Chicken Minestrone Soup (Instant Pot / Slow Cooker)

This chunky, hearty chicken minestrone soup is simple to whip up and brimming with high protein ingredients and wholesome vegetables. Whether you prepare it in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, it's loaded with nutrient-rich zucchini and garbanzo beans (chickpeas), and comforting Italian flavors perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner.

Made without pasta, this chicken minestrone soup is naturally gluten-free and grain-free and easily adaptable for Keto, low carb, Paleo, and Whole30 diets by skipping the beans. While it offers low FODMAP garlic and onion substitutes, it is otherwise not ideal for those on a low FODMAP diet. Those interested in a low FODMAP chicken soup should try my popular Chicken and Rice Soup.

For a vegetarian or vegan minestrone soup, simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. If you're looking for a vegetarian or vegan stew with similar flavors, try my Ratatouille. For another tasty soup with chicken and a rainbow of veggies, try my Taco Soup with Chicken.

Benefits of Chicken Minestrone Soup

As I try to incorporate a more diverse range of vegetables into my diet while still including meat-based proteins, creating a minestrone soup with chicken felt like the perfect solution. Classic minestrone soup recipes are packed with a rainbow of nutrient-rich vegetables and are highly adaptable to suit various dietary preferences.

While my version of minestrone is less traditional by omitting the pasta, it remains hearty and satisfying thanks to the addition of chicken, garbanzo beans, and a medley of colorful veggies. This combination makes it a fiber-rich and high-protein meal that can help reduce inflammation and support digestion. Plus, the minestrone's warm Italian flavors, chunky texture, and hydrating broth make it as delicious as it is nourishing.

It's also kid-friendly and effortlessly flavorful, thanks to using an Instant Pot or CrockPot. This minestrone chicken soup has become a favorite in our household, and we hope it will be in yours!

Equipment

Instant Pot

If choosing the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) method to make this chicken minestrone, you'll need:

• 6-quart Instant Pot, 8-quart Instant Pot, or comparable electric pressure cooker.
• Plastic spoon or spatula - for stirring and scraping.
• Plus, all of the equipment in the "Remaining Equipment" list below.

Slow Cooker

If using a slow cooker, you'll need:

• Slow cooker (I use an older model of this 6-quart Crock-Pot)
• Large skillet - for sauteing ingredients before moving to the slow cooker.
• Stove or cooktop
• Heat-resistant spatula - for stirring and scraping in the skillet.
• Plus:

Remaining Equipment (for Both Methods)

• Paper towels - for drying the chicken. This helps the seasoning stick better.
• Small bowl - for seasoning the chicken.
• Vegetable peeler - for peeling the carrots.
• Fine mesh sieve - for draining and rinsing the chickpeas.
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Ladle - for stirring and serving.
• Soup bowls and spoons

Optional Equipment

• Grater - if using fresh parmesan for garnish.
• Storage containers - for leftovers.

Ingredient Notes & Dietary Substitutions

• Oil: As this is Italian minestrone soup, I use garlic-infused olive oil or extra-virgin olive oil. Garlic-infused oil is ideal for those with IBS-related garlic-sensitivities.
• Aromatics: Leek greens or white onion and garlic (omit the garlic if using garlic oil). Using leek greens is for those like me who are sensitive to onions.
• Chunky Vegetables: Sliced carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans (fresh or frozen). You can easily substitute other vegetables that you'd like to use up. Feel free to experiment with vegetables seasonally available in the fall, winter, or spring. Keep in mind that certain vegetables fare better than others in the pressure cooker and slow cooker.
• Hearty Chicken: I prefer boneless skinless chicken thighs as chicken breasts turned out a bit dry in my tests. Forgo if you prefer a vegetarian or vegan minestrone soup.
• Seasoning: I use a hearty amount of pre-made Italian seasoning (homemade or store-bought). I also add dried chives if using leek greens, sea salt, ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Feel free to leave out the red pepper flakes if you're sensitive to spicy food or simply do not care for it.
• Broth: Chicken broth (homemade or store-bought) or vegetable broth (homemade or store-bought). Use garlic/onion-free, Keto, low carb, Paleo, or Whole30 compliant if needed. I use my own homemade broth recipes (linked above), which fit all of these dietary needs. Obviously, use vegetable broth if making vegetarian or vegan.
• Tomatoes: I prefer to use canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices), which have such incredible flavor, but you can use non-fire roasted diced tomatoes if desired, which are way cheaper. I also add tomato paste for more tomato-y flavor.
• Beans: While untraditional, my preferred beans for this minestrone soup with chicken are canned garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) as I always have them in my pantry and they uphold well when pressure cooked. Leave these out if making this minestrone Paleo, Whole30, Keto, or low carb.
• Garnish (Optional): Top it off with fresh grated parmesan (omit if needing dairy-free, Paleo, and Whole30) and fresh chopped Italian parsley.

Specific ingredient quantities and preparation instructions are listed in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Minestrone Soup in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prep Ingredients
Before starting to cook this chicken minestrone soup recipe, you'll want to prep all of the ingredients except for the frozen green beans, which should be left in the freezer until the soup is done cooking.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then chop it into bite-sized pieces, about ½-inch in size. Toss the chicken in a small bowl with a generous sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper. Use your hands to toss the chicken to evenly coat each piece in seasoning. Set the bowl aside for a moment.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
Warm up your Instant Pot (IP) by hitting the "Sauté" button, or place a large skillet on medium heat on the stovetop if using a slow cooker. Add olive oil and, if you're using garlic, sauté it for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to keep from burning. Then, toss in the leek greens (or onion), carrots, celery, and zucchini. Let them cook for about 4 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Brown the Chicken
Stir the seasoned chicken pieces into your pot or skillet and let them cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to lock in the chicken's seasoning and juices.

Step 5: Sauté the Italian Seasoning
Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and stir constantly for 30 seconds. This softens the dried herbs and unlocks their aromatic flavors, adding a delightful depth to your minestrone soup.

Step 6: Deglaze
Pour 1 cup of broth into the pot or skillet and gently scrape the bottom to loosen up those tasty browned bits. These are pure flavor! If you're using an IP, hit “Cancel” once done; if using a skillet, take it off the heat.

Step 7: Assemble the Soup
It's time to bring everything together! Add the diced tomatoes (juice included), garbanzo beans, tomato paste, dried chives (if using), nutritional yeast (if using), salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if you're feeling bold). Give it all a good stir to mix thoroughly. Pour in the remaining 3 cups of broth and stir once more to combine.

Step 8: Cook

If using an Instant Pot: Seal the lid, hit the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" button, and set the timer for 5 minutes on high pressure. Once timer beeps, let the pot naturally release pressure for 5 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure manually.

Open the lid and stir in the green beans.

If using a Slow Cooker: Transfer everything from the skillet to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. Add the green beans in the final 30 minutes of cooking.

Step 9: Taste
Once it's cool enough, taste the soup and adjust the seasonings per your personal preferences.

Step 10: Serve
Ladle your hearty minestrone soup with chicken into bowls and garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh chopped Italian parsley if desired.

What to Serve With Chicken Minestrone Soup

If it suits your dietary needs, serve this chicken minestrone soup with buttery sourdough bread or crackers (gluten-free if needed), a fresh side salad, or a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich.

Frequently Asked Questions