Instant Pot Chicken and Mixed Bean Stew
A rich pressure-cooked stew packed with boneless skinless chicken thighs, butter beans, chickpeas, and tender root vegetables. Made in batch for six high-protein, fiber-rich lunch portions.
Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Total
40 min
Makes
6 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Lu + Lila
Lu created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Total
40 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Basic kitchen utensils
Time saver
Store individual portions in sealed glass containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 12 steps complete
Next: Press the Sauté function on your Instant…
- 01
Press the Sauté function on your Instant…
Press the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and set it to medium heat.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add the olive oil to the inner…
Add the olive oil to the inner pot and let it shimmer for 1 minute.
Allow: 1 minute
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add the diced yellow onion
Add the diced yellow onion, chopped carrot, and chopped celery. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the onions become translucent and soft.
Look for: the onions become translucent and soft
Tap card to mark done - 04
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato…
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant and deep red.
Look for: fragrant and deep red
Tap card to mark done - 05
Press Cancel to stop the Sauté function
Press Cancel to stop the Sauté function.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze…
Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the bottom of the pot, using your spoon to scrape up any browned bits so the burn warning is not triggered.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Place the whole chicken thighs
Place the whole chicken thighs, drained butter beans, and drained chickpeas into the pot, stirring gently to submerge.
Tap card to mark done - 08
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set…
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the steam release valve to the Sealing position.
Tap card to mark done - 09
Select Pressure Cook on High for 12…
Select Pressure Cook on High for 12 minutes.
Allow: 12 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 10
Allow the pressure to naturally release for…
When the cooking timer finishes, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to Quick Release for remaining steam.
Allow: 10 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 11
Remove the chicken thighs to a cutting…
Remove the chicken thighs to a cutting board, shred using two forks into bite-sized pieces, and return the meat to the stew.
Tap card to mark done - 12
Stir well and let sit uncovered for…
Stir well and let sit uncovered for 5 minutes so the stew thickens slightly before serving or portioning into storage containers.
Allow: 5 minutes
Tap card to mark done
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