Clean Eating Instant Pot Summer Soup! The perfect blend of comforting and fresh for the season. Packed with all the fresh summer produce and super customizable to whatever you have on hand!
SCALE
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb. chicken breasts
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup farro (you can also use brown rice or small pasta)
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon each basil and oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon each garlic and onion powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 zucchini, cut into small pieces
- 2–3 cups of fresh sweet corn kernels, cut off the cob
- Toppings: Parmesan, lemon juice, plain yogurt, fresh herbs, freshly ground pepper, etc.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place everything except the zucchini and sweet corn in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Set to high pressure for 20 minutes. Release the steam.
- Shred the chicken. Stir in the zucchini and sweet corn. Set to high pressure for another 5 minutes. Release the steam.
- Let the soup rest for a few minutes – it thickens up a bit as it cools. Season with more salt and pepper and whatever toppings you like. Aaand devour!
NOTES
Grains: If you use small pasta, rice, quinoa, or another quick-cooking grain, I would recommend that you add it to the Instant Pot at the same time you add the zucchini and sweet corn, otherwise it will become too mushy. Sturdier grains like brown rice and farro will hold up just fine for 30 minutes in the Instant Pot, so you can add those right away as directed.
Garlic / onion: I like to use garlic powder and onion powder because the taste is so distinct – different from fresh garlic and onions, which I also love. Using both fresh and dried together seems to boost the flavor of the soup. I didn’t use an onion here, but if you love onions, a small diced yellow onion would be a great addition.
Vegetarian / vegan: omit the chicken, and use vegetable broth. I would also consider increasing the amount of grains or maybe adding a can of beans to bulk up the soup a bit.
Gluten free: use a gluten free alternative to farro such as brown rice, sorghum, quinoa, or gluten free pasta. Follow Note #1 for cooking instructions.
Yogurt? It sounds kinda weird, but I love to add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt to this soup! Makes it creamy, tangy, and adds some nice protein and probiotics. Yum!
Stovetop: Saute your veggies and spices in the oil until softened. Add liquids, grains, and chicken. Simmer until the chicken and farro is done – probably 20 minutes. Shred chicken and return to pot. Add zucchini and corn, and simmer until cooked.
Slow Cooker: (This is an educated guess – please leave a comment if you try it and find the times need adjusting!)Add all ingredients except zucchini and sweet corn. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 5-6 hours. Shred chicken, return to pot, and add zucchini and sweet corn for another 20-30 minutes.
