Instant Pot Soul Soothing Soup

Instant Pot Feel Better Soup is your go-to recipe for those days when you need a warm hug in a bowl. Crafted with either fresh chicken or convenient rotisserie meat, vibrant vegetables, and aromatic cilantro, this soup is designed to nourish your body and lift your spirits. If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food when you’re feeling under the weather, look no further. This recipe is also perfect for your Ninja Foodi pressure cooker!

The Best Soup for a Cold and Sore Throat

There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of homemade soup to bring comfort and relief. This particular recipe consistently wins over hearts (and tummies!) in our home whenever someone isn’t feeling their best. We’re thrilled to share this cherished family recipe with you. Whether you prefer to simmer it traditionally on the stovetop or utilize the speed and efficiency of your pressure cooker, the results will be a perfectly cooked, soul-soothing meal.

This heartwarming concoction is generously packed with lean protein from chicken, a medley of wholesome vegetables, and a burst of freshness from cilantro. While you could simply call it chicken and potato soup, we believe “Feel Better Soup” perfectly captures its essence and the relief it brings. Plus, it’s an incredibly easy Ninja Foodi recipe to master, making meal prep a breeze even on challenging days.

Maximizing Your Pressure Cooking Experience

If you’re new to the world of pressure cooking, welcome! We offer a treasure trove of simple, one-pot meal recipes designed to make your culinary journey enjoyable and efficient. To get you started on the right foot, here are a few fundamental tips for using your Instant Pot or any modern pressure cooker:

• Ensure you bookmark our comprehensive Instant Pot recipes page. We regularly update it with exciting new dishes every week!
• For mastering cooking times, we highly recommend printing this handy Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. It’s an invaluable guide to understanding how long various meats, vegetables, and beans need to cook in your pressure cooker.
• To enhance your cooking experience and minimize sticking, I personally recommend investing in a quality non-stick inner pot. It makes a significant difference.
  • While it’s essential to know how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing, a non-stick liner greatly reduces potential issues and simplifies cleanup.

For your reference, the Instant Pot model I frequently use for all my recipe creations is a 6-quart capacity, a versatile size perfect for most families.

Understanding the Healing Power of Feel Better Soup

As colder seasons approach, it’s common for sniffles to start, and for upset stomachs to make an unwelcome appearance. This signals the perfect time to turn to comforting and healing soups for the cold and flu season! Our Feel Better Soup is specifically designed to address these common ailments, offering a natural and delicious way to support your recovery.

Does Chicken Soup Really Help with Colds?

Absolutely! The benefits of chicken soup for colds are not just old wives’ tales; they are backed by experience and even some scientific understanding. The warm, hydrating liquid helps to thin mucus and can alleviate congestion, making it easier to breathe. Furthermore, the salt content in the broth helps to soothe irritated throats, providing much-needed comfort. The steam emanating from a hot bowl of soup also acts as a natural decongestant, clearing nasal passages.

What makes this recipe incredibly adaptable is the choice of meat. It excels as a fabulous leftover chicken recipe, allowing you to whip it up in under 20 minutes with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Alternatively, you can start with fresh chicken breasts, sautéing them directly in your pressure cooker for a truly one-pot experience from start to finish. Modern pressure cookers like the Instant Pot are truly amazing, transforming meal prep with their efficiency. I’ve personally experimented with many brands, and can confidently say that the Crock Pot Express, Mealthy, and of course, the Ninja Foodi, all perform wonderfully. Give it a try with whatever brand you own!

For those preferring a meat-free option, this soup remains remarkably delicious and beneficial. Without the chicken, you still harness the clearing and soothing properties of the other ingredients, though we do recommend including protein for added sustenance, especially when recovering. If using rotisserie chicken, simply separate all the meat from the bones and discard the skin for a healthier option. The next step involves blending some key ingredients to achieve a smoother, more integrated flavor profile, which contributes significantly to the “feel better” aspect.

Key Ingredients for Your Healing Feel Better Soup

The magic of this soup lies in its thoughtful combination of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in both flavor and its soothing properties:

1. Rotisserie Chicken or Fresh Chicken Breasts: Provides easy, shredded protein. If using fresh, two large boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal.
2. Fresh Cilantro: Adds a vibrant, fresh, and slightly pungent flavor that is characteristic of this soup.
3. Chicken Broth or Stock: The nourishing liquid base that carries all the flavors and provides hydration.
4. Frozen Peas and Carrots: A convenient way to add essential vitamins, fiber, and sweetness. Mixed vegetables can also be used.
5. Poblano Pepper and Serrano Pepper (Optional but Recommended): These peppers are the secret weapon for clearing congestion. They add a mild, earthy warmth without being overwhelmingly spicy.
6. Lime: A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end brightens the flavors and adds a dose of Vitamin C.
7. Mini Potatoes: Yellow mini potatoes work best, adding a comforting, starchy element that thickens the soup slightly.
8. Garlic: A powerful aromatic with known immune-boosting properties.
9. Onion: Forms the aromatic foundation of the soup, adding depth of flavor.
10. Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste.

Customizing Your Feel Better Soup: Ingredients & Substitutions

One of the beauties of this Feel Better Soup recipe is its incredible flexibility. You can easily tailor it to your personal preferences or what you have on hand. The peppers, particularly the serrano, are key for their sinus-clearing properties, providing that gentle kick. However, if you prefer less heat, feel free to reduce the amount or omit the serrano entirely. Conversely, for more heat, you can add an extra serrano or a pinch of red pepper flakes. Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking, and don’t hesitate to incorporate any other seasonings or herbs that you enjoy and believe would enhance the flavor profile. Tasting and adjusting as you go is key to achieving your perfect bowl of comfort.

The Science Behind Soup’s Healing Properties

It’s more than just a feeling; there’s real science suggesting why chicken soup is so effective when you’re sick. Studies have indicated that a warm bowl of chicken soup can indeed help clear nasal congestion by promoting the movement of nasal fluids. Furthermore, its components may possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can help ease common cold symptoms like body aches and general discomfort. The addition of poblano and serrano peppers in our recipe seems to amplify these nasal-clearing effects, providing a gentle decongestant action without making the soup overly spicy. This thoughtful combination works synergistically to offer comprehensive relief.

Adapting the Soup for an Upset Stomach

If you’re experiencing symptoms of an upset stomach, a slightly modified version of this soup can still offer relief. Consider adding a bit of fresh ginger to the broth, known for its powerful anti-nausea properties, and perhaps skip the peppers entirely to keep it mild. Turmeric is another fantastic addition, celebrated for its anti-inflammatory benefits that can help soothe an irritated digestive system. Beyond soup, here are a few other simple tips for an upset stomach:

1. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is crucial, as dehydration can exacerbate stomach pain and discomfort.
2. Avoid Lying Down: Remaining upright after eating can help prevent reflux and ease digestion.
3. Try a Bit of Mint: Peppermint tea or a few fresh mint leaves can naturally calm the stomach.
4. Apply Warmth: A warm bath or a heating pad placed on your abdomen can provide soothing relief from cramps.

Remember, this soup is incredibly versatile. You can easily omit or substitute ingredients to suit your needs, while keeping the nourishing base consistent. Tweak small bits here and there to create your perfect personalized healing bowl.

More Comforting Soups to Help You Feel Better

Beyond this fantastic Instant Pot Feel Better Soup, we have a wealth of other Instant Pot soup recipes that are perfect for when you’re feeling under the weather. Sometimes, what you truly need is a taste of home, a recipe that reminds you of what your Grandma or mother used to make:

• Egg Drop Soup is always a gentle and comforting choice, light yet satisfying.
• Our Instant Pot Minestrone Soup is a healthy and budget-friendly option, packed with vegetables and beans.
• Once you’re feeling a little stronger, our Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup offers a delicious and hearty meal that’s sure to please.

And, of course, don’t forget our classic Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup! It’s the quintessential feel-better remedy. For a quick overview of how to make our Feel Better Soup, here’s a rundown. A detailed printable recipe card is also available further down this page.

How to Make Instant Pot Feel Better Chicken Soup

This simple, yet incredibly effective recipe utilizes the efficiency of your pressure cooker to deliver a warm, healing meal in no time:

• Step 1: Prepare the Aromatics. Place diced onion, poblano pepper, serrano pepper (if using), and minced garlic into a blender. Add 2 cups of chicken broth and blend until the mixture is smooth.
• Step 2: Combine in Pressure Cooker. Pour the blended mixture into your pressure cooker pot. Add shredded chicken (from a rotisserie chicken, with skin and bones discarded) to the pot. If using fresh chicken breasts, cut them into bite-sized pieces and add them now. Pour in the remaining chicken broth.
• Step 3: Add Potatoes. Add the washed and quartered small yellow potatoes to the pot. Mix all the contents gently to combine.
• Step 4: Pressure Cook. Secure the lid on your pressure cooker and ensure the steam valve is sealed. Set the cooker to high pressure for 8 minutes. Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of the steam.
• Step 5: Add Vegetables. Open the lid and stir the ingredients. Set the pressure cooker to sauté mode. Add the frozen peas and carrots. Allow the soup to bubble and cook for about 3 minutes, or until the vegetables reach your desired tenderness.
• Step 6: Prepare Cilantro-Lime Finish. In your blender, combine 1/3 cup of water, the fresh juice from one lime, and the cilantro leaves from one fresh bunch. Pulse until well blended into a vibrant green mixture.
• Step 7: Finish and Serve. Pour the cilantro-lime mixture into the hot soup. Turn off the pressure cooker to prevent overcooking, allowing the residual heat to warm through the added mixture. Stir until everything is well combined and serve immediately.

We sincerely hope this Instant Pot Feel Better Soup brings you comfort and aids in your speedy recovery. Enjoy this nourishing bowl of goodness!