Instant Pot Cilantro Chicken Chili (Paleo/Whole30/AIP-Adaptable)

This chili is pretty much a 1-step recipe. Throw everything in your Instant Pot and out pops the most delicious chicken chili recipe that has all the familiar flavors of Mexican chili without any of the nightshade peppers or seasonings.

I got the idea for this chili from Sweet Potatoes & Social Change’s recipe for White Chicken Chili in The Paleo AIP Instant Pot Cookbook. This version adds some extra veggies, herbs and seasonings (omit the cumin for AIP, but most people tolerate seed spices well after the elimination phase) as well as some perfectly paired toppings like avocado, green onion and cilantro.

PREP TIP: Always make sure you cube your vegetables and protein to the sizes listed below to ensure properly cooked food when using your pressure cooker.

If you don’t know what half an inch looks like, break out your 3rd grade ruler like I do. Mine is a unicorn and rainbow holograph ruler, and I will never throw it away. It has moved to almost a dozen homes with me in the last two decades. 

This was our second weekend in our new home. We are still getting everything settled and I’ve almost set up Grace’s room. This is her first bedroom and will be so until she’s at least 5 years old, so I wanted to make it look how I would want my bedroom to look if I was a toddler. There’s a teepee, a feathered ottoman, sparkly golden orbs hanging from the ceiling, shiny gold polka dots on the walls, and a bean bag reading chair that fits both of us. I may also hang a Paul Walker poster in there.

For her obviously, not for me. The thing I’m most excited about is our new Sunday evening tradition: family beach walk. Last night’s walk was extra peaceful because it was drizzling and cloudy, so most people were home and we had the beach mostly to ourselves. We walked to a sand castle carving contest and a drum circle and darted into the car just before it stormed. I can’t be away from the ocean. It makes me feel like I’m on the edge of the earth and reminds how small and insignificant I am. Not in a way that puts me down but a humbling reminder that I need to take care of my tiny little piece of this world as best I can.

Over the last couple years, I’ve forged relationships with people who I thought were good people only to discover they are out for themselves. It was heartbreaking because it’s important for me to be a loyal and dedicated friend and to never turn my back on a person, no matter how far they live from me or how often I see them. Dipping my toes into the ocean and listening to the rhythmic lapping of the waves is a welcome and gentle reminder that those situations are no definition of our world. And people who are not so nice to you probably don’t get out in nature near enough! Right? Because how could you possibly be anything but optimistic and kind if you leave near the ocean or forest or mountains? This world was built to be a beautiful place made for beautiful moments, yes?

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Instant Pot Cilantro Chicken Chili

★★★★★ 5 from 8 reviews

• Author: Alaena Haber
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Ingredients

• 1 medium rutabaga or celery root, peeled and cubed (1/2-inch pieces)
• 2 green plantains, peeled and cubed (1/2-inch pieces)
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 2 pounds chicken breast, cubed (1/2-inch pieces)
• 1 cup bone broth
• 1/4 cup lemon or lime juice
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin (omit for AIP)
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried cilantro
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup chopped cilantro, tightly packed
• for serving: avocado, green onion, additional diced red onion, additional chopped cilantro, plantain chips

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Instructions

1. In your Instant Pot insert, combine all ingredients except the chopped cilantro.
2. Seal the lid and set the “Manual” timer for 9 minutes. Once timer elapses, manually vent the lid.
3. Stir in the cilantro. Serve in individual bowls with suggested toppings.

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Notes

You may use pork loin in place of the chicken, if desired.