and adding a delightful tang that awakens the palate. These simple additions create a harmonious blend that makes this homemade chicken noodle soup truly irresistible.
Why Chicken Noodle Soup is the Ultimate Comfort Food and Healing Remedy
Chicken noodle soup isn’t just delicious; it holds a special place in our hearts as the ultimate comfort food and a time-honored remedy for when we’re feeling unwell. For generations, this humble soup has been passed down as a go-to solution for colds, flu, and general malaise, and for good reason.
Beyond its nostalgic warmth, there’s scientific backing to its healing reputation. The warm broth helps to clear nasal passages and hydrate the body, which is crucial when battling an illness. The protein from the chicken provides essential amino acids for tissue repair and immune function, while the nutrient-rich vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions deliver vitamins and antioxidants that support overall health. Our Instant Pot chicken noodle soup, with its natural bone broth from a whole chicken, amplifies these benefits, providing easily digestible nutrients that your body can readily absorb. It’s a nourishing concoction that soothes the throat, calms the stomach, and provides a gentle energy boost, making it the perfect restorative meal when you need it most. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a bowl full of care and tradition.
Expert Tips for Your Best Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
To ensure your homemade chicken noodle soup turns out perfect every time, keep these expert tips in mind. They’ll help you maximize flavor, optimize texture, and make the cooking process even smoother:
Sourcing Quality Chicken: Whenever possible, opt for organic chicken that hasn’t been raised on antibiotics. Not only does this contribute to a healthier meal, but organic chicken often yields a superior flavor for your broth and more tender meat. The quality of your primary ingredient significantly impacts the overall taste of your soup.
Perfecting Your Pasta or Zoodles: If you’re using traditional pasta, pay close attention to its cooking time as different shapes and brands can vary. For the best texture, ensure it’s al dente. If you’re preparing zoodles for a paleo or low-carb version, remember to completely skip the pasta steps. Zucchini noodles cook very quickly and can become mushy if overcooked. For optimal texture and freshness, portion them directly into individual serving bowls first, then ladle the hot soup over them just before serving. The heat from the broth will gently warm them without turning them soft.
Storage and Meal Prep Made Easy: This Instant Pot chicken noodle soup is fantastic for meal prep! Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat portions on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through, or use the microwave. If you anticipate having a lot of leftovers, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual servings to prevent it from becoming overly soft or absorbing too much broth during storage.
Versatile Cooking Methods: Don’t have an Instant Pot? No problem! This delicious homemade chicken noodle soup is easily adaptable. We’ve included detailed instructions in the recipe card notes for both stovetop and slow cooker methods, allowing you to achieve the same rich flavor and tender chicken using your preferred kitchen appliance. Whether it’s the quick convenience of the Instant Pot, the hands-on control of the stovetop, or the set-it-and-forget-it ease of a slow cooker, you can still enjoy this hearty soup.
Explore More Delicious Soup Recipes
If you’ve loved this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of soup recipes spans a wide range of flavors and cooking styles. From light and refreshing options to hearty and indulgent bowls, there’s a soup for every occasion and palate. Dive into these other fantastic recipes and discover your next favorite comfort food:
- Chilled Avocado Soup
- Oyster Brie Soup (from Disney World’s Hollywood Brown Derby)
- Shrimp Bisque
- Buffalo Chicken Soup
- Italian Meatball Soup with Homemade Meatballs
- Wonton Egg Drop Soup
- She Crab Soup
- McAlister’s Chicken Tortilla Soup Copycat
- Easy Black Bean Soup
- Instant Pot French Onion Soup
- Chicken and Rice Soup
- The Best Lobster Bisque (Ruth’s Chris Copycat Recipe)
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Soup
- Best Ever Tom Kha Gai Soup (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup, Whole30, Paleo)
- Whole30 Lasagna Soup
- Healthy Zuppa Toscana (Whole30, Paleo, Dairy Free)
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Cheryl Malik
Equipment
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Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon refined coconut oil or avocado or olive oil
- 1 medium white onion chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 5 carrots sliced on the diagonal into ½-inch pieces
- 4 stalks celery sliced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 whole chicken about 5 pounds, giblets removed and discarded or saved for another use
- 8 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon pink or grey salt
- freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 ½ – 2 cups fusilli or other pasta, see Notes for alternatives
- ½ cup fresh parsley minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
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Turn Instant Pot to Sauté and heat 1 tablespoon oil in pot. Add onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
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Add garlic, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 1-2 more minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and celery is beginning to soften.
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Place whole chicken on top of vegetables, then pour in water, bay leaves, peppercorns, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
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Secure lid and set to Manual High Pressure for 20 minutes.
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When timer is up, Quick Release lid carefully. Carefully transfer whole chicken to a large cutting board, keeping an eye open for any liquid from the cavity. It will be very hot!
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Turn Instant Pot on Sauté mode. Add pasta.
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While pasta cooks, with two forks, shred chicken off the bone. When pasta is tender, return chicken pieces to soup, discarding bones. Stir in fresh parsley and fresh lemon juice.
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Add more salt or pepper to taste.
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Portion into bowls and serve hot.
- You can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken if you’d prefer. A whole chicken will give you a variety of light and dark meat, plus tons of nutrients in the broth.
- Make it Paleo: Use zoodles instead of pasta.
- Make it Gluten Free: Use gluten free pasta.
- Make it Low Carb: Use zoodles or a low carb pasta.
- Make it Keto: Use zoodles, miracle noodles, or palmini pasta.
For a Stovetop Method
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Place a large pot on stove over medium heat and and 1 Tbsp. oil . Add onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 1-2 more minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and celery is beginning to soften.
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Place whole chicken on top of vegetables, then pour in water, bay leaves, peppercorns, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Bring to boil and let simmer about 45 minutes to an hour or until cooked through and tender. You can also use 4 chicken thighs for a quicker soup; they will only take about 40 minutes to boil.
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Carefully transfer chicken to a large cutting board, keeping an eye on any liquid from the cavity if using a whole chicken. It will be very hot!
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Add gluten-free pasta to pot.
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While pasta cooks, with two forks, shred chicken off the bone. When pasta is tender, return chicken pieces to soup, discarding bones. Stir in fresh parsley and fresh lemon juice. Add more salt or pepper to taste. Serve.
For a Slow Cooker Method
- You’ll want to sauté the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery as written in the recipe, then add all the ingredients, except for the noodles and parsley, to your slow cooker.
- Cover and cook until the chicken is cooked through, with the meat falling off the bone. This will take about 6 hours on High or 8 hours on Low.
- Remove chicken and shred. While you shred the chicken, add the pasta to the slow cooker. Cook the pasta on low about 20-30 minutes or until cooked. Return the chicken to the soup, add parsley, and warm through, then serve.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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