Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free & Whole30 Friendly)

There’s something deeply comforting about a warm bowl of soup on a cold day. When temperatures drop and the evenings grow longer, soup becomes more than just a meal — it’s a ritual. This Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup is rich, savory, and cozy in all the right ways, delivering all the nostalgic flavors of a classic chicken pot pie without the crust, the dairy, or the gluten.

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If you’re anything like me, soup season lasts far longer than winter. A creamy, hearty soup feels grounding, nourishing, and endlessly satisfying, especially when it comes together quickly. That’s exactly why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your rotation. It’s simple enough for a busy weeknight, yet comforting enough to feel like a slow Sunday dinner.

And yes — the Instant Pot does most of the work.

Why This Soup Works So Well

Traditional chicken pot pie is delicious, but it can be time-consuming and heavy. This soup keeps everything you love — tender chicken, classic vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a creamy texture — while skipping what you don’t need. The result is a lighter, cleaner version that still tastes indulgent.

Using the Instant Pot means deep flavor in a fraction of the time. The pressure cooking method helps the chicken stay juicy, the vegetables perfectly tender, and the broth infused with herbs. It’s proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated.

Don’t worry if you don’t own a pressure cooker. This recipe also adapts beautifully to stovetop and slow cooker methods, which makes it accessible no matter what kind of kitchen setup you have.

A Cozy Soup for Cold Days

This is the kind of meal you crave when the weather pushes you indoors. A bowl of hot soup, a warm blanket, and a quiet evening — that’s the mood this recipe delivers. It’s filling without being heavy and creamy without using any dairy.

Instead of cream or flour, the soup gets its velvety texture from blended potatoes and full-fat coconut milk. This technique creates a naturally thick and luxurious broth while keeping the ingredients clean and simple. The coconut flavor is subtle and savory, blending seamlessly with the herbs and vegetables.

Ingredient Breakdown: Simple and Wholesome

Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used here for convenience, but chicken thighs work just as well if you prefer a richer flavor. Leftover or rotisserie chicken can also be added toward the end for an even faster option.

Vegetables
This soup uses the classic chicken pot pie trio: potatoes, carrots, and celery. Yukon gold or red potatoes are ideal because they blend smoothly and add body to the soup. A handful of leafy greens like spinach or chard is added at the end for extra color and nutrition without overpowering the dish.

Broth
A high-quality broth makes all the difference. Whether you use homemade bone broth or a trusted store-bought option, choose one with clean ingredients and deep flavor. This is the foundation of the soup, so it’s worth getting right.

Herbs and Seasoning
Fresh thyme and rosemary bring warmth and depth, while dried sage adds that unmistakable pot pie flavor. A bay leaf gently perfumes the broth as it cooks. Simple seasoning is all you need — salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley to finish.

The Creamy Element
The secret to this soup’s texture is blending cooked potatoes with coconut milk and stirring it back into the pot. This creates a smooth, creamy consistency without any flour, cream, or dairy. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference.

An Easy Process with Big Flavor

One of the best things about this recipe is how straightforward it is. Everything happens in one pot, starting with a quick sauté to build flavor, followed by a short pressure cook. The final touches — blending the potatoes and adding greens — take just minutes.

It’s the kind of recipe that feels effortless but delivers results that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.

How to Make Chicken Pot Pie Soup in the Instant Pot

This soup is designed to be comforting, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. The Instant Pot allows you to build layers of flavor quickly, without sacrificing texture or taste. Everything comes together in one pot, making cleanup minimal and cooking stress-free.

The process starts with a quick sauté. Browning the chicken briefly helps lock in moisture and adds depth to the final dish. You’re not cooking it all the way through at this stage — just enough to give it structure and flavor. Once the chicken is set aside, the vegetables take their turn in the pot. Onions, carrots, and celery soften just enough to release their natural sweetness, while garlic adds a savory base.

After that, everything goes back into the pot. The chicken, potatoes, broth, and herbs cook together under pressure, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully in a short amount of time. Eight minutes of high pressure is all it takes to achieve tender chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables.

The final step is what transforms this from a simple chicken soup into something truly special.

Creating the Creamy Texture (Without Dairy)

Instead of relying on flour or cream, this soup uses a more natural method for creaminess. A portion of the cooked potatoes is blended with full-fat coconut milk and then stirred back into the soup. This thickens the broth gently while keeping the texture smooth and luxurious.

The coconut milk doesn’t overpower the dish. It simply adds richness and body, allowing the herbs and vegetables to shine. If you prefer, you can substitute another non-dairy milk, but full-fat coconut milk gives the best result.

Once the creamy base is added, leafy greens are stirred in at the end. The residual heat wilts them perfectly, preserving their color and nutrients.

Flexible Cooking Methods

While the Instant Pot is the fastest option, this recipe adapts well to other cooking methods:

• Stovetop: Ideal if you enjoy a more hands-on approach and want to control the simmering process.
• Slow Cooker: Perfect for meal prep days or when you want dinner ready after a long day.

Each method produces the same comforting, hearty result with minimal adjustments.

Make It Your Own

This soup is incredibly forgiving and easy to customize. You can swap vegetables based on what you have on hand, adjust the herbs to your taste, or add extra greens for more volume. It also stores well, making it a great option for leftovers. The flavors deepen overnight, so it often tastes even better the next day.

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Serve it on its own or alongside a simple salad. It’s satisfying enough to stand alone, yet versatile enough to pair with your favorite sides.

Warm, nourishing, and deeply comforting, this soup is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again during colder months.

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