Instant Pot Chicken Wild Rice (Printable Version)
Tender chicken, wild rice, and vegetables combine for a wholesome, savory soup packed with flavor.
# What You Need:
→ Protein
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
→ Grains
07 - 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
→ Liquids
08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1 tsp dried parsley
11 - ½ tsp dried rosemary
12 - ½ tsp black pepper
13 - 1 tsp salt, adjust to taste
14 - 1 bay leaf
→ Optional Finish
15 - ½ cup heavy cream or coconut milk for creamy texture
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add a splash of oil, then cook diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sliced mushrooms and cook for another minute.
02 - Add wild rice, chicken pieces, chicken broth, dried thyme, parsley, rosemary, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine.
03 - Secure the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on Manual or Pressure Cook mode for 25 minutes.
04 - Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release to release remaining pressure.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Take out the chicken, shred it using two forks, then return shredded chicken to the pot.
06 - Stir in heavy cream or coconut milk if a creamy texture is desired.
07 - Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting while you fold laundry or stare out the window.
- Wild rice adds a nutty chew that makes every spoonful feel more substantial than your average chicken soup.
- It reheats beautifully, so leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to settle in.
02 -
- Do not skip the natural release or the rice will be crunchy and the chicken will seize up like rubber.
- If the soup thickens too much in the fridge, thin it with broth or water when you reheat it.
03 -
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor and forgiveness if you accidentally overcook.
- Toast the wild rice in the pot during the sauté step for one minute before adding the liquid, it deepens the nutty flavor.