Salsa Verde Chicken Soup (Keto + Whole30)
Published Sep 19, 2021 Updated Sep 10, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Salsa Verde Chicken Soup is Mexican-Inspired and so easy to make with simple ingredients. Throw it in the crockpot, instant pot, or stovetop. Perfect cozy meal the whole family will love. Low Carb, Paleo, Whole30, and Dairy-Free.
Salsa Verde Chicken Soup
In my opinion, family meals taste better when they require minimal ingredients and are easy to make. My Salsa Verde Chicken Soup is absolutely incredible and will warm your soul. This is a perfect weekend or weeknight meal. This soup can be thrown in the crockpot in the morning before you leave and ready when you walk through the door in the afternoon. Simple just tastes better!
Cooking Methods For This Salsa Verde Chicken Soup
There are many different ways to cook this soup. It really depends on your time. Below are all the ways you can make:
- Crockpot: If you are running out the door in the morning and want dinner to be ready when you get home, the crockpot method is the way to go. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Instant Pot: Are you home after a long day and want to make something quick? If so, go with the instant pot method. It can be ready in under 20 minutes.
- Stovetop: This is my favorite method to use on the weekend. I can cook my chicken on the stovetop in a large pot then add everything in and let it simmer throughout the afternoon. It makes my house smell amazing.
What You Will Need
- Chicken breasts
- Garlic cloves
- Dairy-free cream cheese
- Chicken broth
- Onions
- Green chiles
- Salsa verde
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Salt/pepper
- Lime juice
- Lime zest
Storage & Meal Prep:
- Storage: In the refrigerator, your stock, soup or stew will keep for three to four days. For quick and easy reheating, store single-serving portions in individual containers. For family-sized meals, store the soup in larger, resealable containers, and make sure to heat and chill the soup properly when serving and re-storing.
- Meal Prep: If you are using this for meal prep, store the same way from above, but add the garnish in a different container. After you heat up your soup, add the garnish from the other container to the top.
Want More Healthy Soup Recipes?
Salsa Verde Chicken Soup (Keto + Whole30)
Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 4.5 oz can green chiles
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 16 oz jar salsa verde I use Herdez
- 1/2 yellow onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 4-8 oz dairy-free cream cheese optional*
Garnish
- lime juice
- avocado slices
- jalapeno slices
- cilantro
Instructions
Crockpot:
- Add everything except the cream cheese into a 6qt Crockpot. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken, shred it and then return to the Crockpot. 20 minutes before serving, add in the cream cheese. Cook until the cream cheese is melted and mixed in well.
- Serve immediately with sliced avocado, cilantro, and jalapeno slices. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Stovetop:
- Cook your chicken as desired and shred. In a large pot or dutch oven over medium/high heat add the ghee. Once the ghee is hot, add the onion and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir often.
- Bring the saucepan down to low heat. Pour in chicken broth, green chiles, salsa verde, lime juice/zest, spices. Add in shredded chicken and stir. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes for optimal flavor.
- 20 minutes before serving, add in the coconut milk and cream cheese. Cook until the cream cheese is melted and mixed in well.
- Serve immediately with sliced avocado, cilantro, and jalapeno slices. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Instant Pot:
- Press the saute function on the Instant Pot, and once hot, add the ghee. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir often. Press cancel to turn off the saute feature. Add the chicken breasts (whole), green chiles, salsa verde, chicken broth, lime juice/zest, and spices to the pot. Secure the lid, turn to seal, and set the pot to high-pressure cook for 5 minutes.
- Carefully quick release the pressure. Open the lid and shred the chicken using 2 forks or tongs. It will shred easily.
- Add in the dairy-free cream cheese and lime juice and stir until melted and incorporated into the soup. Turn the saute function back on if the cream cheese is not melting well.
- Serve immediately with sliced avocado, cilantro, and jalapeno slices. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
- 7 NET carbs per serving
- Dairy-free cream cheese is optional but gives the soup a yummy creamy texture and flavor. I use the Kite Hill brand for Whole30 compliant.
- I love buying my garlic in the freezer section at the grocery store. They come minced and frozen in cubes. Super simple and easy to use.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this recipe maybe a year ago for the first time, and it quickly became a staple in our house! It’s one of the few soups I enjoy in the summer as well as when it’s cold. It’s one of my 10 year olds most requested meals. I’m just careful about salting, some salsas I’ve bought are saltier than others and don’t need as much additional salt. Just depends on the brand.
Thank you for taking the time to share this! I’m so happy you love it!
I needed to use up salsa verde that I had processed a couple years before. I made this in the crockpot and used full fat cream cheese. It was amazing and Full of flavour.
So happy to hear! Thank you!