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    Home » Soups

    Instant Pot Chicken Cilantro Soup

    Published: Jan 19, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 96 Comments

    3406 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Bright and spicy ginger and aromatic cilantro stand out in this Indian twist on traditional chicken soup. Filled with just-cooked fresh, crunchy cabbage and carrots, this one-dish meal is perfect for lunch or a light dinner. Look to the variations for a vegan option, and add whichever veggies you like.

    chicken cilantro soup served in a white bowl
    Jump to:
    • A healthy take on Indo Chinese Favorite
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • Serving
    • Storing
    • Meal Prepping
    • Recipe

    A healthy take on Indo Chinese Favorite

    A delicacy from Indo-Chinese restaurants, Chicken Cilantro Soup has complementing flavors from lemon, ginger, and chilies, crunchy vegetables, and soft cooked chicken making it a flavor and nutrition-packed meal.

    This recipe is a combination of my mom's chicken soup and the lemon coriander soup from the Indo-Chinese restaurants that I have enjoyed for years. It uses mom's chicken soup loaded with ginger, garlic, and cilantro as a base, to which I add more vegetables and chicken to make it a one-pot meal that is feel-go and packed with immune-boosting nutrients.

    NOTE: Fresh cilantro in India is called coriander, this recipe does not use coriander seeds

    I love the convenience of making this in the Instant Pot pressure cooker. It perfectly cooks the Chicken breasts that can be shredded in minutes and makes a healthy flavor-packed broth at the same time.

    closeup photo of the lemon coriander soup

    This is a versatile recipe that can easily be adjusted to individual preferences. It can be made completely plant-based too, check out my vegetarian cilantro soup recipe!

    Variations

    • Skip the chicken all together and follow the remaining recipe to make a perfect vegan soup. Just replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth
    • Adjust the thickening, corn starch, or arrowroot powder,  to the textures you prefer. I enjoy the soupy texture, so for me, 3 tablespoon of cornstarch works well. You can adjust it from 3-6 tablespoons to get a thicker consistency
    • Add more or less green chilies and fresh ginger to take the spice level up or down
    • Go ahead and double up on cilantro if you have extra

    Instructions

    Step by step recipe to make Chicken Cilantro Soup in the Instant Pot:

    • Turn Instant Pot to Saute(more) mode and heat oil. Add garlic, green chilies, ginger, and cilantro stems. Mix well.
    • Add chicken breasts, black peppercorn, salt, water, and broth. Give a quick stir and close Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing.
    • Pressure cook for 10 minutes followed by Natural Pressure Release. Open Instant Pot and take the chicken breasts out.
    steps one through four of making chicken cilantro soup
    • Take a large bowl and strain the broth. Squeeze out any juices by gently pressing the stems in the strainer. Discard the stems from the strainer. Reserve the broth.
    • Shred the chicken with a fork and keep aside.
    • Rinse and dry the Instant Pot insert. Put the insert back and set the Instant Pot to sauté mode.
    • Add the remaining oil, cabbage, carrots, and remaining ginger. Mix well.
    steps five through eight of making chicken cilantro soup
    • Add shredded chicken, reserved broth, and corn starch water. Mix well and bring the soup to a gentle boil
    • Turn Instant Pot off. Add fresh ground pepper, lemon juice, and chopped cilantro. Mix well and enjoy hot
    steps none through twelve of making chicken cilantro soup

    Serving

    Serve this delicious soup as a light gluten-free meal for lunch or dinner. Pair it with Hakka Noodles or Kimchi Fried Rice for a hearty meal.

    Storing

    Any leftover soup can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.

    Meal Prepping

    This soup is a good meal prep recipe. Simply pressure cook, shred the chicken and strain the broth. Add shredded chicken to the broth and refrigerate. When ready to serve, saute ginger, cabbage, and carrots for that perfect crunchy bite.

    Did you enjoy this healthy and delicious one-pot meal? We love soups year-round and here are some of our family favorites:

    • Low carb chicken mulligatawny soup
    • EASY chicken tortellini soup
    • Creamy Tomato Bisque
    • Mexican chicken tortilla soup
    • Vegetarian Coconut Curry Noodle Soup
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup
    • Quick and comforting Lasagna Soup

    ★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    chicken cilantro soup served in a white bowl
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    4.59 from 82 votes

    Instant Pot Chicken Coriander Soup

     A flavorful and healthy soup with chicken, lots of fresh cilantro, cabbage and carrots packed with nutrients. 
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 168kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons oil divided
    • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
    • 3 green chillies sliced or 1 to 2 jalapenos
    • 2 tablespoons grated ginger divided
    • 1 cup cilantro stems roughly chopped
    • 1 pound chicken breasts
    • 12 black peppercorns
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 cups water
    • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth we used better than bouillon
    • 1 cup cabbage thinly sliced
    • 1 cup carrots julienned
    • 3 tablespoons corn starch or arrowroot powder mixed in 1 cup of water
    • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper optional
    • ½ cup cilantro chopped
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

    Instructions

    • Turn Instant Pot to Saute(more) mode and heat half of the oil. Add garlic, green chilies, half of the ginger and cilantro stems. Mix well.
    • Add chicken breasts, black peppercorn, salt, water and broth. Give a quick stir and close Instant Pot with pressure valve to sealing.
    • Pressure cook for 10 minutes followed by Natural Pressure Release.
    • Open Instant Pot and take the chicken breasts out. Shred the chicken with a fork and keep aside.
    • Take a large bowl and strain the broth. Squeeze out any juices by gently pressing the stems in the strainer. Discard the stems from the strainer. Reserve the broth.
    • Rinse and dry the Instant Pot insert. Put the insert back and set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add the remaining oil, cabbage, carrots, and remaining ginger. Mix well.
    • Add shredded chicken, reserved broth, and corn starch water.
    • Mix well and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Turn Instant Pot off. Add fresh ground pepper, lemon juice, and chopped cilantro. Enjoy hot!

    Video

    Notes

    Vegetarian Version
    • Skip the chicken all together and follow the remaining recipe to make a perfect vegan soup. Just replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. If you can find enoki mushrooms, they add a great crunch too. Stir them in the end along with the carrots and cabbage  
    • Here is my vegan lemon coriander soup with tofu
    Variations
    • Adjust the corn starch or arrowroot powder, to the textures you prefer. 
    • Adjust green chilies and fresh ginger to take the spice level up or down. 
    • Go ahead and double up on cilantro if you have extra. 
    Storing
    Any leftover soup can be refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.
    Meal Prepping
    This soup is a good meal prep recipe. Simply pressure cook, shred the chicken and strain the broth. Add shredded chicken to the broth and refrigerate. When ready to serve, saute ginger, cabbage, and carrots for that perfect crunchy bite.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 783mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3945IU | Vitamin C: 23.7mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.6mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    ♥ We LOVE to hear from you! Did you try this recipe? Please share your food photo with hashtag #ministryofcurry on Facebook or Instagram, so we can see it and our followers can enjoy it too! Thank you and Happy Cooking ♥ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. S.K. says

      December 02, 2020 at 1:36 am

      This is just one of many recipes I’ve tried from your website and cookbook- and it did not fail. In fact it surpassed my expectations. The soup was SO flavorful and it really hit the spot on a cold wintry day. I’m definitely going to make this vegetarian next time, for family members who don’t eat meat but I was really surprised at how much flavor the chicken soaked up. This will be a go to in the fall/winter for me!!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Gabby says

      December 02, 2020 at 9:19 pm

      Wow! I almost changed a few things from this recipe underestimating it’s flavor. I am SO HAPPY I did not! I want to eat this morning, noon, and night. I ended up adding possibly 2-3 more cups of water and additional Better Than Boullion to taste (I like broth). Even still, it did not dilute the spice from the oils of the jalapeño and other spices/ingredients. I also added some lemon grass when sautéing the cabbage and carrots. GREAT RECIPE! Side note: I will never trash cilantro stems again.5 stars

      Reply
    3. Dahlia Talukdar says

      December 17, 2020 at 6:47 pm

      How long should I cook this if I use frozen chicken?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 18, 2020 at 10:58 am

        15 mins.

        Reply
    4. Kerry Roberts says

      January 09, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      I Ministry of Curry recipes! This chicken cilantro soup is one of my favorites! You have to try this recipe if you love cilantro! You will not be disappointed!!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Amruta says

      January 09, 2021 at 11:54 pm

      Such a simple healthy yet full of fresh flavors soup. It’s a staple in our home every other week. Thank you for introducing us to such amazing flavors5 stars

      Reply
    6. Prajakti says

      January 10, 2021 at 10:12 am

      Tried this for dinner. Came out very well. Thank you!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Rumana Barodawalla says

      January 11, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      My family loved this soup .. so flavorful!!5 stars

      Reply
    8. Pari says

      January 23, 2021 at 4:30 pm

      Hello Archana, what should the cook time be if I’m using chicken tenderloins instead of breast? I was thinking 6 mins. Do you think that would work? Also I’ll be doubling my recipe but I don’t have enough broth, can I just substitute with water? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 27, 2021 at 10:51 am

        Yes 6 mins for tenderloins and you may substitute broth with water, just add some extra salt

        Reply
    9. div says

      January 25, 2021 at 5:44 pm

      Is there a healthy substitute for cornstarch? thanks.5 stars

      Reply
      • div says

        January 25, 2021 at 5:46 pm

        I meant for those who follow a paleo diet. thanks

        Reply
      • Archana says

        January 27, 2021 at 10:42 am

        Arrowroot flour

        Reply
    10. div says

      January 25, 2021 at 5:50 pm

      Is there a substitute for cornstarch for those who follow the Paleo diet?5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 27, 2021 at 10:42 am

        Yes! Use arrowroot flour instead.

        Reply
        • Shilpa says

          April 16, 2021 at 9:16 pm

          I’ve made it a couple of times simply love it. Can you please let know how to cook it in pressure cooker? Want to make it for my family when I go to India. They don’t have IP.

          Reply
          • Archana says

            April 18, 2021 at 7:45 am

            For stove top pressure cook, you can cook it for 2 to 3 whistles depending on the thickness of the chicken

            Reply
    11. Manal says

      January 29, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      The best chicken soup. Ever.5 stars

      Reply
    12. Surabhi says

      February 10, 2022 at 10:47 pm

      We all love this soup so much!! My 6 and 2 yr olds also love it .. it is a weekday staple in our house now!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 11, 2022 at 4:30 pm

        I am so glad your kids enjoy it too!

        Reply
    13. Niharika says

      August 12, 2022 at 12:05 am

      This is my go to soup when I am sick. So easy to make and so comforting to eat.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 14, 2022 at 11:21 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    14. Sean says

      August 18, 2022 at 9:32 am

      Question: what size Instant Pot should be used?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 25, 2022 at 4:13 pm

        6-QT would be perfect for this recipe.

        Reply
    15. Karine Matteau says

      December 12, 2022 at 8:33 pm

      Confort food at its best, we all loved it! Didn’t have green chilies so I put 2 dried jalapeños5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 13, 2022 at 2:33 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    16. Laura says

      January 22, 2023 at 8:29 pm

      Delicious flavor!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 23, 2023 at 9:15 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

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