Hibernation Soup–Instant Pot or Crockpot chicken, vegetable and lentil soup that is cozy and packed with flavor. A perfect meal for a chilly fall evening.
Hibernation Soup
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of soup to get you feeling all cozy and comfortable. Hibernation soup is named for its ability to make you feel cozy and content. This soup will bring fall into your mind which we all know is the best season of the year!
The soup is packed with nutritious ingredients (peppers, carrots, celery, onions, chicken and lentils) and is bursting with flavor. We love this soup the day of and even the better the next day as leftovers. It’s a perfect healthy lunch! You can make this soup in your Instant Pot or Crockpot (scroll down to the recipe card to see instructions).
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Olive oil–or butter
- Onion–yellow, white
- Celery
- Garlic cloves
- Water
- Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
- Carrots
- Diced tomatoes–or fire roasted tomatoes
- Brown lentils
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts–or thighs
- Red bell pepper–or green pepper
- Bay leaf
- Dried thyme leaves
- Dried rosemary leaves
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onions and celery and saute for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
Pour in the water and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking.
Add in the bouillon, carrots, tomatoes, lentils, chicken, bell pepper, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the SOUP button to 10 minutes. (If you don’t have a soup button then use the manual/pressure cook button on low pressure for 12 minutes). When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Discard the bay leaf. Remove the chicken cut into pieces or shred and return to the pot.
Stir and ladle into bowls and serve.
Notes/Tips
- Serve with crusty bread. I like making homemade french bread.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with lentils are Instant Pot Madras Lentils With Ground Beef and Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken And Lentils.
- Want more vegetables? Try adding in a big handful of chopped spinach after the pressure cooking time is up. This will add more nutrition and a pop of color.
- What if I don’t like lentils…what else can I use? Try replacing the lentils with a can of beans (great northern, navy, chickpeas, etc.) Drain and rinse them before adding them into the pot. You can also use a half cup of rice, if you’d like.
More Cozy Soups You’ll Love…
Instant Pot Bob Evan’s Soup
Bob Evan’s Chicken-N-Noodles Soup is a copycat version of the homey, comforting soup that can be made at home in your Instant Pot or Crockpot!
Instant Pot “Welcome Home” Soup
A brothy lemon, chicken and orzo soup that is a welcoming, comforting dinner.
Wilderness Soup
A hearty soup with smoked sausage, beans, tomatoes and potatoes.
What’s The Dill Soup
Instant Pot or Crockpot bacon and potato soup with lots of dill pickle flavor.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Hibernation Soup (Instant Pot or Crockpot Recipe)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
Instant Pot or Crockpot chicken, vegetable and lentil soup that is cozy and packed with flavor. A perfect meal for a chilly fall evening.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 ribs celery, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 cups water
- 2 Tbsp Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup brown lentils
- 20 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1 tsp dried rosemary leaves
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onions and celery and saute for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the water and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking.
- Add in the bouillon, carrots, tomatoes, lentils, chicken, bell pepper, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the SOUP button to 10 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Discard the bay leaf. Remove the chicken cut into pieces or shred and return to the pot.
- Stir and ladle into bowls and serve.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onions and celery and saute for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add in the water, bouillon, carrots, tomatoes, lentils, chicken, bell pepper, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Discard the bay leaf. Remove the chicken cut into pieces or shred and return to the pot.
- Stir and ladle into bowls and serve.
- Category: Soup
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Oooohhh! This looks so yummy! Am going to make it with left-over Christmas ham! Can’t wait! Be back with stars.
Hi Karen,
Will already made broth work just as well?
yes that will be fine!
I don’t like Better Than Boullion Beef flavoring. what can I use instead?
is there another brand you like? I would use that.
Your entree’s look so good. I can’t decide what to make first.
Thanks Karen! I hope you find lots of good dinner recipes here 🙂