Whole30 Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-Less Soup (Paleo)
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This Whole30 Instant Pot chicken tortilla-less soup is full of flavor and so easy to make! Super quick and filling, this Mexican soup is creamy, spicy, and low carb.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- It’s crazy easy – throw (almost) everything in the Instant Pot, cook for about 18 minutes, dice your chicken, then add the remaining ingredients. You’ll have a complete meal on the table in no time, and with very little effort!
- It’s creamy, filling, and spicy, making it a great one-dish meal and perfect for cold weather. You can even meal prep this Mexican soup ahead of a busy week! I love having access to this delicious soup for a quick lunch.
- It’s also low carb and keto-friendly, with only 8 grams of net carbs per serving! This Whole30 Instant Pot chicken tortilla-less soup fits a variety of diets. It’s just about as healthy as a soup can get!
Key Ingredients
Chipotle Pepper Powder – I have unfortunately yet to find Whole30 compliant chipotle peppers. Therefore, we use chipotle pepper powder to give this soup a hint of that signature flavor. However, if you’re not on a Whole30, you can simply replace the powder with 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, plus 2 teaspoons of the adobo sauce. Also, feel free to include as much or as little chipotle as you’d like based on your spice preference.
Full-Fat Coconut Milk – The coconut milk gives this Whole30 Instant Pot chicken tortilla-less soup an irresistibly creamy texture and flavor! If you’re not a fan of coconut, don’t worry, the flavor barely shines through in this tasty recipe. Also, be sure to use a full-fat coconut milk for that thick, velvety texture!
Chef’s Tips
- If not on a Whole30, feel free to add some shredded cheese in there if you’d like! You can also enjoy this with a side of tortilla chips for a tasty crunch.
- Get creative with this recipe and make it your own! Stir in some spinach, kale, or chard for extra greens. You can even replace the chicken with about a pound of browned and drained ground beef!
- If you have a coconut allergy, replace the coconut milk with cashew cream. To do this, blend 1 cup of raw cashews with 3/4 cup water in a high-speed blender until smooth. This coconut-free option is also Whole30 compliant!
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Mexican Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Instant Pot, Whole30, Paleo)
- Whole30 Breakfast Tacos
- Healthy Zuppa Toscana (Whole30, Paleo, Dairy Free)
- Paleo Lime Bars (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
- Instant Pot Bone Broth That Gels (Whole30 Bone Broth)
- 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Whole30 White Chicken Chili
- Healthy Chicken Tostadas
- Whole30 Tzatziki (Paleo, Keto, Dairy Free)
- Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole with Eggs and Sausage (Whole30, Dairy Free, Gluten Free)
- Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas
- Whole30 Gyro Meatballs
Whole30 Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-Less Soup
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1 ½ pounds
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 10-ounce cans tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 14.5-ounce can chicken broth Whole30-compliant
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1-3 teaspoons chipotle pepper powder 1 teaspoon for mild, 3 teaspoons for hot
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 zucchinis chopped or cut into ½-inch half moons
- 1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream whisked until smooth
For the Garnish
- fresh avocado slices
- red onions sliced thin
- fresh cilantro chopped
- coconut cream
- lime juice
- shredded cheese if not paleo or on Whole30
- tortilla strips if not paleo or on Whole30
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Instructions
- Sprinkle boneless skinless chicken breasts with salt. Add the chicken breasts to the Instant Pot. Add the remaining ingredients in order, through zucchini.
- Secure the lid on the pot. Cook at high pressure for 18 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for ten minutes, then use the manual release. Pull out the chicken breasts and add coconut milk. Switch Instant Pot to Sauté mode and stir to combine.
- Dice or shred chicken, then return it to the soup. Serve hot, topped with garnishes of choice.
Notes
- Slow Cooker Method: If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can make this Whole30 chicken tortilla-less soup in the slow cooker. Add all ingredients, except coconut milk, in order listed. Cook on low heat for 7 hours or on high heat for 4 hours. Remove chicken breasts and dice. Stir in coconut milk, then return chicken to slow cooker. Serve with garnishes.
Video
Nutrition Information
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Jenna says
This is my go-to soup! Very balanced and delicious. The coconut milk is perfect for thickening the soup without making it very heavy.
Bobbie says
This recipe is Delicious, we love it and I will definitely make it again. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe?❤️
Samantha Cinque says
This recipe is SO GOOD!!! Iand super easy! I just got an instant pot and was looking for something paleo to make in it. this is so creamy and delicious. Its about 115 degrees in AZ but I cant wait to eat this every day LOL. thanks so much for sharing!
Cheryl Malik says
Thank you!!!
Layne Drew says
I bought all of the ingredients to make this soup this weekend and I can’t wait!! My house is OBSESSED with tortilla soup—we try it anywhere we go if it’s on the menu, so to find a lightened up version is awesome!
I am confused on the chipotle pepper part (I’ve never cooked with them before). Do you put to whole peppers into the soup? Or do you dice them up or anything first? Thanks!!
Cristin says
I only have 1lb of chicken. Do I need to adjust the cooking time? Would sweet potatoes work added to the soup? Thanks!
Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says
You could try for 15 minute instead! Sweet potatoes would be fantastic!
Monica McDaniels says
Absolutely fantastic. The best Tortilla Soup I’ve ever had….whole 30 or otherwise. I doubled the recipie, and cooked in the Instapot for 19 minutes. It was luxurious with heaps of cilantro, avocado, and a couple cassava lime tortilla chips. I didn’t have chicken broth on hand, so reconstituted some beef flavor organic “better than bullion” (not 100% whole 30 approved, I suppose), but it did the trick. Highly recommended! Cant wait to try more if your recipes. If they are half as tasty as this, I will be pleased.
Cheryl Malik says
Oh man. Your tweaks sound amazing!!
Amanda says
Olo’s Chipotle Paste is whole 30 compliant. Ingredients: Chipotle Peppers, Water, Salt and Citric Acid
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0097UW3EK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bEGWCb97V4BJS
Great recipe!
Andrea says
Silly question: is the salt in the recipe to season the soup, or the chicken breasts?
Cheryl Malik says
Both 🙂
Leasa V says
I don’t have an instant pot, could I use a Dutch oven or crock pot?
Cheryl Malik says
Sure, the cooking times will vary, though.
Sande says
Only the second time using my Instant Pot- first was to bake sweet potatoes. I’m loving it and this recipe was amazing!!! I didn’t miss chips or cheese.