Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Craving something warm, creamy, and truly satisfying? This Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is about to become your new best friend!

Unlike traditional broccoli cheddar soups, or other soups for that matter, they never seem to be a complete meal for me because they are missing a large amount of protein. I have reached to make a soup you can enjoy on its own while getting plenty of protein from tender chicken and cheddar cheese. The best part? You can throw frozen chicken straight into your pressure cooker when you're in a slam — we've all been there on a Tuesday night, right?

I love pairing this hearty soup with my homemade Sourdough Bread for the ultimate cozy dinner. I am always looking for ways to use up or sourdough stash. But that’s the thing, you don’t need bread with this recipe for it to be fulfilling and it’s gluten-free!

What makes this Instant Pot soup is easy and delicious

This soup is high in protein making it a complete meal, not just a starter or side dish. The cooking effort is simple and easy with the use of a pressure cooker and no thawing of chicken required for last-minute dinners. Cheddar cheese, broccoli, and chicken are a combination made in heaven. 

Bonus #1: This meal is kid-friendly and sneakily incorporates vegetables for picky eaters.

Bonus #2: This soup reheats beautifully for lunch throughout the week.

Ingredient overlook

Let me show you how easy it is to make this family favorite and it has zero preservatives or bad-for-you ingredients!

Chicken - I like to use breast and thighs but you can use just one of the two.

Medium Cheddar Cheese - Needs to be hand grated. This is practically the hardest part of the recipe.

Heavy cream - Creates that signature silky texture in soups but secondly tenderizes the chicken when pressure cooked.

Frozen broccoli - Convenient and budget-friendly. Frozen is the way to go for this recipe.

Carrot, grated - Adds natural sweetness, color, and texture.

Chicken broth - Homemade or store-bought.

Kosher salt

Kitchen tools needed

This recipe is a perfect example as to why investments in kitchen tools are worth the money. The will help you cut back time spent in the kitchen to get other things done while dinner is cooking.

• Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker (6-quart or larger recommended)
• Immersion Blender - crucial for smooth, creamy texture
• Box Grater or Food Processor - for shredding cheese and carrots
• Whisk - for incorporating cheese without clump

10 Simple Steps

Step 1:

Add heavy cream, chicken broth, kosher salt, and chicken (fresh or frozen) to your Instant Pot.

Step 2:

Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing position, and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes. Turn off the keep warm setting.

Step 3:

Allow the pressure to naturally release. This may take approximately 20 minutes—don't rush this step as it will keep your chicken tender!

Step 4:

While the chicken cooks, shred 3 hefty cups of cheese from your cheddar block.

Step 5:

Grate the large carrot into tiny pieces using a box grater.

Step 6:

Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot, shred, and set aside.

Step 7:

Gradually add shredded cheese to the warm (not hot) broth mixture, whisking continuously until melted. Use an immersion blender to ensure the soup base is completely smooth. Important: Add cheese in small batches to prevent clumping.

Step 8:

Add one bag of frozen broccoli directly to the pot and blend using the immersion blender until smooth. Add remaining broccoli as whole pieces.

Step 9:

Return the shredded chicken to the pot along with grated carrots and the second bag of broccoli. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode on medium heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 10:

Serve with Sourdough Bread or on its own! Enjoy!

Tips for the creamiest chicken broccoli cheddar soup

• Temperature Matters - add cheese to hot (not boiling) liquid for smooth incorporation
• Freshly Shredded Cheese - melts better than pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents
• Natural Pressure Release Is Key - quick release can cause you chicken to be tough
• Immersion Blender - you must have a blender for this recipe. Blend in short pulses to avoid over-processing.
• Adjust Consistency - Add more broth for thinner soup or simmering longer for a thicker texture.
• Season In Layers - salting when you cook the chicken, after you add the cheese, and more if needed when blending in the broccoli.
• Cut of Chicken - dark meat thighs create juicier, more flavorful results than lean breast. I personally love the combination of both!