Easy healthy chicken broccoli soup

The pot lid rattles and you know dinner is almost ready. You catch that familiar steam cues sound telling you the broth’s getting just right. It makes your kitchen smell like warmth and comfort, kinda like a hug in food form.

You sense the tender pull waiting for you beneath the lid, that moment you open it up to see the broth depth shimmering with bits of chicken and broccoli. It’s the kinda meal that hits you right in the soul after a long day.

As you gently lift the sealing ring and hear the valve hiss release, you’re eager to dig in. This easy healthy chicken broccoli soup stands ready, packed with fuzzy chunks of green veggies and shredded chicken all swimming in a kinda creamy, cozy broth.

Why Your Cooker Beats Every Other Pot

• It traps all those steam cues and pressure so flavors get deep and rich real quick.
• You get that tender pull on chicken and veggies way faster than stove top simmering.
• Sealing ring keeps all the moisture locked in so nothing dries out or loses goodness.
• Valve hiss tells you exactly when pressure’s dropping so you don’t peek too soon and lose steam.
• Using it means less time babysitting the pot and more time doing whatever else you enjoy.

What Goes Into the Pot Today

• 1 large onion finely chopped for that natural sweetness.
• 2 large carrots peeled and chopped to bring a gentle earthiness.
• 2 celery ribs finely chopped, adding a subtle crunch and flavor base.
• 4 garlic cloves crushed to punch up the savory vibes.
• 1 bay leaf for that faint herbal note you kinda barely notice but it lifts everything.
• 1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs for a rustic, cozy touch.
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes, totally optional but heck they add great warmth if you’re in the mood.
• 5 cups broccoli stems removed and chopped, the star veggie here.
• 6 cups chicken stock or broth, the base of the broth depth you want.
• 2 cups shredded chicken—rotisserie chicken works great for ease and flavor.

Plus don’t forget 2 cups milk, 2 tablespoons cornflour mixed with water to thicken, plus salt, pepper, and lemon juice to brighten things up at the end.

The Exact Process From Start to Finish

Step 1: Heat your pressure cooker over medium heat. Drizzle in a bit of oil and let it warm up. Toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Stir every now and then for about 5 to 7 minutes until they soften up nice.

Step 2: Add crushed garlic, bay leaf, dried mixed herbs, and optional chilli flakes. Stir this fragrant combo for a minute or two so you catch all the lovely smells.

Step 3: Now dump in your finely chopped broccoli stems and pour the chicken stock over it all. Crank the heat so it comes to a boil. Once that’s simmering, seal your cooker and set for about 10 minutes.

Step 4: When you hear the valve hiss and your steam cues, that means time to let it do its thing. After 10 minutes, quick release that pressure carefully.

Step 5: Take off the lid and fish out the bay leaf. Then grab your immersion blender and pulse just a few times. Leave some chunks in there so your soup is creamy but still textured.

Step 6: Stir in your milk and the cornflour mixed with water to thicken things up. Heat through for another 5 minutes with the lid off so it doesn’t get too thick.

Step 7: Stir in shredded chicken, then taste and add salt, pepper, and a splash of lemon juice. That little citrus zing wakes up all the flavors. Serve up hot with your favorite bread or on its own.

Time Savers That Actually Work

• Grab rotisserie chicken from your local spot so you won’t need to cook chicken from scratch.
• Use pre-chopped frozen broccoli if you’re really short on time. It works real good here.
• Mix your cornflour and water beforehand so it’s ready to stir in at the end without any clumps.
• Cook veggies while you prep other stuff so you’re not sitting around waiting for the pot.

The Flavor Experience Waiting for You

The first taste hits you with tender chunks of chicken and broccoli softened just right from the pressure cooker. You catch the warmth that rises slowly, kinda like a cozy blanket wrapping you up.

Next you notice the broth depth with layers of sweet onions, aromatic garlic, and that subtle kick from herbs and optional chilli flakes. It’s so comforting you almost wanna hug your spoon.

The finish is creamy smooth thanks to milk and that small thickener, which makes every spoonful velvety without being heavy. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and your taste buds wake up, dancing with brightness and richness all at once.

Smart Storage That Actually Works

• Cool it down quickly by pouring soup into shallow containers so it chills faster in the fridge.
• Use airtight containers to keep all that good moisture and flavor sealed in till next time.
• Freeze soup in portion sizes to grab quick meals on busy days where cooking ain’t an option.
• Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth if it thickened too much storing.

This helps keep the soup tasting fresh and vibrant even days after you made it.

Everything Else You Wondered About

Q1: Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Absolutely. Frozen broccoli is great for this soup and works well with pressure cooking.

Q2: Is rotisserie chicken necessary?
Nope, you can use any cooked chicken you have on hand or even cook raw chicken directly in the pot before veggies.

Q3: What if I want it spicier?
Add more chilli flakes or even a dash of hot sauce after cooking for that extra kick.

Q4: Can I make this soup vegan?
Totally! Swap chicken stock with veggie broth and use plant milk and tofu or beans instead of chicken.

Q5: How thick should the soup be?
It’s up to you but aim for a creamy consistency that coats your spoon but still easy to ladle.

Q6: Should I stir the soup while cooking in pressure cooker?
It’s best not to stir once sealed to avoid blocking the valve or affecting steam cues, stir before sealing instead.

For more inspiration with chicken recipes, explore our Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce recipe or try some quick Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Pressure Cooker dishes. To explore more comforting chicken meals, check out our Crispy Cheddar Chicken recipe.