Instant Pot Chicken Quinoa Soup

Jump to Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. I make a commission from sales. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

Get ready for a tasty and nutritious dinner with this Instant Pot Chicken Quinoa Soup! This one-pot meal is packed with flavorful chicken, quinoa, vegetables, and herbs, perfect for a cozy night in. Plus, it's incredibly easy to make; all you need is an Instant Pot and just a few simple ingredients.

bowl of quinoa soup in front of the Instant Pot.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
Step-By-Step Instructions
Expert Tips
Variations
Storing & Freezing
Recipe FAQ's
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes
Instant Pot Chicken Quinoa Soup

Check out my Instant Pot Vegetable Soup with Pasta and my Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup for more Instant Pot soup recipes!

This Instant Pot chicken quinoa soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to prepare. With a blend of healthy ingredients like canola oil, boneless skinless chicken breast, onion, carrots, celery, zucchinis, garlic, ground turmeric, ground black pepper, coarse salt, dry quinoa, low sodium chicken broth and flat leaf parsley, you have all the essential elements for a flavorful meal!

With just 8-10 minutes of cooking time in the Instant Pot this soup is sure to be a hit with family and friends alike.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's nutritious. You get a balance of protein, carbs and veggies while enjoying a savory meal.
Easy to make. All you need is an Instant Pot and a few simple ingredients!
It's incredibly flavorful. The combination of chicken, quinoa, vegetables and herbs make this soup truly delicious! Enjoy this one-pot meal for a cozy night in.

Ingredients You'll Need

Instant Pot chicken quinoa soup labeled ingredients.

Canola Oil: Canola oil is a vegetable-based oil made from the seeds of canola plants.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: This is a lean cut of chicken that is free from additional fat, skin, and bones. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are perfect for adding protein.
Onion: Onions add a depth of flavor to soups and stews, as well as help thicken the broth.
Carrots: Carrots are an earthy and sweet root vegetable that adds color, crunch, and nutrition to the soup. Be sure to slice or dice them before adding them in with the other ingredients!
Celery: Celery has a delicious salty taste that compliments many different recipes. For this soup recipe, you'll want to chop up one celery stalk and add it into the pot when instructed in the directions.
Zucchini: Zucchini are popular summer squash that adds tenderness and nutrition to any dish! You can opt to dice zucchinis into small cubes or thin slices before tossing them into the pot with all the other ingredients.
Garlic: Garlic adds a subtle yet flavorful kick to soups!
Ground Turmeric: Turmeric lends a vibrant yellow hue as well as anti-inflammatory benefits to foods where it's added!
Ground Black Pepper: A pinch of freshly ground black pepper will add a bit of heat as well as fragrance to your soup!
Coarse Salt: Coarse salt helps bring out even more flavor from your soup! Be careful not to use too much though; a tablespoon should be just enough for this batch of soup!
Dry Quinoa: Quinoa is rich in fiber and protein while being gluten-free, making it an ideal grain component for this particular soup recipe!
Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Low sodium chicken broth gives soup extra richness without leaving behind any unpleasant aftertaste or bad health consequences due its lack of saturated fats content.
Flat Leaf Parsley: Fresh parsley offers mild grassy notes that helps provide balance against what may seem otherwise overly strong flavor profiles when cooking at home.

Step-By-Step Instructions

four image process making Instant Pot chicken quinoa soup.

Step 1:

Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot. Heat the oil in the pot, then add chicken. Cook for 2-4 minutes.

Step 2:

Add vegetables, garlic, turmeric, pepper and salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally, 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.

Step 3:

Add quinoa and broth. Close and lock the lid. Cook for 15-20 minutes at high pressure. Quick release remaining steam.

Step 4:

Stir in parsley and adjust seasoning to taste.

NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

Expert Tips

Feel free to adjust the amount of canola oil to your desired preference, adding more will give the soup a richer flavor and texture.
When adding in chicken, make sure to cut it into bite-size pieces for easier consumption.
For added flavor, consider mixing in your preferred vegetables like zucchinis, carrots or celery.
Make sure to rinse off quinoa before adding it into the pot as this will help remove excess starch that could lead to an overly thick texture.
Don't forget to garnish with parsley for a delicious herbal finish!

Variations

Consider switching out the canola oil for olive oil or coconut oil for a different flavor profile.
Add in other proteins like beef, pork, or tofu for a new texture.
Use fresh herbs like thyme and oregano instead of parsley to give the soup an earthy taste.
Try adding some diced sweet potatoes for extra sweetness and nutrition.
Mix in some spices like cumin or chili powder to kick up the flavor even more!

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Allow leftovers to cool completely before storing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Freezing: You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months if stored in an airtight container.

Recipe FAQ's

Is Instant Pot chicken quinoa soup healthy?

Yes! This soup is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. The canola oil also contributes to a balanced diet by providing essential fatty acids.

How long should I cook the soup in the Instant Pot?

For best results, it's recommended to cook the soup for around 8-10 minutes on high pressure in the Instant Pot.

Can I add more vegetables to the soup?

Absolutely! Feel free to mix in your preferred veggies like zucchinis, carrots or celery for extra flavor and nutrition.

Is there an alternative to canola oil that I can use?

Yes, feel free to switch out canola oil for olive oil or coconut oil for a different flavor profile.

You can also find my FREE Instant Pot cheat sheets here.

More Instant Pot Soup Recipes

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter.

Yield: 5 Servings

Instant Pot Chicken Quinoa Soup

Get ready for a tasty and nutritious dinner with this Instant Pot chicken quinoa soup! This one-pot meal is packed with flavorful chicken, quinoa, vegetables, and herbs, perfect for a cozy night in. Plus, it's incredibly easy to make; all you need is an Instant Pot and just a few simple ingredients.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

3 tablespoons canola oil
1¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
3 ribs celery, chopped
2 medium zucchinis, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup dry quinoa, well rinsed
8 cups low sodium chicken broth
½ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

Instructions

Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot. Heat the oil in the pot, then add chicken. Cook 2-4 minutes.
Add vegetables, garlic, turmeric, pepper and salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally, 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
Add quinoa and broth. Close and lock the lid. Cook for 15-20 minutes at high pressure. Quick release remaining steam.
Stir in parsley and adjust seasoning to taste.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the amount of canola oil to your desired preference, adding more will give the soup a richer flavor and texture.
When adding in chicken, make sure to cut it into bite-size pieces for easier consumption.
For added flavor, consider mixing in your preferred vegetables like zucchinis, carrots or celery.
Make sure to rinse off quinoa before adding it into the pot as this will help remove excess starch that could lead to an overly thick texture.
Don't forget to garnish with parsley for a delicious herbal finish!
Storing: Allow leftovers to cool completely before storing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Freezing: You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months if stored in an airtight container.