This Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Chowder is so creamy but still light, and it’s Whole30, keto/low-carb, GAPS, paleo, gut-healthy, and FULL of fiber-rich veggies. Get this hearty and nourishing Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Chowder on the table in under 30 minutes!

Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Chowder is my idea of the perfect warm weather or cold weather soup!

All that fresh lime and cilantro brightens it up and makes me feel like I should be eating at a beachside resort instead of fighting back tears because we got six inches of snow in mid-April! (Which actually happened. And, I actually tested this recipe during that blizzard…) 🙂

I love that I can take raw chicken, a really ugly root vegetable, and nourishing bone broth (along with a few other delish ingredients) and concoct a creamy but light chowder that’s Whole30, keto/low-carb, paleo, gut-healthy, and FULL of fiber-rich veggies!

Plus, this soup makes A LOT. Like 10 servings.

For my family of four, that means 2 full meals PLUS leftovers for packing in lunches or reheating for my own lunch!

What?? A Keto Chowder?

Chowders are usually made with potatoes… And, there’s nothing wrong with potatoes, except…

• They’re out if you’re low-carb/keto.
• No potatoes if you’re working on healing your gut because they’re too starchy.
• Potatoes are nightshades, which many people are highly sensitive to.

What’s a chowder without potatoes?!

Well, actually, it’s still a chowder!

Because… celeriac!

Or celery root, as it’s also called.

This is the ugliest vegetable you’ll ever find. It’s brown and dirty with gnarled roots. But it’s the BEST potato substitute, especially in soups!

(I also use celeriac as the potato stand-in in my Instant Pot Clam Chowder.) Celeriac is WAY lower in carbs than potatoes, so it’s the perfect substitute for starchy potatoes in chowders!

Chowders are also typically made with copious amounts of heavy cream. I have nothing against heavy cream, but for those of you who are dairy-free, heavy cream poses a problem.

So, to cut the dairy in this dairy-free green chile chicken chowder, I used another of my favorite veggies — cauliflower!

A quick cauliflower “cream” gets stirred into the finished chowder, thickening it to perfection and adding even more valuable plant fiber to this meal.

And yes, this chowder definitely stands on its own… especially if you load up on the toppings!

You Want All The Toppings!

My favorite thing to do is to make a giant pot of this chowder and then lay out a spread of various toppings so everyone can mix and match their own toppings and create custom bowls of yumminess!

Here are our favorite toppings. Adjust these for your dietary needs and pile ’em on your nourishing chowder!

• grated raw cheddar
• cultured sour cream
• wedges of lime
• cilantro
• slices or cubes of avocado
• guacamole
• pico de gallo
• diced red onion
• extra salsa verde

And now, see how easy it is to make a nourishing, homemade green chile chicken chowder… in your Instant Pot!

5 from 3 votes

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Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Chowder

This Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Chowder is so creamy but still light, and it's Whole30, keto/low-carb, paleo, gut-healthy, and FULL of fiber-rich veggies. Get this hearty and nourishing all-weather soup on the table in under 30 minutes!

CourseMain Dish, Soup

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes

Total Time 28 minutes

Servings 10 servings

Author Lindsey Dietz

Ingredients

Cauliflower "Cream":

• 2poundsfrozen cauliflower florets
• 1cupbone broth

Green Chili Chicken Chowder:

• 3tablespoonsnourishing fat of choicelard, tallow, butter, ghee, coconut oil, etc.
• 7cupspeeled and diced celeriac - 1/4" cubescelery root
• 3cupsdiced onion
• 2-1/2poundsorganic/pasturedboneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3cupsbone broth
• 1tablespoonsalt
• 1tablespoonground cumin
• 2teaspoonsgarlic powder
• 1-1/2teaspoonsdried oregano
• 1teaspoonchipotle powder
• 1/2teaspoonwhite pepper
• 1cupsugar-free salsa verdehomemade or jarred, just read ingredients
• 26oz. cans diced green chiles
• 2limeszest and juice
• 1/2cupfinely chopped cilantro

Instructions

For The Cauliflower "Cream":

1. Add the frozen cauliflower and broth to the stainless insert of your Instant Pot. Place the lid on the pot, seal the vent, and press the "Manual" button. Adjust the time to 2 minutes on high pressure.
2. When the pot beeps, immediately release the pressure.
3. Open the Instant Pot and carefully transfer the all of the cooked cauliflower and broth to a blender. Then, blend on high speed until smooth.
4. Set aside.

For The Chowder:

1. Now, don't even wash the Instant Pot! Press the "Saute" button and add 3 tablespoons fat of choice to the stainless insert pot.
2. Then add the diced celery root, onion, and all seasonings. Stir to combine.
3. Saute for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Next, add the chicken thighs — don't cut them up; add them whole — and the remaining 3 cups bone broth.
5. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, seal the vent, and press "Keep Warm/Cancel". Next press the "Manual" button and adjust the time to 13 minutes on high pressure.
6. When the pot beeps, immediately release the pressure.
7. Using tongs, carefully remove the chicken thighs and shred with 2 forks (or use your stand mixer).
8. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot, along with the Cauliflower "Cream", salsa verde, green chiles, lime juice, lime zest, and chopped cilantro.
9. Stir everything together, taste, adjust seasonings if necessary.
10. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Topping Suggestions:

• fresh lime wedges
• chopped cilantro
• grated raw cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• sliced or cubed avocado
• cultured sour cream
• a sprinkle of chipotle powder
• crushed blue corn chips
• crushed cassava flour chips 
• pico de gallo, salsa, or salsa verde
• guac
• chopped black olives

Our Most Popular Instant Pot Recipes & Posts

Need more no-fail Instant Pot recipes? How about the best Instant Pot information, troubleshooting, and tips? Here are the most popular Instant Pot recipes and posts here at All The Nourishing Things!

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Do you love a good chowder, even without potatoes and cream? Will you give this Instant Pot recipe a try?