Nourishing Paleo Chicken Soup Slow Cooker Recipe

December 15, 2017 Rebecca Baron 37 Comments

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This is a Paleo chicken Soup slow cooker recipe loaded with bright vegetables and tender, fall off the bone chicken. It is packed full of hearty vegetables and tender, juicy chicken. I decided to call this chicken soup "nourishing" since you create your own meat broth using bone-in thighs.

Nourishing Paleo Chicken Soup Slow Cooker Recipe - My Natural Family (1)

You can make it even more nourishing by throwing in some bones so you get some bone broth action going too. After all, my favorite way to make bone broth is to cook a bunch of bones in my crockpot for a few days. So go again and throw a few leftover bones and maybe a chicken foot or two in the crockpot.

Oh, and after you are done eating your delicious soup, make sure and save all the bones in your freezer to use in your next bone broth. Or better yet, just keep them in overnight and have a delicious, rich bone broth in your crockpot in the morning.

Something else unique about this recipe is that you don't put the vegetables in the crockpot until the last two hours. I just can't stand it when vegetables are cooked all day in the crockpot and end up mushy and barely have any nutrients left in them.

Another trick you could do to satisfy multiple diets (which we do all the time at my house) is to cook this version for you but cook some noodles separately and those who want can add noodles to their soup.

My recipe library tends to be packed full of crockpot recipes because they are so magical. Recipes in the crockpot typically taste very good and they are so convenient! You can throw everything in a pot, turn it on and then you can do other things. When it is dinner time you can come back and have a great meal!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did! If you try this Chicken Soup recipe let me know what you think of it and any changes you would make!

Recipe

Nourishing Kale Paleo Chicken Soup Slow Cooker Recipe Recipe

★★★★★5 from 6 reviews

Author: Rebecca Baron
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 360 minutes
Total Time: 405 minutes
Yield: 8 1x
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Paleo

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Description

A one-pot chicken soup with a nourishing broth made from chicken bones, fresh thyme, garlic. Loaded with bright vegetables and tender, fall off the bone chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lb Chicken Thighs (about 5 thighs)
½ Tbsp Real Salt *
¼ tsp Pepper
2 Fresh Thyme
2 Cloves Garlic
5 Cups Chicken Stock
2 Tbsp Chicken Base (if using water instead of chicken broth)
1 lb Carrots (sliced in half lengthwise and cut into ¼" slices)
1 Yellow Onion
½ Bunch Kale (chopped into bite-sized pieces, about 4 cups packed)
½ Tbl Fresh Thyme
To Taste Real Salt

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Instructions

Place the chicken thighs in the base of a crock pot. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the chicken.
Place the thyme sprigs and minced garlic on top of the chicken.
Pour the water (or chicken broth) into the crock pot. Add the chicken base, if using.
Cook the chicken on high for 4 hours.
After 4 hours the chicken should be "fall off the bone" tender.
Remove the chicken from the crock pot and place in a bowl.
Remove the thyme sprigs and discard.
At this point, if you desire, you can strain the broth in the crock pot through a fine mesh sieve *(if you want a broth free from any debris left from the chicken).
Add the broth back to the crock pot after straining.
Turn heat back to high.
Separate the chicken from the bones.
Lightly shred the chicken. Discard any cartilage.
Add the bones back to the soup and cover and refrigerate the chicken.
Add the carrots, onions, and chopped thyme to the broth and cook on high for 2 hours.
In the last ½ hour of cooking, add the kale to the soup.
After 2 hours the carrots should be soft and tender, along with the kale.
Remove the bones from the soup and discard.
Check the seasonings and add more salt or pepper as necessary.
Add the chicken to the soup and allow to reheat for about 10 minutes. Do not stir too much or the chicken will become over-shredded.
Serve

Keywords: nourishing, fresh, tender, one-pot

Reader Interactions

Comments

Doug
March 01, 2018 at 9:03 pm
While this soup looks delicious, I don’t think you can really say that it’s Keto. There’s carrots, which are on the no-no list of vegetables for keto.
Reply
- Rebecca
  March 06, 2018 at 10:51 am
  I've read that carrots can be enjoyed in moderation on the Keto diet, so if you're worried about it, just go light on the carrots. Besides, a serving has less than 10 net carbs, so that seems plenty low in carbs to me.
  Reply
Bethany
February 27, 2017 at 6:19 pm
Wonderful soup! Thanks so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca
  February 27, 2017 at 10:03 pm
  You're welcome. I'm glad you like it!
  See Also
  Vegetable Soup Recipe Best Homemade Sauce Recipes - 44 ideas!Homemade Miso Recipe, Made with Garbanzo Bean Instead of Soy Clean Eating Italian Dressing Recipe
  Reply
  - B Palmer
    November 21, 2017 at 7:36 am
    I love this soup! WONDERFUL flavor. Thank you!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
chelsea kline
May 21, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Can I cook this on low?
Reply
- Rebecca
  June 20, 2016 at 11:25 am
  Yes. You would do around 6-8 hours on low.
  Reply
Steffi Jo
December 04, 2015 at 4:05 pm
I have made this soup so many times over the past almost-two years since going Paleo. It is my favorite! Even my husband, who hates all things green and vegetable-y, loves this soup and will request it when I do my meal plans. We had it for dinner this evening for the first time in a while and couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was! The word "nourishing" is perfect here, and is one of my new favorite words since going primal. Thank you for creating such a magnificent, soothing, delicious, NOURISHING soup!
Reply
- Rebecca
  December 21, 2015 at 1:17 pm
  So glad you guys like it so much! So do we!
  Reply
Gina
September 13, 2015 at 4:47 pm
I absolutely love this recipe. I've made it twice now and it's very soothing for my soul. I've been looking forward to it all day. Thanks for sharing!!
★★★★★
Reply
Kelli
September 02, 2015 at 12:14 pm
How do I adjust it to use frozen chicken thighs?
Reply
- Rebecca
  September 07, 2015 at 10:57 am
  you might have to cook longer and put a little bit less water.
  Reply
Ashley
August 20, 2015 at 3:43 pm
If you were to do this in a pressure cooker would you cook everything at once? Or would you cook everythinf except the kale in the cooker for 30min?
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca
  August 29, 2015 at 4:06 pm
  If you want to try it with a pressure cooker I would put it all in together. I could be wrong I have never done it with this recipe. If you are feeling brave give it a try.
  Reply
Angie
January 29, 2015 at 2:39 pm
See Also
10 budget-busting Jack Monroe recipes
Would there be a way to use leftovers from a whole cooked chicken to make a soup like this?
Reply
- Rebecca
  March 24, 2015 at 10:10 pm
  To use leftovers, you would have to either make a stock from the leftover bones in the crock pot all day then throw the cooked chicken in at the end or I always make lots of extra broth while I am at it so I can freeze it and have extras for days when I am busy.
  Reply
Diane
December 10, 2014 at 11:44 am
Can't wait to try these!
Reply
Maria Alison@ Ten at the Table
November 28, 2014 at 9:07 am
I have been looking into incorporating more paleo meals into my family's diet. I love my crock pot and I love soup so this sounds perfect! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Reply
Kayleigh
October 26, 2014 at 2:24 pm
The soup looks great. Do you have any recommendations on the best way to freeze the soup? I guess I worry about the kale not being tasty after being defrosted.
Reply
- Rebecca
  November 11, 2014 at 10:52 am
  You’re right, I don’t think the kale would freeze super well. I would simply set aside the portion you want to freeze before adding the kale. Then you could freeze it and when you are ready to use it again, reheat it and add in the kale at that point.
  Reply
  - Randi
    January 01, 2015 at 5:16 pm
    I have froze cooked kale in soups and it defrosts just fine as does spinach.
    Reply
Crystal
October 17, 2014 at 1:11 pm
would this recipe freeze well after cooking to serve at a later date?
Reply
- Rebecca
  November 11, 2014 at 10:53 am
  I don’t think the kale would freeze super well. I would simply set aside the portion you want to freeze before adding the kale. Then you could freeze it and when you are ready to use it again, reheat it and add in the kale at that point.
  Reply
- Rebecca
  November 11, 2014 at 10:54 am
  It should freeze just fine, though the kale could be a bit soggy when reheated. You can always leave the kale out and add fresh kale when reheating the frozen soup.
  Reply
Skye
October 07, 2014 at 1:49 pm
Exceptional! My husband and I loved this soup, and I am currently making it again using rosemary instead of the thyme, as the store was out. One of our new favorite recipes! Not only is it healthy, but it is exceptionally delicious, too! Can't wait to try your other recipes. Thank you for sharing!
P.S. I'm switching to a mostly Paleo diet and adding exercise into my routine after struggling with infertility myself and PCOS, and my cycles are starting to regulate! Thank you for sharing your success, as it helps give me hope :)!
★★★★★
Reply
- Rebecca
  October 09, 2014 at 12:57 pm
  Thanks for your nice comments!
  Reply
Darlene
August 19, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Hi! I look forward to trying your Crock Pot Paleo Chicken & Kale Soup. I am in the process of changing my lifestyle to a more healthier way of eating. I am calorie counting so my question to you is: 'What is the suggested serving size and how many calories per serving'?
Reply
- Rebecca
  September 19, 2014 at 12:17 pm
  I don’t run nutrition information on my recipes, but you can easily plug the ingredients into a calorie calculator on sites such as myfitnesspal.com. Hope you get a chance to try the soup!
  Reply
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
May 09, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Looks delicious...my family loves soup and this one looks great! It's nice to have some new things to try!
Reply
Karly
May 03, 2014 at 4:13 pm
How delicious and comforting! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Reply
Nan @ grannyfab.blogspot.com
April 30, 2014 at 6:17 am
I have found a kindred soul! Love homemade soup (especially for breakfast!) Love kale! Love Real Salt! I aspire to be 100% Paleo, but for now I can only claim that I adhere to a natural foods diet, low in non-Paleo cheats!
Keep up the good work! I'm putting you on my follow list!
Reply
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe
April 29, 2014 at 12:53 pm
It's funny, I have a crock-pot in my pantry staring me in the face every day, but I hardly ever think to use it for some reason. I love kale in chicken soup. I usually throw in some Great Northern Beans too for extra fiber. They're one of the few beans I really love - mild almost buttery flavor. Love your bowls too! 🙂 [#TastyTuesdays]
Reply
jasmine
April 06, 2014 at 9:34 pm
I love the crock pot too! But not on days when I'm home all day because the delicious smell makes me feel hungry ALL day long. Haha!
Reply
Sarah L
April 05, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Excellent recipe, full of good things. Thanks.
★★★★★
Reply
Terrie Swanson
March 28, 2014 at 2:36 pm
This soup looks so great I want to eat it from my screen but I'll refrain. I'll get the recipe and try it for real.
Reply
TeaJae
March 23, 2014 at 10:17 am
this looks wonderful. Spring is on its way in but some days its still a little cool so a nice pot of soup is always good. This is easy peasy a keeper. What is Real Salt?
Reply
- Rebecca
  March 27, 2014 at 9:31 am
  This will tell you everything you need to know about Real Salt - https://www.mynaturalfamily.com/natural-wellness/why-everyone-in-the-world-should-use-redmond-real-salt/
  Reply

Nourishing Paleo Chicken Soup Slow Cooker Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

FAQs

Does soup taste better in slow cooker? ›

That's because the low, slow style of cooking lets the flavors simmer together for hours, creating a much richer and more flavorful meal.

Get More Info Here ›

Why is chicken soup good for you? ›

All those bits of carrot, celery, and onion commonly found in chicken noodle soup are a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as other antioxidants and minerals. “Not only does this help build a healthy immune system to fight off viruses, it also helps your body recover from illness more quickly,” Allonen says.

Discover More Details ›

Does chicken broth have cysteine? ›

The main ingredient, chicken, is essential to the make-up of this soup's healing powers. When chicken cooks in soup, an amino acid called cysteine is released.

Get More Info ›

Is chicken soup antiviral? ›

Modern research has actually shown that chicken soup, more than other hot liquid, increases mucus flow and helps the body rid itself of the cold virus. Chicken is rich in an amino acid called cysteine which helps loosen secretions. This effect is increased by adding spices such as pepper and garlic.

See Details ›

Is it OK to leave soup in a crockpot overnight? ›

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

Read The Full Story ›

How long can you leave soup in crockpot on low? ›

That varies by what's inside the slow cooker and also by the appliance's setting and model, the experts say. Most recipes for all-day cooking call for 6 to 8 hours on low. Quality- (and safety-) wise, another 1 to 2 hours in 'keep warm' mode won't mess things up.

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Is it OK to eat chicken soup everyday? ›

Eating chicken noodle soup as your main meal daily may provide some benefits, but it's important to consider your diet's nutritional balance and variety. It's important to remember that chicken noodle soup alone may not provide all the nutrients your body needs.

Is homemade chicken soup nutritious? ›

The best chicken soup recipes are chock-full of veggies like carrots, celery and onions — all of which are rich in vitamins C and K, not to mention other antioxidants and minerals. Vitamin C is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in your bones.

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What is the healthiest soup to eat why? ›

Vegetable soup is one of the best soups to eat. Vegetable soup is made with potatoes, carrots, onions, green beans and green peas. The combined nutrition of each vegetable adds a great number of vitamins and minerals to your diet. Potatoes are a good source of potassium and carrots provide beta carotene.

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Are eggs high in cysteine? ›

6 Foods rich in cysteine include poultry, egg, beef, and whole grains.

Which broth has collagen? ›

Bone broth contains a range of minerals including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur, and trace minerals that can help support overall health. Bone broth is naturally high in unprocessed collagen, which helps to promote healthy joints and improve skin health and elasticity.

What is healthier than chicken broth? ›

And the Winner Is..

Stock! Whether homemade or store-bought it has more protein and usually less sodium per serving as compared to broth. Plus, the flavor is just better which means you'll start with something tastier and will hopefully use less salt to taste at the end.

What soup is good for cough and phlegm? ›

Which soups can help with a cough that brings up phlegm? Soups with ingredients like loquat leaf, apricot kernel, and bitter almond are believed to be effective in reducing phlegm. You can also try soups with herbs like platycodon root and fritillary bulb, which are believed to have expectorant properties.

Discover More Details ›

Is chicken soup a natural antibiotic? ›

Chicken contains an amino acid cysteine which has been shown to reduce and break up mucous congestion in the lungs. Garlic- Garlic is a must in a chicken soup as nature's best natural antibiotic and antibacterial agent to help your body fight infection and get better quickly.

Keep Reading ›

What is the best broth to drink when sick? ›

Bone broth is a great way to replenish fluids and electrolytes, which can help improve the symptoms of dehydration or respiratory tract infections.

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Is soup better in crockpot or stove? ›

On the positive side, a slow cooker is a sealed environment. This means there's very little evaporation and your food cooks with the help of moist heat. Technically, this means you're actually cooking your food with flavored steam, which helps to seal in flavor while the soup cooks.

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Is it better to slow cook or pressure cook soup? ›

The Verdict: While the pressure cooker prepared a superior tasting dish, it all comes down to how you want to spend your time. The slow cooker is great for hands off cooking. The pressure cooker is fast and provides a better result, but you need to be in the kitchen the entire time it's on the stove.

Does soup taste better the longer you cook it? ›

Originally Answered: Does simmering soup longer make it taste better? If you're simmering a thing for hours, you will intensify the flavor by cooking off some of the liquid. This might make it taste better, but if cooked too long, it may end up too salty or otherwise be over-seasoned.

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Will soup reduce in slow cooker? ›

Our answer. Slow cookers can be useful for cooking stews, but generally the combination of low heat and a tightly fitting lid will mean that the auce doesn't get a chace to thicken (by reduction) and consequently the sauce can be a little thin.

Show Me More ›

Nourishing Paleo Chicken Soup Slow Cooker Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

Recipe

Nourishing Kale Paleo Chicken Soup Slow Cooker Recipe Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

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FAQs

Does soup taste better in slow cooker? ›

Which broth has collagen? ›