There’s nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of homemade broth, but what if you could make it in a fraction of the time? Say hello to Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth, the secret weapon for anyone who loves soul-warming flavor, but isn’t keen on babysitting the stove for hours. This recipe delivers a rich, deeply savory broth with simple, wholesome ingredients and almost effortless prep, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. Whether you’re sipping it solo or using it as the base for soups and risottos, this broth will quickly become your go-to kitchen staple.

Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth is how a short, familiar ingredient list comes together for a broth that tastes way more complex than it looks. Each component brings its own subtle note, resulting in a golden, full-bodied broth everyone will love.

4 Medium Chicken Thighs: Opt for bone-in, skin-on if possible, for maximum flavor and body.
3 Celery Stalks, Cut Into 3-inch Pieces: Celery adds a fresh, aromatic backbone and gentle green hue to the broth.
3 Large Carrots, Trimmed & Cut Into 3-inch Pieces: These develop wonderful sweetness as they cook and roast.
2 Medium White Onion, Peeled & Cut Into Quarters: Onion brings depth and a touch of mellow sweetness.
2 Medium Ripe Tomatoes, Halved: Tomatoes balance the richness with acidity and a gorgeous golden color.
2 Teaspoons Olive Oil: For roasting the vegetables and chicken—don’t skip, as this adds essential roasty notes.
Salt & Pepper: Season generously to unlock all those savors lurking in your ingredients.
3 Bay Leaves: The key to aromatic, layered flavor—just tuck them in with everything else!
2 (1-inch) Pieces Peeled Fresh Ginger: Ginger offers a subtle warmth and roundness to the broth.
1 Lemon, Halved: This brightens and freshens the finished broth beautifully.
1 Hot Chili Pepper (Optional): Toss in if you like a gentle kick—totally optional for just a hint of heat.

How to Make Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth

Step 1: Roast the Chicken and Vegetables

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. On a foil-lined baking sheet, lay out the chicken thighs, celery, carrots, onions, and tomato halves in a single, even layer. Drizzle everything with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Give the whole lot a toss for even coating. Roast for about 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the veggies and chicken are beautifully browned. This roasting step is a game-changer—it coaxes out sweetness from the veggies and builds deep, rich layers of flavor in your Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth.

Step 2: Transfer Everything to the Instant Pot

Once golden and caramelized, move the chicken and vegetables straight into your Instant Pot. Toss in the bay leaves, peeled ginger pieces, lemon halves, and the chili pepper if you’re feeling spicy. These additions will simmer and infuse every drop with aromatics, punch, and vibrance.

Step 3: Add Water and Seal

Pour enough cold water into the pot to reach the maximum fill line. This ensures you get the most broth possible out of your ingredients while giving everything plenty of space to mingle flavors. Secure the lid, doublechecking the seal, and set your Instant Pot to Manual Mode for 40 minutes of cook time.

Step 4: Natural Release

Once the cooking time is up, let your Instant Pot do a natural release. This important step allows the flavors to fully develop and results in clearer, more intensely delicious broth without any rush.

Step 5: Strain the Broth

Line a colander with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl. Use a slotted spoon to remove all the chicken and vegetables (set these aside for other uses!). Then, carefully pour the hot broth through the cheesecloth, catching any solids and leaving you with a gorgeously clear, golden liquid.

Step 6: Cool and Store

Divide the broth into storage containers, leaving a bit of space for expansion if freezing. Let it cool to room temperature, then pop it in the fridge or freezer as needed for fresh broth on demand.

How to Serve Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth

Garnishes

You can drink this broth straight out of the pot, but a handful of fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon lifts its flavors even higher. Try snipping in chives, parsley, or dill for herby brightness, or float a swirl of chili oil for heat. A grind of black pepper just before serving always feels extra cozy.

Side Dishes

This Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth is perfection alongside crusty bread or a chunk of toasted sourdough for dunking. It’s also lovely served as a starter before a classic roast chicken dinner or as the foundational broth for your favorite noodle or dumpling soups.

Creative Ways to Present

Pour your golden broth into elegant mugs for sipping, or ladle it into wide, shallow bowls and top with sautéed greens or a poached egg. For an impressive dinner party touch, garnish with edible flowers or a sprinkle of smoked sea salt just before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to five days. Allow it to cool completely before sealing in airtight jars. You may notice the broth develops a lovely gel as it cools; that’s a sign you’ve coaxed every bit of delicious collagen from the chicken—don’t worry, it turns liquid again when reheated!

Freezing

This broth is made for batch cooking. Pour cooled broth into freezer-safe containers or silicone cubes for individual portions. Leave a bit of room at the top, as the liquid expands as it freezes. Frozen broth will stay fresh for up to three months—just thaw overnight in the fridge or gently warm from frozen as needed.

Reheating

For best results, reheat your broth on the stovetop over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. If reheating from frozen, pop the broth block into a saucepan with a splash of water. Stir occasionally until fully thawed and piping hot. You can also microwave individual servings in bursts, just cover to avoid splatters.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

While you can substitute chicken breasts, thighs (especially bone-in and skin-on) provide a richer, more full-bodied broth. If you must use breasts, try adding a few extra bones or wings for better depth.

Is it necessary to roast the vegetables and chicken first?

Roasting isn’t strictly necessary, but it truly adds a gorgeous depth and caramelized sweetness to your Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth. Skipping this step will result in a lighter broth, but you’ll lose some depth of flavor.

How do I make the broth less fatty?

Once chilled, chicken broth will form a layer of fat on top. Simply spoon this off before reheating or serving to lighten things up, or leave it in for extra richness if you prefer.

Can I add other vegetables or herbs?

Absolutely! Feel free to toss in things like leeks, parsley stems, or a clove of garlic for more complexity. Just avoid cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli), which can add bitterness.

Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

You can create an equally delicious vegetable broth by omitting the chicken and increasing the variety of veggies and aromatics—think mushrooms, extra carrots, and more fresh herbs.

Final Thoughts

Once you experience the magic of Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth, you may never go back to store-bought again. This method brings unbeatable flavor and homemade comfort to your table with so little effort. Give it a try and discover just how simple and satisfying homemade broth can be—you’ll want a stash in your fridge and freezer at all times!

Amazingly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth Recipe