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By Katja Heino 4 Comments
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Instant Pot Chicken and Cabbage Soup (gluten free, keto, + Whole30)

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hands holding white bowl

A nutritious, low carb Chicken and Cabbage Soup loaded with flavor. So easy to make. Stove top option included.

Soup season continues. And I’m back with a super simple Instant Pot soup recipe to share with you.

Y’all know I’m always trying to get more vegetables into my diet, especially low carb cruciferous vegetables. Soup is my favorite kitchen hack for doing so.

This delicious, Asian-inspired soup is a kitchen staple around here. Cabbage, cauliflower, and juicy chicken in a salty broth seasoned with lime, onion, ginger, and garlic.

It’s hearty and filling. It’s easy to make. It’s one of those recipes that you’ll want to make again and again.

close up of soup in white bowl

Why cruciferous vegetables?

While I love almost all vegetables (except eggplant. sorry, eggplant), I have to say that cruciferous vegetables are by far my favorite. Cruciferous vegetables include things like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, kale, Bok Choy, Brussels sprouts, arugula, and radishes. These type of veggies tend to be high in vitamins A, C, and K as well as minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, and selenium. Many are also high in folate (vitamin B-9), vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-2. They’re rich in fiber and antioxidants and have been shown to reduce inflammation. Need I say more?

How to Make Chicken and Cabbage Soup in the Instant Pot

chicken in instant pot

Sear seasoned chicken thighs on SAUTE mode for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from IP.

onions in instant pot

Saute onion until translucent. Then add garlic and ginger, and cook for one minute, until fragrant.

broth in instant pot

Add broth and scrape bottom of pot to loosen up all the yummy bits of flavor.

vegetables in instant pot

Add chicken back into Instant Pot along with cabbage and cauliflower. Lock lid and cook on HIGH for 8 minutes. Then quick release.

 instant pot full of soup

Add coconut aminos (or GF tamari), toasted sesame oil, and lime juice for flavor. And salt and pepper, to taste.

instant pot full of soup

Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.

Can I make it on the stove top?

Yes. No problem. Instead of using an IP for the recipe, simply use a large soup pot. Instead of cooking the soup on HIGH for 8 minutes, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until chicken is tender and veggies are soft. So easy.

white bowl full of soup
hands holding white bowl with soup

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Instant Pot Chicken and Cabbage Soup (gluten free, low carb, + Whole30)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Katja Heino
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes (plus time to for IP to come to pressure)
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
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Description

A nutritious, low carb soup loaded with flavor.  Cabbage, cauliflower, and juicy chicken in a salty broth seasoned with lime, onion, ginger, and garlic. So easy to make. Stove top option included.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/8 tsp paprika
  • 1 and 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp butter, ghee, or coconut oil – divided
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1–2 inch piece of fresh ginger, grated
  • 6 cups good quality broth  (vegetable, homemade bone broth or Kettle and Fire)
  • 1/2 large cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 3 cups cauliflower florets
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos OR gluten free tamari (like THIS or THIS)
  • 1–2 tsp toasted sesame oil (like this)
  •  juice from one lime
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh herbs for garnish (I used cilantro and scallions)


Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together salt, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika.  Sprinkle mixture on both sides of chicken thighs.
  2. Turn IP onto SAUTE and melt fat of choice.  Once insert is HOT, sear chicken thighs for 3 minutes on each side and then remove from pot. 
  3. Add in remaining tablespoon of fat and onions. Saute until translucent, about 4 minutes.  Add in garlic and ginger and saute another minute, until fragrant. 
  4. Pour in broth, making sure to scrape the bottom of pan with wooden spoon to loosen all the tasty bits.  Add in cabbage, cauliflower, and chicken thighs.  Lock lid on IP and turn the vent valve to “sealing.” Cook on HIGH pressure for 8 minutes then quick release the pressure. 
  5. Add coconut aminos/tamari, sesame oil, lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste.  Taste and adjust for flavors. At this point, you can remove chicken thighs and shred with 2 forks or leave in bigger pieces.  
  6. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving. 

Notes

FOR STOVE TOP METHOD:  Follow the exact steps above except use a heavy bottom large soup pot and simmer, covered on low-medium for about 20-25 minutes. 

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

 soup in white bowl

Love soup?

Check out these easy soup recipes.

Instant Pot Turmeric Ginger Chicken Soup

30 Minute Creamy Lemon Chicken Soup

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Lentil Soup

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Filed Under: Soups, Whole30 Recipes Tagged With: chicken and cabbage soup. keto, chicken soup, instant pot, instant pot recipes, low carb, Paleo, soup

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan-lee Mckenzie says

    November 1, 2021 at 3:58 am

    OMG yum,yum,yum,all the way,???

    Reply
  2. Kelly says

    November 6, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    Just made this for the first time tonight, exactly as the recipe states. So good!! The flavors in the broth are unique. This will be on my regular rotation for winter meals. Thank you Katja – your soup recipes are amazing!

    Reply
    • Katja Heino says

      November 9, 2021 at 7:07 am

      So happy you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Mandy says

    November 3, 2022 at 11:45 am

    This turned out so delicious! I didn’t have fresh garlic or ginger on hand so I subbed powdered. I also added a bit of fish sauce. The whole family loved it.

    I also cooked up some egg noodles to pour the soup over for the people who wanted some more carbs in their meal,

    Reply

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  • 💪fitness is one of the biggest mood boosters in my life—not because it solves everything, but because it consistently gives me space to come back to myself 💪

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  • 🥦🥒🥬 growing your own food is a powerful way to support your health • you get fresh food + sunshine, fresh air and movement when you work in your garden • you don’t need a HUGE homestead • you can grow in containers on your apartment patio • you can create raised beds in your front yard • you can create an urban garden in the middle of a city 

🥦🥬🥒 we are blessed with a bit of land in western NC (about an acre) • 8 garden beds provide space to grow lots of things • i concentrate on building healthy soil • no pesticides or chemical • we also have berries and fruit trees planted around the yard 

🥦🥒🥬 there’s a deep satisfaction that comes from working the soil, tending the plants, harvesting the vegetables, and eating what we grow • it connects me to SOURCE/GOD 💗 and reminds me to stay in rhythm with NATURE • grateful 🙏
  • 💪 training for life • in a world full of distractions and drama, i’m focusing on what’s important to me • i want to be strong, to feel alive, and to be capable • so i can show up for myself, my family, and my community • when you turn inward and take charge of your own life and your own health, you realize that freedom, real health, and longevity are possible 💗• hope you have an amazing big day
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✨ 5 years ago, i completely uprooted my life because i felt a call for something different • i don’t have a single regret there is so much peace and power in intentionally creating a life aligned with your values and heart’s desire but it takes radical ownership of EVERY aspect of your life
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💪fitness is one of the biggest mood boosters in my life—not because it solves everything, but because it consistently gives me space to come back to myself 💪 💪sometimes the workout is the least important part • the real gift is becoming the kind of woman who keeps choosing herself, over and over again 💪
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
✨this season has changed me in ways i never expected—and honestly, i think it’s making me a better woman • softer, slower, stronger, and more trusting ✨✨
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
☀️sunlight sets the tone for my day and for my hormones • i’m 52• moving towards menopause • not doing complicated protocols, hormones or peptides • finding my way through slowing down, getting strong , simplifying, and being intentional with what ACTUALLY supports my body • every woman has a different journey • and i’m figuring out mine 💗
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💗 some things are out of our control • AND we have more agency over what happens to us than we think • a beautiful life is built in the habits we repeat 💗
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
• anyone else feel tired of all the noise? • trying to find my place here again • as i navigate big changes in my own life seasons • what actually makes a beautiful life ? 🌈✨
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
• becoming intentional about every aspect of my life has brought so much peace, contentment, and joy into my life • as i get older, i crave a slower, more deliberate pace to life • feeling grateful • 🙏
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🥦🥒🥬 growing your own food is a powerful way to support your health • you get fresh food + sunshine, fresh air and movement when you work in your garden • you don’t need a HUGE homestead • you can grow in containers on your apartment patio • you can create raised beds in your front yard • you can create an urban garden in the middle of a city 🥦🥬🥒 we are blessed with a bit of land in western NC (about an acre) • 8 garden beds provide space to grow lots of things • i concentrate on building healthy soil • no pesticides or chemical • we also have berries and fruit trees planted around the yard 🥦🥒🥬 there’s a deep satisfaction that comes from working the soil, tending the plants, harvesting the vegetables, and eating what we grow • it connects me to SOURCE/GOD 💗 and reminds me to stay in rhythm with NATURE • grateful 🙏
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💪 training for life • in a world full of distractions and drama, i’m focusing on what’s important to me • i want to be strong, to feel alive, and to be capable • so i can show up for myself, my family, and my community • when you turn inward and take charge of your own life and your own health, you realize that freedom, real health, and longevity are possible 💗• hope you have an amazing big day
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