Category: Instant Pot

Instant Pot, Under 10 WW SmartPoints

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings Soup

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings Soup

With tomorrow being October, soup season is in the air (though I never stopped making it)! This decadent soup is perfect for a cozy night in, and in the Instant Pot, it can’t be any easier!

Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

4 cups celery, chopped

4 cups carrots, chopped

1 yellow onion, diced

4 cups chicken broth

1 package Grands! Homestyle Biscuits dough (8 biscuits)

2 bay leaves

1 tsp ground sage

1 tsp dried parsley

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp butter

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Set the Instant Pot to saute mode. Melt the tbsp of butter and add in onions. After a minute, add in carrots and celery.
  2. After you have sautéed for about 4 minutes, add in thyme, garlic powder, parsley flakes, ground sage, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir it together with veggies.
  3. Add in chicken broth and chicken thighs.
  4. Take biscuit dough out of the package and cut in quarters. Sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and a little ground sage for flavoring.
  5. Place quartered biscuit dough on top of chicken thighs in the Instant Pot.
  6. Close and lock the Instant Pot. Set the valve to “sealing.”
  7. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. After pressure builds and cooking time has completed, allow to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes (timer should read LO:15). Then, do a quick release of the pressure.
  8. Break up biscuits that may have stuck together. Remove chicken thighs and shred. Return shredded chicken back to soup.
  9. Serves six!
Before cooking! Ready to place biscuits on top.
Raw dough placed on top! Ready to seal the Instant Pot for cooking.
Set timer for 5 minutes, high pressure.
After cooking is done, let pressure naturally release for 15 minutes. Instant Pot should look like this! Then, quick release the remaining pressure.
Break up biscuits, shred chicken, and serve!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 10 points per serving (6 servings total). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Print a copy for your recipe binder!

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Instant Pot, Italian, Pasta, Under 10 WW SmartPoints

Instant Pot Chicken Piccata

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Instant Pot Chicken Piccata

One of my favorite combination of flavors involves lemon, butter, olive oil, and garlic…but really, who wouldn’t like that? This Instant Pot chicken piccata recipe is a simple one pot meal that combines the functions of sautéing and pressure cooking to create the most delectable chicken and juices to pour over your favorite pasta, rice, or veggies.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut thin or in strips (I bought tenderloins)

1/4 cup all purpose flour

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp butter

2 lemons

1 clove garlic, minced

2 small shallots, finely diced

1 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup capers, rinsed and drained

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Pat chicken dry. If it is a thicker breast, butterfly it and slice it into thinner pieces. I used chicken breast tenderloins and they worked perfectly!
  2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place flour on a plate. Toss the seasoned chicken in the flour to coat.
  3. Place your Instant Pot in “saute” mode. Melt the butter and pour the olive oil in the pot until hot. Brown the chicken in the oil and butter until golden/brown on the outside (will not be fully cooked through yet). About 2-3 minutes per side. Do this in batches, if necessary.
  4. Remove chicken to a plate.
  5. Quickly add shallots and garlic to the hot oil and butter. Stir around for about 30 seconds – 1 minute until fragrant–be very careful not to burn them!
  6. Add chicken broth into the Instant Pot to deglaze (be sure to scrape off any stuck brown bits from the bottom of the pot during this step –this will prevent a “BURN” notice when pressure cooking).
  7. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon and layer slices from the other lemon in the liquid.
  8. Add chicken back into the pot and stir together.
  9. Close your Instant Pot with the lid and set the top valve to “Sealing” mode. Set to High Pressure for 4 minutes (more time may be needed for a thicker piece of chicken).
  10. Once 4 minutes has completed, allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes (don’t touch anything, pot will read LO:05).
  11. Release the pressure carefully, add in the rinsed and drained capers, and serve over pasta, rice, or veggies!

**NOTE: I do not thicken the sauce because I like to pour it over pasta as a lemon/butter sauce. Feel free to thicken it with additional flour at the end!**

Season the chicken
Dredge in flour
Brown in the butter/ olive oil
Remove chicken / add shallots and garlic to the Instant Pot
Deglaze pot with chicken broth / add lemon juice and lemon slices … then mix chicken back in and pressure cook for 4 minutes!
Ready to release the pressure and add the capers!
That sauce, though…
Serve and enjoy!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 6 points per serving of chicken with sauce (add more for whatever you serve it with). This recipe makes 4 servings total. Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Print a copy for your recipe binder!


Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Instant Pot

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pies

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pies

One of my favorite things about the Instant Pot is the ability to cook something without having to watch it. Once you get it going, it does the work for you! Unfortunately with this recipe, you will need to put the pot pies in the oven to crisp up the crust, but the majority of the work will be done for you by the pressure cooker.

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed

4 cups chicken broth

2 chicken bouillon cubes

3 tbsp butter

1 diced yellow onion

2 cups chopped carrots

2 cups cubed yellow potatoes

1 14-oz. package frozen pearl onions

1 10-oz package frozen peas

1/4 cup heavy cream

3/4 cups all purpose flour

3 tbsp dried parsley

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 packages Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

1 egg (for egg wash)

Directions

  1. Set the Instant Pot to “saute mode.” Add in butter and allow to melt. Once melted, add in onions. Stir.
  2. Add in cubed chicken and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until browned on the outside (not cooked through yet).
  3. Add in 2 cups of chicken broth, and make sure there are no bits of chicken stuck to the bottom of the pot. If there are, scrape them up with a wooden spoon.
  4. Add in carrots, potatoes, and frozen pearl onions. Close and lock the lid. Set to “sealing” mode.
  5. Set on high pressure mode for 8 minutes. Allow some time for the pressure to build.
  6. Once time is up, quick release to allow pressure to release.
  7. Depending on how much liquid you have, add in additional chicken broth. Add in frozen peas.
  8. Next, add in heavy cream. Determine the consistency you would like for the pot pie mixture. If serving as a soup, you may not need to thicken it. If serving as a pot pie, add flour until thickened to your liking.
  9. Ladle mixture into individual pot pie bowls on a baking sheet (this recipe makes about 8 servings).
  10. Open the crescent rolls and place two crescents over each pot pie.
  11. Beat 1 egg and mix with 1 tbsp water to create an egg wash.
  12. Brush the egg wash over each pot pie and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley.
  13. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-14 minutes.
Veggie mixture before going in!
Cook the outside of the chicken a bit on saute mode before pressure cooking.
Before cooking!
Enjoy!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 12 points per pot pie. Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Print a copy of this recipe for your recipe binder!

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Beef, Instant Pot, Under 10 WW SmartPoints

Instant Pot Beef Stew

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Instant Pot Beef Stew

Even though the summer months are quickly approaching, a gloomy day always gets me in the mood for a hearty soup or stew. This Instant Pot Beef Stew was a perfect cozy touch to this rainy New Jersey night!

Ingredients

1.5 lbs stew meat, cubed

1/4 cup flour

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 tsp kosher salt

5 tsp vegetable oil

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 cup red cooking wine

1 packet McCormick Beef Stew seasoning

4 cups beef broth

2 bay leaves

2 cups cubed gold potatoes

2 cups chopped carrots

2 cups chopped celery

Directions

  1. Combine the flour, salt, and pepper on a plate. Coat each piece of beef in the flour mixture.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to “Saute” mode. Pour 3 tsp of vegetable oil in. Once hot, begin browning the beef, in batches. Be sure not to overcrowd the pot. Remove each batch of browned beef to a plate once it is sufficiently browned, about 5 minutes per batch. Add additional oil between batches if needed.
  3. Remove all beef. Add in the vinegar, cooking wine, and beef broth. The pot will have a lot of brown bits stuck to it which need to be scraped up with a wooden spoon before pressure cooking (this will prevent the “BURN” notice). This is known as “deglazing.”
  4. Once the pot is sufficiently deglazed and no more brown bits are stuck to the bottom, add the beef, seasoning pack, and bay leaves into the liquid. Cancel saute mode.
  5. Set the Instant Pot to the Meat/Stew setting for 45 minutes. Flip your vent to “Sealing” mode before beginning the pressure cooking. It will take some time to build pressure before cooking time begins.
  6. After 45 minutes completes, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes (it will read LO:10). After the natural pressure release is complete, flip the vent to “Venting” mode to quick release the rest of the pressure. Be sure to use a hand towel or spoon to avoid steam burn.
  7. Stir beef mixture and add in vegetables.
  8. Close the pot and set back to “Sealing” mode. Pressure cook on high for 9 minutes. Complete a 10 minute natural pressure release after 9 minutes cooking time is completed (should read LO:10 again).
  9. Serve over egg noodles, rice, or on its own!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 9 points per serving of beef stew (about 6 servings total). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app (calculate points for whatever you add separately).

Print a copy of this recipe for your recipe binder!

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Instant Pot, Party Favorites, Under 10 WW SmartPoints, Under 5 WW SmartPoints

Instant Pot Shredded Salsa Chicken

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Instant Pot Shredded Salsa Chicken

One of my go-to Instant Pot meals for meal prepping is this easy shredded salsa chicken. You can put them in rice bowls, flour/corn tortillas, or you can just eat it on its own with all the fixings!

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 jar salsa of choice

1 packet taco seasoning

1 cup water

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can corn, rinsed and drained

Rice / guacamole / sour cream for creating the bowls

Directions

  1. Place the chicken breasts in your Instant Pot. Cover with 1 cup water.
  2. Close the lid of the pot and turn the valve to “Sealing.” Set on manual pressure for 9 minutes. Allow pressure to build and cook time to complete.
  3. Once 9 minutes of cook time is completed, allow for 5 minutes of natural release before flipping the valve to “Venting.”
  4. Remove the chicken and shred. Drain liquid from the pot.
  5. Place shredded chicken back in the Instant Pot and place on “Saute” mode. Add in jar of salsa, taco seasoning, and drained and rinsed corn and beans.
  6. Stir in until flavors are combined and corn softens to your liking.
  7. Serve over rice, salad, tacos, etc! Top with guacamole, sour cream, cheese, etc.

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 1 point per serving of chicken. Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app (calculate points for whatever you add separately).

Print a copy of this recipe for your recipe binder!

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Instant Pot, Turkey, Under 10 WW SmartPoints, Under 5 WW SmartPoints

Instant Pot Turkey Chili

by aspoonfulofsimpleblogLeave a Comment on Instant Pot Turkey Chili

One of my favorite things to use my Instant Pot for is chili. The combination of the saute function and the pressure cooking allows for the same great flavors that simmering on a stovetop takes hours to accomplish. Plus, if you follow Weight Watchers, this chili is only 1 Freestyle SmartPoint! So it’s delicious and guilt free.

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground turkey breast

1 chopped yellow onion

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

3 tablespoons tomato paste

2 cups regular chicken broth

2 10 oz. cans of Rotel fire roasted diced tomatoes and green chiles

1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 15 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 15 oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Shredded cheese and sour cream for topping (optional)

Directions

  1. Push the saute button on your Instant Pot. Heat olive oil and stir in chopped onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until soft and translucent.
  2. Add in ground turkey breast, stirring frequently until all fully browned and broken up. Click the “cancel” button and add in garlic.
  3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Stir to combine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot (this is important to avoid a “burn” message during pressure cooking!).
  4. This next step is also important to avoid the “burn” notice: Layer the Rotel fire roasted tomatoes and beans on top of the meat mixture and DO NOT STIR IN!!
  5. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to “sealing.” Pressure cook on high for 12 minutes. Note: It will take longer than 12 minutes because the pressure needs build first.
  6. Once the cooking time is up, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes (your pot should read LO:10).
  7. After 10 minutes, do a quick release of the pressure (be careful not to burn yourself, use an oven mitt or dish towel).
  8. Once pressure if fully released and the float valve drops, stir the chili and serve with your favorite toppings!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 1 point per serving with no toppings. Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app.

Print a copy of this recipe for your recipe binder!


Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.
Instant Pot

Instant Pot Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup

by aspoonfulofsimpleblog1 Comment on Instant Pot Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup

One of my absolute favorite comfort foods of all time is chicken noodle soup. Every time I’m sick or even if I just have a little chill, I crave it. But who has the time to cook up the good stuff from scratch? Well, with the Instant Pot, you can do it all and make the most amazing soup in under an hour with very little work or attention required.

Ingredients

1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

2 cups chopped celery

2 cups chopped carrots

1 yellow onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tbsp butter

8 cups chicken broth (I like Swanson)

1 tsp salt (add more to taste)

1 tsp fresh ground black pepper (add more to taste)

1 tbsp dried parsley

1 tbsp dried thyme leaves

1 tbsp dried oregano leaves

1 tsp dried basil

1 bay leaf

2 cups wide egg noodles

1/4 lemon

Directions

  1. Set the Instant Pot to saute mode. Add the butter and let melt, coating the bottom of the pot.
  2. Add in the diced onions, celery, and carrots. Stir occasionally until onions are translucent and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add in salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Mix well. Then add in minced garlic. Be careful not to burn it, cooking for about 1 minute before the next step.
  4. Add in 4 cups of chicken broth.
  5. Place the chicken thighs in.
  6. Add in additional 4 cups of chicken broth.
  7. Press “cancel” to stop the saute mode on your Instant Pot. Lock your lid on the pot and flip the valve to “sealing” mode. Select the “Soup/Stew” button and set it to 7 minutes. (*Note: It will take more than 7 minutes to cook. Since there is a lot of liquid, it will take some time to come to pressure before your 7 minute timer will begin. Feel free to get some other chores done during this time, the pot will work its magic!)
  8. Once the pot beeps and the 7 minutes are complete, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes (just don’t touch anything for 10 minutes!).
  9. Flip the valve to “venting” mode (use an oven mitt to do this to avoid burning from the steam release). Once all pressure is released and the float valve goes down, carefully open your pot and remove the chicken thighs.
  10. Shred them up to your liking (I like them a little chunky myself!) and return them to the soup.
  11. Set the pot to saute mode and add in the egg noodles. Cook for about 6 minutes, or until noodles are cooked.
  12. Spritz your soup with the juice of the lemon and remove the bay leaves.
  13. Serve hot!
When you put your Instant Pot on Soup/Stew mode, be sure it is flipped to “Sealing” mode.
This is what the pot looks like when it has naturally released pressure for 10 minutes!
Finished product!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 5 points for one serving (about 8 large servings total).

Print a copy for your recipe binder:

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator. Calories reflect one serving of dip only.
Instant Pot, Under 10 WW SmartPoints

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

by aspoonfulofsimpleblog1 Comment on Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

One of my favorite things to order at Mexican restaurants is chicken tortilla soup. Something about the warmth of the soup, the gooey cheese, the rich rice, the crunchy tortillas, and the soft avocados combine to make an amazing, yet simple dish. I never thought of making this soup until I came across a recipe on my Instant Pot app. With some tweaks, I’ve come across my favorite version of chicken tortilla soup. And since it’s made in the Instant Pot, you can set it and let it do the work!

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

3 10 oz. cans of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 can black beans

1 can yellow corn

1 package Uncle Ben’s (or rice of your choice) Whole Grain Ready Rice

1 avocado

1/2 lime

Shredded Mexican cheese

Tortilla chips of choice, crunched up into small pieces

Directions

  1. In your Instant Pot (I have the 6-Qt Duo Model), open the lid and combine the chicken thighs, Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, chicken broth, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
  2. Close the lid of your instant pot and be sure to set your vent to “Sealing Mode.”
Be sure the valve is towards “sealing” when you want to cook. “Venting” is for when the cooking is over and you want to vent the pot and release the pressure that has built up.

3. Set your Instant Pot to pressure cook on High for 9 minutes.

4. Once the pressure has built (give this time, it takes longer than you’d expect sometimes!), let the soup cook for 9 minutes. Then, after cooking time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release (don’t flip to venting yet) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you may quick release the vent and let the pressure decrease. (My model reads LO: + however many minutes has passed to show the natural release time –example LO:10 for this recipe!)

5. Carefully open the lid and take out chicken thighs with tongs to shred separately. Return back to the soup.

6. Set the Instant Pot to “Saute” mode for 7 minutes. Stir in strained and rinsed canned corn and black beans. Stir well.

7. As corn and black beans are heating in the soup, make the rice in the microwave. Add to the soup and stir.

8. Add in lime juice.

9. Ladle soup into bowls for serving. Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of shredded cheese (once this is mixed in it creates melty goodness), avocado, cilantro, and crushed of tortilla chips.

Feel free to omit this for your lactose intolerant friends!

Weight Watchers Freestyle SP: 8 points for one serving (about 6 servings total). Points were calculated using the Recipe Builder on the WW app. **NOTE: These points can be lessened by omitting the rice, cheese, and avocado … even more by using chicken breasts instead of thighs, though the flavor of the thighs is much better in this, in my opinion!**

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 10 oz. cans of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 can black beans
1 can yellow corn
1 package Uncle Ben’s (or rice of your choice) Whole Grain Ready Rice
1 avocado
1/2 lime
Shredded Mexican cheese
Tortilla chips of choice, crunched up into small pieces

Directions:

1. In your Instant Pot (I have the 6-Qt Duo Model), open the lid and combine the chicken thighs, Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, chicken broth, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well.

2. Close the lid of your instant pot and be sure to set your vent to “Sealing” mode.

3. Set your Instant Pot to pressure cook on High for 9 minutes.

4. Once the pressure has built (give this time, it takes longer than you’d expect sometimes!), let the soup cook for 9 minutes. Then, after cooking time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release (don’t flip to venting yet) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you may quick release the vent and let the pressure decrease. (My model reads LO: + however many minutes has passed to show the natural release time –example LO:10 for this recipe!)

5. Carefully open the lid and take out chicken thighs with tongs to shred separately. Return back to the soup.

6. Set the Instant Pot to “Saute” mode for 7 minutes. Stir in strained and rinsed canned corn and black beans. Stir well.

7. As corn and black beans are heating in the soup, make the rice in the microwave. Add to the soup and stir.

8. Add in lime juice.

9. Ladle soup into bowls for serving. Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of shredded cheese (once this is mixed in it creates melty goodness), avocado, cilantro, and crushed of tortilla chips.

Note: Nutrition information may not be exact. Ingredients were estimated and entered using verywellfit.com’s Nutrition Calculator.