Comfort in a Bowl: Easy Instant Pot Gluten & Dairy-Free Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup

A big, hearty soup that comes together incredibly easily in your Instant Pot! Thick, creamy, and brimming with wholesome vegetables, this gluten and dairy-free delight is destined to become your winter comfort food favorite. This Instant Pot Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup is thoughtfully crafted to be free of egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, with a simple soy-free option available too. It’s truly a soup for everyone to enjoy.

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Growing up, my mother’s Chicken & Wild Rice soup was a culinary masterpiece in our household, a true taste of home that I eagerly anticipated, especially during the colder months. Forget the cheese and broccoli soup I once persecuted her for making (sorry, Mom, I understand now!). It was her creamy, flavorful chicken and wild rice that held a special place in my heart.

However, after my son’s food allergy diagnosis, a cloud settled over my favorite winter tradition. The original recipe, as I fondly remembered it, relied on butter and often used Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice packets, which, at the time, contained wheat. Facing several winters without my beloved comfort soup was a real bummer, and I longed to recreate that familiar warmth in a safe, allergy-friendly way.

The Evolution: From Stovetop to Speedy Instant Pot Perfection

My journey to recreate this cherished dish began with a stovetop rendition a few years ago. While it was a delicious step in the right direction, I have to admit, it was a tad complicated and required considerable patience. The brown and wild rice took an eternity to soften, making it a labor of love that I still undertook frequently because, well, I loved the soup that much! This blog, after all, is about evolving, and I knew there had to be an easier way.

The game-changer arrived last Christmas: my Instant Pot. I knew instantly that one of its first missions would be to tackle my favorite chicken and wild rice soup, transforming it into a quick, effortless meal. And that’s exactly what happened! This Instant Pot version is not just easier; it’s a revelation. It has once again reclaimed its spot as my absolute favorite soup, now with the added bonus of being entirely gluten and dairy-free without sacrificing an ounce of flavor or creamy texture.

The true test came when I served this Instant Pot Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup to my entire family for Christmas Eve dinner. We needed something easy, comforting, and filling to power us through before the serious business of decorating cookies for Santa. My mom’s seal of approval felt incredibly satisfying, bringing my culinary journey full circle.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

This soup isn’t just a recipe; it’s a hug in a bowl, designed to bring warmth and joy without the worry of common allergens. Here’s why it deserves a spot on your regular meal rotation:

Allergy-Friendly Comfort: Free from gluten, dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts, with a simple swap for a soy-free option. This means more families can gather around the table and enjoy a delicious meal together.
Effortless Instant Pot Preparation: The Instant Pot truly works its magic here, drastically cutting down on cooking time and active prep. The pressure cooker ensures perfectly cooked wild rice and tender chicken every time, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Hearty & Wholesome: Packed with lean chicken, earthy mushrooms, nutritious wild rice, and a medley of vegetables like carrots, celery, and onion, this soup is incredibly filling and nourishing.
Rich, Creamy Texture (Without the Dairy!): Thanks to dairy-free cream cheese and careful seasoning, you get all the creamy goodness you expect from a traditional chicken and wild rice soup, but without any dairy.
Flavorful & Satisfying: The blend of herbs and spices (especially if you use a seasoned wild rice blend or add your own) creates a depth of flavor that’s both comforting and exciting.

For a visual guide on how to whip up this amazing Instant Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup, check out the video below, or find it directly on my YouTube channel!

How to Make This Delicious Instant Pot Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup

Creating this incredibly comforting soup in your Instant Pot is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by hitting the “Saute” button on your Instant Pot. Once hot, add a tablespoon of olive oil. Introduce your finely diced yellow onion and minced garlic cloves, stirring frequently until they become fragrant and lightly softened, which usually takes about a minute. This step builds the foundational flavor of your soup.
Add Remaining Ingredients: Turn off the “Saute” function. Now, it’s time to add the bulk of your soup ingredients. Toss in the diced carrots, celery stalks, raw chicken breasts, 1 cup of your chosen long grain and wild rice combo, sliced button mushrooms, 4 oz of dairy-free cream cheese, and 5 cups of water combined with 3 and a half tablespoons of chicken bouillon. Give everything a good stir to ensure it’s well mixed.
Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and make sure the sealing valve is set to “Sealing.” Select the “Manual” (or “Pressure Cook”) setting and set the cooking time for 25 minutes. The Instant Pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure before the cooking time begins.
Finish and Serve: Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid, remove the cooked chicken breasts, and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir the soup well, making sure to smooth out any remaining lumps from the dairy-free cream cheese until the soup is wonderfully creamy. Taste and adjust the salt and fresh pepper as needed. Serve immediately and enjoy your hearty, homemade soup!

I truly hope this comforting Instant Pot soup brings as much joy to your family as it does to ours. Allergy-friendly soups are a lifeline during the bleak winter months, and this recipe is sure to get you through! (Don’t forget to check out my roundup of 20+ allergy-friendly winter soups for more inspiration!)

Frequently Asked Questions About This Instant Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup:

What wild rice do you recommend for the Instant Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup?

For this recipe, I often use a specific wild rice blend I source from Winco’s bulk section. While they don’t sell on Amazon, you can find it directly from their website (this is an unsponsored recommendation!). I particularly like this blend because it includes dehydrated vegetables, herbs, and spices, which beautifully enhances the soup’s flavor without needing to add extra seasonings.

If you’re unable to find a similar seasoned blend, simply look for any gluten-free wild rice mixture. Keep in mind that a plain wild rice mix will require you to add more spices to achieve a rich flavor profile. I suggest starting with at least a teaspoon each of dried parsley, garlic salt, and salt, then adjust to your personal taste preferences.

If you don’t need this chicken & wild rice soup to be gluten-free, what wild rice can I use?

For those who do not have a wheat or gluten sensitivity, you can opt for one cup of an Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice mix. Please be aware that the packaging for this product often states it “may contain milk,” so always double-check the label if dairy is a concern for you.

Can you use regular cream cheese if you don’t need this soup to be dairy-free?

Absolutely! If dairy is part of your diet, feel free to swap out the dairy-free cream cheese for an equal amount of regular cream cheese. Either way, you’ll end up with a creamy chicken and rice soup. The goal is to make this recipe work best for your individual dietary needs. For us, with my son’s dairy allergy, dairy-free options are essential.

What dairy-free cream cheese do you recommend?

Given my son’s milk allergy, we prioritize dairy-free options. Since we can have soy, our top choice is Tofutti (a completely unsponsored endorsement). Another great alternative we enjoy is the Go Veggie brand.

If you require a cream cheese that is both soy-free AND dairy-free, Daiya offers an excellent option made from coconuts. As a refrigerated product, it can be a bit harder to find online links, but you can typically locate Daiya products at most natural food stores or in the dairy-alternative section of larger supermarkets.

What chicken bouillon do you recommend for this Instant Pot soup?

My go-to bouillon, which I use for everything from soups to various recipes, is Orrington Farms. It’s naturally gluten and dairy-free, but its fantastic flavor truly appeals to everyone, regardless of their dietary restrictions. It’s available in several variations, including Chicken, Beef, Vegetable, and Vegan, making it a versatile pantry staple.

Tips for the Best Instant Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Don’t Skip the Sauté: Sautéing the onion and garlic at the beginning deepens the flavor profile of the entire soup.
Check Your Wild Rice: As mentioned in the FAQs, if using a plain wild rice blend, be sure to add extra seasonings to taste.
Shredding Chicken: For perfectly shredded chicken, remove the cooked breasts from the pot, shred them on a cutting board, then stir them back into the soup. This prevents over-shredding or uneven pieces.
Adjust Seasoning: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper at the very end. Different bouillons can vary in sodium content, and your preference might differ.
Creaminess Factor: Make sure to stir well after adding the dairy-free cream cheese to ensure it fully melts and incorporates, creating that lovely creamy consistency.

More Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Soups to Explore!

If you cherish gluten and dairy-free soups as much as we do, you’ll love these other comforting and delicious recipes:

Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Allergy Friendly Taco Soup
Gluten & Dairy Free Thai Coconut Soup
Potato & Sausage Soup
Slow Cooker Green Enchilada Soup
Slow Cooker Pizza Soup
Gluten Free Vegan Minestrone
Dairy Free Tomato Basil Soup
Gluten Free Dairy Free Chicken and Rice Soup
Dairy Free Crack Chicken Noodle Soup (Gluten Free too!)
*Don’t forget I have an entire winter meal plan too!

Remember – I have ten Instant Pot soup recipes featured in my allergy-friendly Instant Pot cookbook. And, if you’re looking to spice things up even further, consider trying this delightful Peruvian Turkey Soup from fellow blogger Amanda at EatAtOurTable.com.

Gluten & Dairy-free Instant Pot Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice

Yield:
5-6 servings

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
35 minutes

A big, hearty soup that is made super easily in your instant pot! Thick and filled with veggies this gluten and dairy free soup will be winter’s best friend. This Gluten & Dairy-free Instant Pot Chicken, Mushroom & Wild Rice is also free of: egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts, with a soy free option too!

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced finely
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks
2 chicken breasts, raw
1 cup long grain rice & wild rice combo (see blog post above)*
1 package of button mushrooms, sliced
4 oz dairy-free cream cheese (see blog post above for substitutions)
5 cups water + 3 and 1/2 Tablespoons chicken bouillon
salt and fresh pepper, to taste

Instructions

Push the “saute” button and add your olive oil. Add your garlic cloves and onion and stir frequently until fragrant, about 1 minute. Turn off the “saute” function and add in the rest of your ingredients.
Hit “manual” and set it for 25 minutes.
Once it’s done, allow for a quick release and then take out your chicken. Shred it, and then add it back into the soup. Mix well, and smooth out any remaining lumps from the dairy-free cream cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

*I’ve always had to buy my wild rice pilaf from Winco because the Uncle Ben’s used to have wheat in it. Recently (2024) I checked on a whim Uncle Ben’s again and it did NOT have wheat anymore. If that is the case, you can use it in this recipe. Just be sure to check the actual package on hand, to ensure that this change lasts, and that you don’t have an older box.

*Our allergies, while severe and that get re-tested frequently, are such that we can go strictly by what’s on the label. I do not call companies to see what things are derived from, or call manufacturers to see about potential cross contact. If your allergies require you to do so, please do your own homework. I cannot assure you of any ingredient’s safety, only you can do that. I simply share what works for our family.

**If you are going to feed this to someone with food allergies, and you yourself do not have food allergies, I HIGHLY recommend having them check every single brand and ingredient you are using, to ensure they’re OK with each part of the recipe. And, to make sure you’ve talked to them about how to avoid cross contamination in your kitchen.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 236Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 340mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 16g

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT! ALSO, CHECK OUT MY OTHER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY PINTEREST BOARDS.

Looking for more allergy-friendly soup recipes? Here’s some more delicious ideas:

Allergy-friendly Taco Soup (red meat free!)

Gluten & Dairy-free Thai Coconut Soup

Potato & Sausage Instant Pot Soup