Name: Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Farro
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 32 min
Total time: 52 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 tsp olive oil; 1 onion (chopped); 3 carrots (cut into thin half-circles); 2 large celery stalks (diced); 4 garlic cloves (minced); 1 ½ tsp dried thyme; 1 ½ tsp dried oregano; 3 tbsp tomato paste; 5 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth; 1 ½ lb. boneless (skinless chicken breasts); 1 cup dry farro; ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp ground pepper; ¼ cup minced flat leaf parsley; Salt and pepper (to taste)

Dig into this Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Farro for a dose of whole grains and lean protein. Stovetop instructions included. 336 calories and 4 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

Instant Pot Chicken Stew with Farro is the ultimate healthy comfort food, rich with lean protein and whole grains. And if you don’t have an electric pressure cooker, such as the Instant Pot, stovetop instructions are also included. If you do have one, you’ll be amazed at how easily this healthy stew recipe comes together.

While boneless, skinless chicken breasts have the reputation of being dry and flavorless, cooking them in the Instant Pot in an herb-flavored broth produces meat that is so tender that it practically falls apart into shreddable morsels.

(If you’re looking for additional healthy Instant Pot recipes, check out these recipes.)

If you’re not familiar with farro, it is an ancient whole grain that originally hails from Italy. Incorporate it into soups, salads and stews, or swap it for brown rice in side dishes. It has a nutty taste and a wonderful chewy texture, and can be cooked in about 30 minutes (quicker in a pressure cooker). Some of my favorite recipes using farro are this hearty soup and this pretty whole grain salad. It can be found in many grocery stores or on Amazon (affiliate link). I typically buy the Bob’s Red Mill version.

How to make Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Saute the onion, carrots and celery in the Instant Pot (I use this one – affiliate link), using the Saute mode, until starting to soften. Next stir in the garlic, herbs and tomato paste. Pour in the chicken broth, then rest the chicken breasts and farro on top. Cook at HIGH pressure for 12 minutes (the Instant Pot will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure). Once the pressure is released, shred the chicken breasts, stir in the parsley, and season to taste. Easy and delicious!

How to make healthy chicken stew on the stovetop

The difference in this method is that the chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces and cooked in the saucepan, then set aside until the end. Saute the veggies and tomato paste, then stir in the chicken broth and farro. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the farro until tender. Stir in the chicken, reheat, add the parsley, then serve.

Other Healthy Instant Pot Recipes:

Vegan Instant Pot Mushroom Soup
Instant Pot Lentil Soup with Sweet Potato
Instant Pot Vegetarian Chili

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I’ll be sure to find it.