There is nothing, NOTHING better than the perfect Chicken Noodle Soup – especially on a freezing cold winter’s day or evening. And this one’s going to help fend off those nasty colds!
I am known to make some of the greatest chicken noodle soup amongst friends and loved ones – but it always took about a solid 2-3 hours to do it on the stove. Now, it only takes 30 minutes!
My mom has been begging me to convert my stove-top recipe into one for the Instant Pot so she could be pushed over the edge to finally get one of her own – so here it is, MA!
Here’s How I Made It!:
Start off by going straight to the Instant Pot and add some water…
…and some chicken broth.
No what’s chicken soup with out the chicken?! We’re gonna want to use various parts of a butchered chicken (with the skin on!) and add each piece to the liquid in the pot.
Now let’s take an onion and cut it into large chunks…
…and then add it to the broth as well. Also throw in some Italian seasoning…
…some lemon pepper seasoning…
…some garlic…
.. .a few bay leaves with a few shakes of ground black pepper…
…and some kosher salt.
Give it all a good stir, secure the lid and cook on high pressure.
Once done, skim out the onions and bay leaves and discard.
Then, using some tongs, remove the chicken…
…and set aside to cool.
Now let’s chop up some carrot and celery, reserving the leafy tops of the celery…
…and then adding it to the broth as well as some fresh dill (the fresh dill really helps make the soup)!
Now we’ll spice it up with a little seasoned salt…
…some cooking sherry…
…and some parsley. Secure the lid again and cook at high pressure.
While the soup is cooking and the chicken’s cooled down some, discard all the skin, cartilage and bones…
…and rip it apart by hand to shred and set aside.
Let’s also boil some water on the stove and add some egg noodles (I like the ribbons) and strain when done.
Once the soup is done cooking, add the shredded chicken back in.
Then take a bowl and spoon in the desired noodles…
…ladle in some soup…
…and there you have it! Simply the greatest chicken noodle soup you’ve ever had!
Instant Pot Jeffrey’s Chicken Noodle Soup
What could be more perfect than a soup that isn't only familiar, but comforting for the soul on every level? This Chicken Noodle (aka Jewish Penicillin) is the real deal.
Ingredients
Phase 1 Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of chicken, cut up, skin-on (best to just go to the butcher in the supermarket and ask for them to cut up half of a whole chicken for you – make sure you get a nice mix of parts from the breast to the leg!)
- 2 quarts (8 cups) of water
- 1 heaping tbsp of Chicken Better Than Bouillon (recommended as it’s the best) OR 4 chicken bouillon cubes (if you can’t find Better Than Bouillon)
- 1 Spanish or yellow onion, peeled and cut into large chunks (you’ll be removing it with a slotted spoon after the stock is made so make sure it’s easy to fish out)
- 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp of lemon-pepper seasoning
- 1 tsp of crushed garlic
- 2-3 bay leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Phase 2 Ingredients:
- 2 large carrots, sliced into 1/4″ discs
- 2 stalks of celery, sliced 1/4″, with leafy green tops reserved
- 3 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley leaves (or just 1 tablespoon of dried parsley is fine too)
- A few strands of fresh dill (huge flavor add)
- 2 tbsp of cooking sherry
- 1/2 tbsp of seasoned salt (but you can add to taste)
- 1-2 cups of egg noodles (I like the ones that look like wide ribbons)
Instructions
This Begins Phase 1
- Start by placing the liquid and raw chicken in the Instant Pot with the chicken totally covered by the liquid. Then add all other Phase 1 ingredients. Stir. Cover and secure the lid
- Hit “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” High Pressure for 10 minutes. Quick release when done
- Remove chicken from pot with tongs and set aside to cool
- Remove and discard bay leaves and onion with a strainer
- Meanwhile, boil a pot of water on the stove for the egg noodles
This Begins Phase 2
- Add all the Phase 2 ingredients to the Instant Pot EXCEPT FOR the chicken and egg noodles (keep them out of it). Stir. Put on lid.
- Hit “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” High Pressure for 5 minutes. Perform a quick release
- While the pot is cooking the soup, the chicken should be cool enough to touch. Pick bones clean of all the meat, discarding bones, skin, and cartilage. Shred chicken by hand (clean ones, of course) and set aside
- Also while the pot is cooking the soup, boil the egg noodles for about 8 minutes (or according to package) and strain & rinse when done
- Add the shredded chicken to the soup once the lid is off and stir
- Add desired amount of noodles to a bowl and ladle in some soup
- Enjoy with my Matzo Balls to make it a true Jewish Penicillin!
Jeffrey's Tips
While the soup is coming to pressure, SEPARATELY boil some uncooked egg noodles. When done, strain the noodles and put as many as you desire in your bowl before adding the soup. It’s important to separately boil the noodles and not add them to the pot when you bring to pressure because they will absorb a LOT of the broth – making it much less soupy and more of a soft and floppy noodle texture.
Also, really send it home with the BEST matzo balls (click here for the recipe)!
Laura Mc
I usually don’t rate recipes, but I made your chicken soup recipe and my family really enjoyed it . It is very easy to make and the taste was fantastic. It’s so quick and easy in the Instant Pot. I did not use the dill (my family doesn’t like it), but followed everything else. Thank you for creating the recipes and sharing them. I plan to try your Wonton Soup later today.
Jeffrey
Wonderful! Thank you!
Julie
Delicious! The flavor is awesome and this was a breeze to make. I substituted rice in place of egg noodles, and added some lemon juice at the end. My toddlers devoured it.
Cindy
Love the Chicken Soup Jeffrey! I freeze it in portions, and it is one of my favorites of your recipes. Gave your Cookbook as Christmas gifts this year. They will know how valuable this gift is soon enough! Thanks for all the great recipes!
Gailkin
Do you freeze the noodles and the soup separately or are they mixed together before freezing?
Jade
I would think you would just freeze the soup. And cook the noodles when needed.
Leigh-Anne Gartner
I freeze mine with the noodles, so that I have easy portions for work lunch etc. once the soup is cool, I add the noodles and quickly and get it in the freezer. When everything is cool, they won’t absorb much liquid.
Earline Nunn
We were terrified of the IP. Not any more! This recipe,the minestrone soup and the lentil recipe are spot on! Excited about your April book release! You are the best!
Rich
This was my initial attempt using InstaPot and it was absolutely wonderful. Great explanation in the video. It was a perfect recipe enjoy last week to in 15 degree weather. MAZEL TOV
Jessica
Can this be maze with preshredded rotisserie chicken I have hanging around?
Brenda
My question, too
Kimberly
I would think so! I use my rotisserie carcass to make a bunch of chicken broth. I would use that broth instead of step 1. Then for step 2 add the spices indicated in step 1.
Linda
Yes.
Melissa Cravens
Going to be cold and rainy here in KY tomorrow. Chicken Noodle Soup will hit the spot!
Lara
Do you know the calories per serving for this soup? Trying to make a meal that fits within a calorie controlled diet
Becky
I made 2 pots of broth so I could freeze some , now want to make the soup, about how many cups of broth in this recipe
gabby
I’m confused. The recipe under pictures says add chicken broth after adding water but the recipe itself doesn’t say how much broth to add.
Jeffrey
Yes it does. It says how much bouillon to add to it which makes it broth.
Victoria Smith
This is DELICIOUS! I added 1/2 tsp. of Better Than Boullion. This will be a favorite in our house! Thanks for sharing!
Sherry
May I suggest cutting the onions smaller and keeping them in the soup? I love it both ways, but I love the taste of the onions chunks in the soup. Thank you, Jeffrey, for all of your wonderful recipes!
Lynne
This is such a standby for me! I love soup and this is just like my Grandma used to make. It brings back lovely memories with her. I tried and tried to duplicate her chicken soup recipe, but never succeeded until I made yours. Thanks a million!!
Christina Koch
can I use frozen chicken? I’d like to make this today but I don’t have any chicken thawed.
Ginny
I did it successfully today. For the first phase, I added my frozen chicken breast and all the seasons, water, and onion. I did high pressure for 16 minutes and 10 minutes NR. The chicken was cooked and shredded just fine. Then moved to phase two and followed the recipe as stated. I hope that is helpful.
Alissa
My mom makes this and it is so SO good. I don’t have an instant pot- do you have a recipe for a slow cooker or how to cook it on the stove? Thank you!!
Margery Styles
Is there a beginners cook book? I’ve never used my insta-pot, its been sitting in my closet for months. Don’t know how to start!
Jeffrey
All my books are for beginners!
Monique
Is there quite a bit of floating fat after cooking the chicken with skin? I made your New England Clam Chowder which is fabulous and, being a Rhode Islander, I will never order it in a restaurant again, seeing how easy your recipe was!
Elaine Hamilton
only change I would make is to do phase 1 on the soup button. I know it takes longer. But you get a much richer broth. I don’t really care that much if the chicken is a little overcooked.
Chris
Looks amazing! Could frozen egg noodles such as Reames work in this recipe?
Stephanie
Whats your favorite lemon pepper seasoning to use in this soup?
Jeffrey
Any will do.
Cherie
Is there any way that I could use frozen chicken in this recipe? Would the chicken cook right if I do this?
Michael
Could someone please tell me what the celery leafy tops are reserved for? Do they go back in at some point or do they get tossed out?
Jeffrey
I add them back at the very end
Linda Schneider
You are not kidding about the dill. Wow does that ever take chicken noodle soup to new heights. I’ve made my own sourdough noodles, so I had to make soup. This is so satisfying. Thank you.
Jeffrey
You’re so welcome!