Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Chicken

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Instant pot french onion soup with chicken is a quick and flavorful meal, that will leave your taste buds begging for more. Made with tender chicken, caramelized onions, and a savory broth, this recipe is a must-try!

Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Chicken.

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Our instant pot French onion soup with chicken is perfect for a delicious and hassle-free dinner option. This twist on a classic recipe brings together the rich flavors of caramelized onions and juicy chicken in just a faction of the time. With just some simple ingredients, you can have a warm and satisfying bowl of soup in no time.

If you’re looking for more instant pot recipes, try these Instant Pot Chicken Marsala, Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli Casserole, and Pressure Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.

A closer view of the dish.

Why We Love This Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Chicken

This instant pot onion soup with made is a classic recipe that is sure to become a family favorite. This easy and delicious soup is made with simple ingredients making it perfect for busy weeknights.

  • 30-Minute Meal: With the help of the instant pot, this French onion soup can be whipped up in just 30 minutes, making it a quick and convenient option for busy days.
  • Adaptable: You can easily adjust this soup to be sugar free by removing the Worcestershire sauce from the ingredients.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: If you have leftovers of this delicious soup, don’t worry! You can get creative with your soup leftovers and use them for a sandwich filling or as a topping to potatoes. Serve with a toasted French baguette.

Ingredient Notes for Chicken and Onion Soup in the Instant Pot

Onions, chicken cutlets and cheese to make the dish.
  • Chicken Breast: The chicken breast adds a tender and protein-rich element to the soup. For the best results, use boneless and skinless chicken breasts.
  • Italian Seasoning: The Italian seasoning brings a robust flavor to this dish, enhancing the taste of the onions and chicken. If you don’t have this seasoning on hand, our homemade Italian seasoning recipe is so easy to make.
  • Beef Broth: Try beef stock for a richer flavor.

See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

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Variations and Substitutions to Make Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Chicken

  • Chicken variation: If you aren’t a fan of chicken breast and prefer dark meat, you can easily swap the breast for boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
  • Cooking variation: For a more hands-off approach, you can make this onion soup with chicken in a crock pot! Just adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and the onions are tender.

How to Make Pressure Cooker French Onion Soup with Chicken

It’s time to grab your pressure cooker and indulge in this French onion soup with chicken. Enjoy the comforting flavors and the ease of preparation that makes this recipe stand out.

These are the basic steps for making pressure cooker French onion soup with chicken. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Step 1: Saute Onions

Set your instant pot to the saute setting and adjust to medium. Add the butter and oil and stir until the butter is completely melted. Then add the onions and then sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Season with the desired amount of salt and pepper and stir. Saute for about 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft and all the same color.

Step 2: Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour the balsamic vinegar and red wine into the instant pot and stir occasionally. Use a spatula to deglaze the bottom of the pot and release any browned bits. Once the vinegar and wine mixture is reduced to one-half, add in the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Push the cancel button to turn it off.

Step 3: Season and Cook Chicken

Season both sides of your chicken breast generously with salt and pepper. Add seasoned chicken to the instant pot and top with bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Lock the lid into place and set the pressure valve to sealing. Click the manual button and set to the high pressure setting. Adjust the time and cook for 6 minutes.

Step 4: Release Pressure and Add Cheese

After cooking the chicken, do a pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then quickly release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid and discard the bay leaves and thyme stems. Add the provolone slices to the top of the chicken and cover with a lid for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. To make the cheese a golden brown place under the broiler and broil for a few minutes. Serve with French bread or baguette slices.

The finished chicken in the cooker.

Recipe FAQs to Make French Onion Soup with Chicken

The best onion for making french onion soup is typically a yellow or white onion. These varieties of sweet onion provide a sweet flavor and robust flavor when caramelized, which adds flavor and depth to the soup. For a more mild onion taste, you can experiment with vidalia onions or shallots.

Nope, including wine in this recipe is not required. While wine adds a rich and complex flavor, you can still achieve a delicious french onion soup without it. If you opt not to use wine, you can substitute with additional beef broth.

Yes! You can switch things up by experimenting with different proteins in this recipe. For a more traditional french onion soup experience, try using beef. You could also use mushrooms for a vegetarian option.

When storing any leftover soup, you want to let it cool to room temperature first. Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.

Chicken along side the instant pot.

Expert Tips for Making This Favorite Instant Pot Soup Recipe

These tips will help take your instant pot French onion soup with chicken to the next level! This soup will delight your taste buds with every spoonful. Enjoy the comforting amoras and rich flavor of this beloved soup in the comfort of your own home.

  • Fresh Herbs: To elevate the presentation and add a touch of freshness, top each serving with some fresh herbs. Chopped parsley, thyme, or chives will work wonderfully.
  • Cheese Varieties: This recipe calls for mild provolone but for more flavor, try using a gruyere or Swiss cheese. Don’t be afraid to try different cheeses based on your preference.
  • Mix up the Ingredients: A dry white wine or a sherry can also be wonderful for this instant pot or pressure cooker recipe.

What to Serve with Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Chicken

Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Chicken.
5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot French Onion Soup with Chicken

Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Instant pot french onion soup with chicken is a quick and flavorful meal, that will leave your taste buds begging for more. Made with tender chicken, caramelized onions, and a savory broth, this recipe is a must try!
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Butter, unsalted
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 pound Yellow onions, sliced root to tip
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
  • ½ cup Dry red wine
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, optional
  • cup Beef broth, preferably organic
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 4-5 Fresh thyme sprigs
  • pound Chicken breast, boneless, skinless, pounded ½” thick
  • 6-8 slices Provolone cheese, thin, mild, non-smoked

Instructions

  • Choose the Sauté option and set it to medium. Incorporate the butter and olive oil and mix until the butter is completely melted and spread evenly on the base.
  • Combine onions, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Add salt and black pepper to taste and mix well. Stir occasionally while sautéing until onions are soft and slightly browned, which should take about 10-15 minutes.
  • After adding balsamic vinegar and red wine, use a spatula to deglaze the pot’s bottom and release any browned bits. Reduce the liquid by half, then add Worcestershire sauce (if desired) and beef broth. Finally, turn off the unit by pressing the Cancel button.
  • Before placing the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, generously sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides. Then, add bay leaves and fresh thyme sprigs on top.
  • Ensure that the pressure release valve is set to Sealing, then securely attach the lid and lock. Choose the highest setting and press the Manual button, adjusting the cook time to 6 minutes.
  • After the cook time is up, wait for 5 minutes to let the pressure release naturally. Then, do a quick release to get rid of any remaining pressure. When the pin drops and steam stops coming out, take off the lid carefully and throw away the bay leaves and thyme stems.
  • After placing the mild Provolone slices over the chicken breasts, cover the dish and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is completely melted.

Expert Tips

  • Fresh Herbs: To elevate the presentation and add a touch of freshness, top each serving with some fresh herbs. Chopped parsley, thyme, or chives will work wonderfully.
  • Cheese Varieties: This recipe calls for mild provolone but for more flavor, try using a gruyere or swiss cheese. Don’t be afraid to try different cheeses based on your preference.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 1324mg | Potassium: 834mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 530IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 273mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

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