Instant Pot Comfort Soup

Instant Pot Feel Better Soup is your ultimate go-to comfort food, perfect for those times when you need a little warmth and nourishment. This delightful recipe blends fresh or rotisserie chicken with a vibrant mix of vegetables and aromatic cilantro, all cooked to perfection in your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi pressure cooker. Whether you’re battling a cold, feeling under the weather, or simply craving a hearty, wholesome meal, this easy-to-make soup promises to bring comfort and help you feel better, fast.

The Best Instant Pot Soup for a Cold & Flu Season

When sniffles and sore throats strike, a warm, flavorful bowl of soup can be an incredible healer. This particular recipe has become a household favorite during cold and flu season, known for its ability to bring comfort and aid recovery. Its versatility allows it to be prepared on the stovetop for a traditional approach or effortlessly made in your pressure cooker, ensuring a perfect batch every time.

Our “Feel Better Soup” is generously loaded with tender chicken, wholesome vegetables, and a refreshing hint of cilantro. While you could simply call it chicken and potato soup, we believe its unique blend of comforting ingredients earns it a more special name. It’s also an incredibly adaptable Ninja Foodi recipe, making it accessible to those with different types of pressure cooking appliances.

What is the Best Soup for a Sore Throat?

When that familiar scratchy feeling starts, a warm, soothing soup can provide much-needed relief. Our Instant Pot Feel Better Soup is specifically crafted to tackle those uncomfortable symptoms of a sore throat. The gentle warmth of the broth and the anti-inflammatory properties of certain ingredients work together to calm irritation and ease swallowing. The peppers, while providing a delightful flavor, also offer a mild sinus-clearing effect, which can be particularly beneficial when your throat pain is accompanied by congestion.

Does Soup Really Help with Colds? Unpacking the Benefits

Absolutely, soup is a classic remedy for colds for several compelling reasons! The steaming hot liquid in soups, like this Instant Pot Feel Better Soup, acts as a natural decongestant, helping to thin mucus and clear nasal passages and chests. Furthermore, the salt content in the broth helps to soothe a scratchy or sore throat, providing temporary relief from discomfort. Beyond these immediate benefits, a warm bowl of soup promotes hydration, which is crucial when you’re sick, and its easily digestible ingredients ensure your body conserves energy for healing.

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to choose your preferred type of meat. It excels as a fabulous leftover chicken recipe, where you can transform a rotisserie chicken into a comforting meal in under 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can start with fresh chicken breasts, sautéing them directly in your Instant Pot before adding other ingredients, truly making it a one-pot wonder. Modern pressure cookers, including the Instant Pot, Crock Pot Express, Mealthy, and Ninja Foodi, all perform wonderfully, making this recipe accessible no matter your appliance brand. Don’t hesitate to give it a try!

Even if you prefer to omit the meat entirely, this soup remains highly beneficial. The combination of vegetables, herbs, and spices still offers many of the symptom-relieving properties, particularly for clearing your nasal passages. However, we do appreciate the added protein for its restorative qualities. If using a rotisserie chicken, simply remove all the meat from the bones and discard the skin for a healthier base. For a smoother broth, a portion of the onion, peppers, and garlic will be blended before being added to the pot.

Essential Feel Better Soup Ingredients

Crafting the perfect feel-better soup starts with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this nourishing and comforting dish:

1. Rotisserie Chicken: For ultimate convenience, or two large boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer to cook from scratch.
2. Fresh Cilantro: Adds a bright, herbaceous, and refreshing flavor that truly elevates the soup.
3. Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock: Forms the rich, flavorful base of your soup.
4. Frozen Peas and Carrots: A convenient way to add essential vegetables and color. You can also use a bag of frozen mixed vegetables.
5. Poblano Pepper and Serrano Pepper: These provide a wonderful depth of flavor and a gentle heat that helps clear sinuses.
6. Lime: Fresh lime juice adds a zesty brightness, cutting through the richness and enhancing the overall flavor.
7. Mini Potatoes: Small yellow potatoes, quartered, add a hearty, satisfying element to the soup.
8. Garlic: A foundational aromatic that adds robust flavor and boasts immune-boosting properties.
9. Onion: Another essential aromatic, providing a sweet and savory base.
10. Salt and Pepper: To season to perfection.

Customizing Your Feel Better Soup: Substitutions and Variations

This soup recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your personal taste preferences or what you have on hand. The poblano and serrano peppers are key for their ability to gently clear nasal passages and add a distinct flavor. However, if you prefer less heat, you can reduce the amount of serrano or omit it entirely. Conversely, if you enjoy more spice, consider adding an extra serrano or a pinch of red pepper flakes. Always remember to taste and adjust the seasonings, including salt and pepper, until the soup reaches your desired perfection.

The Science Behind Chicken Soup: Does It Actually Help When You’re Sick?

Indeed, scientific studies have explored the efficacy of chicken soup as a remedy for illness. Research suggests that a warm bowl of chicken soup can actively help to clear nasal congestion, thanks to its steam and the specific combination of ingredients. Beyond its physical warmth, chicken soup often contains ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease common cold symptoms. Our addition of poblano and serrano peppers into the mix appears to amplify this nasal-clearing effect without making the soup overwhelmingly spicy, contributing to a more comfortable breathing experience.

What Soup is Best for an Upset Stomach?

If you’re grappling with an upset stomach, a slightly different approach to your “feel better” soup might be beneficial. For these symptoms, consider adding a hint of fresh ginger to your soup, known for its powerful anti-nausea properties, and perhaps skip the peppers entirely to keep it mild. Turmeric is another excellent addition, often lauded for its anti-inflammatory benefits that can help soothe an achy tummy. Beyond dietary adjustments, here are other helpful tips for an upset stomach:

1. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is crucial, as dehydration can exacerbate stomach pain.
2. Avoid Lying Down: Remaining upright after eating can help prevent acid reflux and ease digestion.
3. Try a Bit of Mint: Peppermint tea or a small amount of fresh mint can have a calming effect on the digestive system.
4. Apply Warmth: A warm bath or a heating pad placed on your abdomen can provide soothing relief.

This soup is incredibly versatile. You can easily remove or substitute ingredients to cater to specific needs or preferences, always keeping the delicious, comforting base intact.

Beyond This Recipe: More Soups to Make You Feel Better When Sick

While our Feel Better Soup is a fantastic option, we understand that sometimes you crave different comforting flavors when you’re under the weather. We have a variety of other Instant Pot soup recipes that might remind you of Grandma’s kitchen or simply hit the spot:

• Egg Drop Soup: A light, delicate, and often soothing choice for upset stomachs.
• Our Instant Pot Minestrone Soup: A healthy, budget-friendly option packed with vegetables and pasta.
• When you’re starting to feel a little more robust, try our Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup for a comforting and satisfying meal.
• And, of course, the timeless classic: our Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, always a winner!

How to Make Instant Pot Feel Better Chicken Soup for a Cold

Get ready to whip up this healing soup in no time! Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to making our comforting Feel Better Soup in your Instant Pot. You’ll find a full, printable recipe card with exact measurements below.

• Begin by combining the diced onion, poblano pepper, serrano pepper (if using), and minced garlic in a blender. Add 2 cups of chicken broth, then blend until the mixture is smooth and pureed. This step creates a flavorful base and helps thicken the soup slightly.
• Carefully pour the pureed mixture into your Instant Pot. Next, add the shredded chicken (ensure it’s skinless). If you are using fresh chicken breasts, cut them into bite-sized pieces before adding them to the pot. Pour in the remaining chicken broth.
• Add the washed and quartered mini yellow potatoes to the pot. Stir all the contents gently to combine.
• Securely close the lid of your pressure cooker and ensure the steam release valve is set to the sealing position.
• Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) setting and set the cooking time to High pressure for 8 minutes. Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of the steam according to your appliance’s instructions.
• After the pressure has released, open the lid and stir the ingredients. Change the Instant Pot setting to “Sauté” mode. Add the frozen peas and carrots. Allow the soup to gently bubble and cook for about 3 minutes, or until the vegetables reach your desired tenderness.
• In a clean blender, combine 1/3 cup of water, the freshly squeezed juice from one lime, and the cilantro leaves from one fresh bunch. Pulse until all ingredients are well blended and a vibrant green cilantro mixture forms.
• Turn off the Instant Pot’s heat (cancel sauté mode). Pour the cilantro-lime mixture into the hot soup. The residual heat will warm the mixture without overcooking the delicate herbs.
• Stir everything until thoroughly combined. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy this bowl of soothing comfort!