The BEST Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Looking for a quick and comforting meal? This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup is the perfect one-pot meal. It’s made with simple ingredients and takes under 30 minutes to prepare. Whether you’re craving a classic chicken noodle soup on a cold day or a cozy flu-season recipe, this easy recipe is a must-try!

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

• Quick and effortless: There is no need for constant stirring or checking whether the chicken is fully cooked. Add all the ingredients to your Instant Pot, seal it, and let it work! In just a fraction of the time, you’ll have a warm, comforting bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup—no fuss, no stress!
• Perfectly tender chicken – The Instant Pot works its magic to make the chicken so tender that it effortlessly shreds with just two forks. No knife is required!
• One-pot meal: Everything cooks in a single pot, making cleanup super easy—no more piles of dishes! Years ago, I bought a cookbook called One-Pot Meals, and let me tell you, it became my go-to. With three kids and two adults constantly eating, I feel like washing dishes or loading the dishwasher all day! This soup is a total lifesaver.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup stores well in the fridge and freezes beautifully, making it great for meal prep ahead of time. But in my house, leftovers are rare—my kids love it so much they almost finish it in a day!
• Nutrient-rich—This soup is packed with protein from the chicken and lots of vitamins from the veggies, making it comforting and good for you, especially if you are fighting colds. It’s perfect for those following a clean eating routine or an anti-inflammatory diet! 

Ingredients for the Best Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup and Substitutions 

• 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ onion, diced – You can use yellow, white, or red onion. I keep it minimal because my kids aren’t big fans of too much onion in soup, but feel free to add more if you love the flavor!
• 2 medium carrots, sliced – If you’re out of fresh carrots, use frozen sliced or 1/2 cup shredded carrots.
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 tsp salt – feel free to adjust to taste.
• 1 tsp black pepper – You can use white pepper for a milder flavor or red pepper flakes for some heat.
• 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 tsp chicken bouillon paste dissolved in 4 cups of water – If you prefer a cleaner option, use 4 cups of homemade or store-bought chicken broth. For a lower-sodium version, choose a reduced-sodium broth or bouillon.
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken thigh – If you prefer leaner meat, swap it for boneless skinless chicken breasts or use bone-in chicken for richness and extra flavor (remove the bones before serving). My kids aren’t big fans of meat in soup—they eat everything except the meat! So, I use just one chicken thigh. If you have picky eaters, you might want to do the same. Feel free to adjust based on your preference!
• 4 cups water is the base of this healthy chicken noodle soup. Using broth instead of bouillon, you can reduce the water accordingly.
• 1 cup egg noodles – You can substitute with whole wheat noodles, gluten-free pasta, or even rice if you prefer a different texture. If using a different type of pasta, adjust the cooking time as needed.

How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup in the Instant Pot

• Sauté the Vegetables:
  • Turn the Instant Pot to the Saute setting.
  • Add extra virgin olive oil and sauté the onion, carrots, and celery for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
• Add the Chicken & Seasonings:
  • Place the chicken thigh in the pot.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Pour in 4 cups of water with the dissolved bouillon.
• Pressure Cooking:
  • Cancel Sauté mode and secure the lid.
  • Set to Pressure Cook (Manual) for 10 minutes on high pressure. My Instant Pot has a soup pressure cook button, and I set it up for 10 minutes of pressure cooking. It usually takes 15 minutes to build the pressure before the pressure cooking starts. 
  • After cooking, let it naturally release the pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
• Shred the Chicken & Cook the Noodles:
  • Remove the chicken thigh and shred it with two forks. The meat will be so tender that it falls apart with little effort! 
  • Switch the Instant Pot back to Sauté mode.
  • Add the egg noodles and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
• Finish & Serve:
  • Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftover soup in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
• Freezer: For extended storage, let the soup cool completely and freeze it in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Pro Tip: Freeze without the noodles to prevent them from getting mushy. Add fresh noodles when reheating.
• Stovetop: Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If the soup has thickened, add a splash of broth or water.
• Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• From frozen: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop or Instant Pot (Sauté mode).

Final Thoughts: A Delicious Pressure Cooker Chicken Soup

This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup is warm, comforting, and easy to make! It’s perfect for a quick meal, a cozy night in, or something soothing. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you get a delicious, homemade soup in no time.

Please try it out and let me know how you like it! You can customize it with your favorite veggies or noodles. Remember to save this recipe for later and share it with friends and family! 

More Healthy Soups & Wellness Tips to Try!

Want more from my healthy soups? Try my Instant Pot Lentil Soup —you’ll love this great recipe! Check out other healthy recipes on Nena’s Wellness Corner! Also, try my ginger immunity and cleanse gut shots to boost immunity and improve your digestive system!

Do you know what clean eating and an anti-inflammatory diet have in common? Clean eating and the anti-inflammatory diet perfectly match, emphasizing whole foods and natural and minimally processed foods that support overall health and reduce inflammation. Discover more about the anti-inflammatory diet here!

Ready to kickstart your clean eating journey? Download my free meal plans, sign up for my newsletter, or explore my collection of healthy recipes. Also, please find the information about a balanced diet and ways to incorporate it into your daily routine to achieve a healthy lifestyle! 

What’s your favorite instant pot recipe? Drop it in the comments below!