If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make delicious homemade chicken soup, look no further than your pressure cooker. Using a pressure cooker not only cuts down on cooking time, but it also helps to infuse the flavors of the ingredients, resulting in a rich and flavorful soup.
Start by gathering your ingredients, which include chicken pieces, such as thighs or breasts, vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, as well as herbs and spices like bay leaves, thyme, and garlic. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.
Once you have your ingredients ready, simply add them to the pressure cooker along with enough water to cover everything. Set the cooker to high pressure and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes. When the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release for another 10 minutes before carefully opening the lid.
The result will be a comforting bowl of homemade chicken soup that is packed with flavor and ready to warm you up on a chilly day. Serve it with crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal. With the help of a pressure cooker, making homemade chicken soup has never been easier!
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you can start making your homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker, you need to gather and prepare all of your ingredients. Here are the steps to prepare the ingredients for your delicious soup:
1. Chicken
First, you will need to choose a whole chicken or chicken parts, depending on your preference. Make sure the chicken is fresh and high-quality. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut the chicken into smaller pieces if using a whole chicken.
2. Vegetables
Next, gather your vegetables. You will need one onion, two carrots, two celery stalks, and two cloves of garlic. Peel and chop the onion, carrots, and celery into small pieces. Mince the garlic cloves.
3. Herbs and Spices
To add flavor to your chicken soup, you will need herbs and spices. Gather one bay leaf, one teaspoon of dried thyme, one teaspoon of dried rosemary, and one teaspoon of salt. You can also add freshly ground black pepper to taste.
4. Other Ingredients
Additionally, you will need two tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing the vegetables, eight cups of chicken broth, and two cups of water.
By preparing all of your ingredients beforehand, you can ensure a smooth cooking process and delicious homemade chicken soup. Now that your ingredients are ready, it’s time to start cooking!
Gathering the Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Soup
Before starting to make homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker, it is important to gather all the necessary ingredients. This ensures that you have everything on hand and can proceed with the cooking process smoothly.
1. Chicken
The main ingredient for chicken soup is, of course, the chicken. It is recommended to use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces like thighs or drumsticks for more flavor. You can adjust the quantity of chicken based on the desired serving size.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables add texture, flavor, and a nutritional boost to your chicken soup. Some common vegetables to include are:
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
You can also add other vegetables like peas, corn, or potatoes based on personal preference.
3. Broth
The broth serves as the base of your chicken soup. You can use store-bought chicken broth or make your own by boiling chicken bones and vegetables. If using store-bought broth, opt for low-sodium options to have more control over the saltiness of your soup.
4. Seasonings
To enhance the flavor of your homemade chicken soup, you’ll need various seasonings. Some common seasonings include:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Thyme
- Parsley
You can adjust the quantities of these seasonings according to your taste preferences.
By gathering all the ingredients beforehand, you can ensure a smooth and efficient cooking process as you make homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker. So, gather your ingredients and let’s get started on making a delicious and nutritious soup!
Preparing the Vegetables for Homemade Chicken Soup
Before you start cooking your homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker, it’s important to prepare the vegetables that will go into the soup. Properly preparing the vegetables will ensure that they cook evenly and add maximum flavor to your soup. Here’s what you need to do:
Gather the Ingredients
First, gather all the vegetables you’ll need. For a classic chicken soup, you’ll want to have carrots, celery, onion, and garlic on hand. These vegetables will provide a great base flavor for your soup.
Wash and Chop the Vegetables
Next, wash and chop the vegetables. It’s important to ensure that the vegetables are clean before adding them to your soup. Remove any dirt or debris and trim off any ends or discolored parts.
For the carrots, peel off the skin with a peeler or a knife. Then, chop them into bite-sized pieces. Similarly, chop the celery into small slices. For the onion, peel off the skin and chop it finely. Mince the garlic cloves or use a garlic press to crush them.
Create a Mirepoix
A mirepoix is a classic combination of chopped onions, carrots, and celery that serves as the flavor base for many soups and stews. In a pressure cooker, creating a mirepoix is quick and easy.
Heat some oil in the pressure cooker and add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté them for a few minutes until they become slightly softened. This will help release their flavors and enhance the overall taste of your homemade chicken soup.
Consider Additional Vegetables
While the classic combination of carrots, celery, onion, and garlic is great for homemade chicken soup, feel free to add other vegetables to suit your taste. Some popular additions include potatoes, parsnips, leeks, and bell peppers.
Peel and chop these additional vegetables, if using, and add them to the sautéed mirepoix in the pressure cooker.
Summary
Properly preparing the vegetables for your homemade chicken soup is a crucial step in achieving a delicious and flavorful result. Gather, wash, and chop the vegetables, create a mirepoix, and consider adding additional vegetables to enhance the taste. Once your vegetables are ready, you can move on to the next steps in making your homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker.
Cooking Instructions
1. Start by preparing your ingredients. Peel and chop the onion, carrot, and celery. Mince the garlic cloves. Cut the chicken into chunks and season with salt and pepper.
2. Turn on the pressure cooker and select the sauté function. Add olive oil and heat it up. Once hot, add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
3. Push the vegetables to one side of the pressure cooker and add the seasoned chicken chunks. Sauté the chicken for a few minutes until it’s browned on all sides.
4. Pour in the chicken broth, water, and add any additional seasonings or herbs you prefer, such as bay leaves or thyme. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
5. Close the pressure cooker lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the soup or manual pressure cooking setting and set the cooking time to 15 minutes.
6. After the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully move the valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
7. Open the pressure cooker lid once all the pressure has been released. Give the soup a stir and taste for seasoning. Adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
8. Serve the homemade chicken soup hot and enjoy!
Setting Up the Pressure Cooker
Before starting to cook the chicken soup, it is important to properly set up the pressure cooker. Follow these steps to ensure a successful cooking process:
- Place the inner pot inside the pressure cooker base.
- Check that the sealing ring is properly inserted into the lid of the pressure cooker.
- Make sure the pressure release valve is in the sealed position.
- Connect the pressure cooker to a power source.
- Ensure the control panel is functioning correctly and set the desired cooking time.
- Clean the pressure cooker thoroughly before use, paying special attention to the inner pot and sealing ring.
Once the pressure cooker is set up and ready to use, you can proceed to prepare the ingredients for the homemade chicken soup recipe.
Adding the Ingredients to the Pressure Cooker
To make homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Chicken: Start by selecting a whole chicken or chicken parts like thighs, breasts, or a combination of both. Make sure to remove the skin if desired and cut the chicken into smaller pieces for easy cooking.
2. Vegetables: Chop up an onion, carrots, and celery stalks into bite-sized pieces. These vegetables will add flavor and depth to your soup.
3. Garlic and Herbs: Mince a clove or two of garlic for a subtle kick of flavor. Additionally, gather herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves to enhance the taste of the broth.
4. Stock or Broth: Pour in chicken stock or broth to give your soup a rich and savory base. You can use store-bought or homemade stock depending on your preference.
5. Seasonings: Season your soup with salt, pepper, and any other preferred seasonings. This will ensure that your soup is well-seasoned and delicious.
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, place them into the pressure cooker. Start by adding the chicken pieces, followed by the chopped vegetables, minced garlic, and herbs. Then, pour in the chicken stock or broth to cover the ingredients. Lastly, season the soup with salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings.
With the ingredients added to the pressure cooker, you are now ready to start the cooking process and enjoy a comforting bowl of homemade chicken soup.
FAQ
What are the ingredients needed to make homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker?
The ingredients needed to make homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker are chicken, vegetables (such as carrots, celery, and onions), garlic, herbs (such as thyme and bay leaves), salt, pepper, and water.
How long does it take to cook chicken soup in a pressure cooker?
The cooking time for chicken soup in a pressure cooker will vary based on the size of the chicken pieces and the specific pressure cooker being used. However, on average, it takes about 20-25 minutes for the chicken to cook through in a pressure cooker.
Can I use frozen chicken to make homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken to make homemade chicken soup in a pressure cooker. However, keep in mind that the cooking time will be slightly longer to account for the frozen chicken. It is recommended to add an additional 5-10 minutes to the cooking time when using frozen chicken.