This easy 30 minute Whole30 chicken soup is every bit as healing as it is simple. There’s nothing like a cozy, hearty and healthy chicken soup. This paleo chicken soup is made without the junk but with all the flavor. With instant pot instructions, and stovetop directions, this will definitely be a fall favorite for your family!
This Whole30 chicken soup is sponsored by Vital Proteins. I’m happy to work with a company I love, use and believe in so much! Thanks for your support here on the blog and your support for Vital Proteins!
When the temperature dipped below 60 degrees the other day, I only had one thought. Soup season! I eat soup year round, but when it starts to get cooler and summer is winding down, my soup consumption ramps up considerably. I’ve had lots of requests for a simple get hearty chicken soup so it’s high time I share my easy go-to Whole30 chicken soup!
Easy Ingredient Magic
This soup is so thick and hearty it’s almost a chicken stew, which is fine by me! I almost always use chicken thighs in my chicken soups because they’re much more juicy than breasts which can be kind of bland. The thighs add a ton of flavor, so make sure you dump the juices from the chicken back into the pot of soup too!
The other ingredients are simple, common ingredients that don’t require anything crazy. The spices for this soup are all going to be things most of us have in our cupboards, and the vegetables I add to my chicken soup are the basics. That being said, even if the ingredients look simplistic, that doesn’t mean that they don’t come together to make a rich and filling soup.
Let’s Talk Bone Broth
For over a year now I’ve been using Vital Proteins Bone Broth Collagen for my chicken and beef broths. Not only is it Whole30 Approved with the ingredients only being chicken bone broth powder, but it’s super easy to use. You just mix the powder with warm water and have your broth! Whole30 broth can be tricky to find in cartons. By keeping Vital Proteins on hand I know I always have broth when I need it.
I also really love the added health benefits from collagen. Collagen is something I use every single day and have seen incredible results from. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, but as we age, we stop producing less of it. It’s essential for healthy joints, muscle recovery, skin, hair and nails, among about 100 other things.
There really isn’t an organ system that collagen isn’t an important part of. This bone broth serves a double purpose then by being convenient, and giving me another way to get collagen into my diet and that of my family! Even my grandma now uses it and says she’s not taking as many pain meds for her arthritis anymore after a few months.
For more in depth details on what collagen is check out this post all about the uses and benefits of collagen!
This soup is really easy to make, and I’ve of course included instant pot chicken soup directions too! The easiest way to make this Whole30 chicken soup in the instant pot is to just put it on “soup” mode, although you could also put it on high manual pressure and get it done in about half the time! I’d start with 15 minutes and if the potatoes aren’t tender enough, add another 5!
Click HERE to get my favorite Whole30 Approved Chicken Bone Broth Collagen!
Other Whole Kitchen Sink recipes using chicken broth:
Whole30 Cashew Chicken Skillet
Whole30 Mexican Albondigas “Meatball” Soup
Creamy Sausage and Potato Whole30 Casserole
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork and Pineapple Coleslaw
Recipe Video
30 Minute Whole30 Chicken Soup: Stovetop & Instant Pot Directions
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Soup
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced into 1” pieces
- 2 cups carrots, diced in 1/2 inch chunks (about 3 long carrots)
- 2 lbs red potatoes, quartered
- 1 white onion, halved, and then cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 5 ribs celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 and 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large stock pot. While oil is heating, season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken to the stock pot and cook on high heat for for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown on all sides. Remove and set aside on a plate
- Add onion, celery, carrot and minced garlic to the stock pot. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until onion starts to become translucent, stirring often and scraping the bottom to loosen the browned bits
- Mix flour with 1 cup of the broth until dissolved, and add to the stock pot
- Add chicken, chicken broth, potatoes and all spices. Stir to combine and add more salt and pepper to taste
- Bring to a simmer and cover. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 30 minutes
- Once potatoes and carrots are soft, discard bay leaves, remove from heat and add additional fresh or dried parsley to taste
Notes
Instant pot instructions: Set instant pot to saute mode and heat oil. While oil is heating season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the Instant Pot and brown for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally and then remove from the instant pot. Add onion, celery, carrot and minced garlic to the instant pot and cook for 4-5 minutes until onion becomes translucent, stirring often and scraping the browned bits from the bottom. Mix arrowroot flour with 1 cup of the broth until dissolved, and add to the instant pot. Add chicken back in, along with chicken broth, potatoes and all spices. Stir to combine and add more salt and pepper to taste. Set the instant pot to “soup” mode, close the lid and set to sealing. Once done, do a quick release and serve!
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 362
- Sugar: 5
- Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Protein: 27
Click Image to Pin to Pinterest!
This Whole30 chicken soup recipe may contain some links that are affiliate links, though products are ones I use personally and recommend. When you purchase anything using my links, it costs you absolutely nothing extra, but it does give wholekitchensink.com a little financial support which helps to keep this blog running. Thank you for your continued support, both with your dollars and your interest.
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Britta says
How long should we set the ‘Soup’ function for on the instant pot recipe?
paleobailey says
Hello! The soup function on the instant pot is 30 minutes. It automatically sets to that when you press the soup button. If you were to change the time after pressing soup, the instant pot goes back into manual function.
Katie says
Dumb question, but why can’t the chicken be put in raw in the IP? Wouldn’t it thoroughly cook with the potatoes?
paleobailey says
You can! It’s just to sear the chicken first. Searing it adds a depth of flavor from the browned bits, and also helps keep the chicken in pieces and prevents it from shredding if it’s pressure cooked without that step. Either is totally fine though!!
Nicole says
This is my family’s favorite recipe!! And, I think you are amazing and very inspirational. Thank you for opening up about your journey and sharing with us all!
paleobailey says
I’m so, so glad you all love it! And thank you so much for that kind comment – it means a lot to me! <3 - B
Crystal says
Hi! I love your recipes. Quick question, in the insta pot instructions it says add water and broth, but I didn’t see any water measurements in the ingredients list. Could you tell me how much water you are supposed to add? Thank you.
paleobailey says
Oops I’m sorry! The recipe was tweaked a while back and I removed the water, but forgot to remove it from the IP instructions – so you don’t need it! Thanks for calling that to my attention, I’ll get it fixed there! <3 - B
Lacey says
This was amazing! The spices make the flavor perfect! Thank you!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
Charity says
This soup is excellent! Hit the spot after my second Covid vaccine. Thank you so much!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad to hear this!! Thank you so much!
Dawn Moyer says
This is a staple recipe in our house, on or off whole 30 round. It is delicious, comforting and filling. My teenagers love it too. I make this for meals to take to friends or loved ones that are sick, just had a new baby or just need a helping hand. I make the recipe as written. Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you all enjoy it! Thank you so much, Dawn!
Allison says
First, this soup is amazing and has become one of my husband’s favorites! I’m hoping to make a batch and freeze. Do you think it would freeze ok?
paleobailey says
I think it would be!
Taylor says
This recipe was absolutely delicious, made this on a snowy winter day and it was the perfect warm, comforting and tasty soup. Highly recommend!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for giving it a try and taking the time to come back and leave a review! It’s so appreciated! <3 – B
Susan says
This was absolutely delicious !!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much!
Kamae Luscombe says
Perfect! Thank you!
I top it with a squeeze of lemon and throw in some plantain chips! All the ratios were perfect!
paleobailey says
Oh that sounds so good!! I’m so glad you enjoyed!
Amy Foxhall says
Like everyone else said – delicious! So simple. So good!!
AC says
OMG love this. Easily adaptable and can swap out veggies. Spices are right on! For sure will add to list for cold snowy days. Thanks!
Emily says
I’ve made this recipe 4 or 5 times now after looking for a Whole30 alternative to chicken noodle soup, this is amazing and now a go to recipe in our home! Thank you for posting!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much!!
Veronica says
I can’t thank you enough for this recipe! It’s my go-to chicken soup especially on those chilly days!! I make more so that it can last me for days!! It’s absolutely DELICIOUS!!
paleobailey says
I’m so, so happy to hear this!! I’m so glad you love it! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a review – it’s so appreciated!!
Jillian says
Wow this soup is INCREDIBLE! Exactly the full of flavor homemade taste I was craving. Perfect!!
Cheryl says
So thrilled to see instant pot recipes!!! Will definitely look for more of your instant pot recipes!!! Looks delicious. I would like to add some greens maybe spinach or kale. How would I add that in?
paleobailey says
Hi Cheryl, sorry for the late response here. I’d likely just stir it in right at the end. The heat will let it wilt but not overcook.
Barbara G Quickel says
Made this easy chicken soup with a few adjustments but it is really amazing. I used two large cans of chunk chicken breasts and russet potatoes since that’s what I had on hand. This was so good and will definitely make again.
paleobailey says
So happy to hear this! Thank you so much, Barbara!
Becca says
This soup is so delicious! I used Imagine brand free range organic low sodium chicken broth and probably about 1/2 lb less potatoes to make sure it was a soup and not a stew. You’ve truly outdone yourself with this recipe! So yum! Thank you for sharing! ?
paleobailey says
Ahhh this is SO great to hear! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave your review/feedback! It’s so appreciated! <3 - B
Lauren says
Is there a substitute for the arrowroot flour?
paleobailey says
You could use tapioca flour, or whatever you like to use as a thickener (or normal flour replacement), or, you could just omit!