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Looking for a clean, comforting meal that supports your body’s natural detox pathways? This Detox Chicken & Kale Soup is my go-to whenever I need a gentle reset. It’s nutrient-packed, light, and simple to prepare—and yes, totally satisfying. It’s comfort in a bowl.
This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole30 compliant, paleo-friendly, and egg-free—a great fit whether you’re steering clear of allergens or just aiming to eat clean.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Kale Soup Recipe
“Swap the juice detox for a soup detox” — that’s how I view this recipe: soothing, full of anti-inflammatory veggies, and kind to your digestion. I call this Chicken Kale Soup my detox soup because it is light, healthy, and packed with anti-inflammatory vegetables that are easy on the digestive system!
- Combines fiber-rich veggies with lean protein to keep you full
- Uses simple, whole-food ingredients
- Works beautifully as a light dinner, lunch, or a “reset day” meal
This is the ideal “reset recipe”! Give your body the boost it needs during sick season and travel season. It’ll get you back on your daily routine in no time. It is also so simple to throw together!
Ingredient Benefits: Why This Soup Is So Nourishing
Every ingredient in this Detox Chicken & Kale Soup was chosen with purpose. Together, they help your body feel balanced, supported, and refreshed from the inside out. Packed with nutrition this chicken soup recipe is a win any time of the year. *Scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details.
- Olive Oil: A healthy source of fat and antioxidants, extra-virgin olive oil supports heart health and helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins from the veggies in this soup.
- Onion: Onions are packed with antioxidants and sulfur compounds that help support the body’s natural detox pathways. They also provide prebiotics—fuel for the good bacteria in your gut—making this soup extra beneficial for digestion. We find yellow onion works well in this recipe.
- Garlic: Known for its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties, garlic cloves help fight off unwanted bacteria and supports liver function, which plays a significant role in detoxification.
- Carrots: Loaded with beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), carrots help support healthy skin, vision, and immune function. They also bring a natural sweetness that balances the savory broth in this soup.
- Celery: A super-hydrating vegetable that is also rich in antioxidants. It’s also a natural source of potassium and folate, helping support electrolyte balance and heart health.
- Organic Chicken Breasts: A lean and clean source of protein that helps build and repair tissues, keeps you full, and stabilizes blood sugar. Choosing organic means avoiding unwanted antibiotics and hormones in your meat. Best when you use shredded chicken in the soup.
- Organic Chicken Broth or Chicken Bone Broth: Bone broth is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium, plus collagen and amino acids that support gut health and joint function. It’s deeply nourishing and helps the body recover after stress, workouts, or travel. Bonus: When you choose bone broth, you get that extra boost of protein in the soup.
- Kale: A detox superstar! Leafy green kale is rich in fiber, chlorophyll, and sulfur—nutrients that naturally support the liver and help flush out toxins. It’s also high in vitamins C and K, as well as other antioxidants for overall immune and cellular support.
- Fresh Ginger: Warming and soothing, ginger supports digestion, helps reduce inflammation, and may ease bloating or nausea. It gives the soup that gentle “zing” while helping your body feel calm and balanced.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Lemon adds brightness and a burst of vitamin C, which supports your immune system and enhances the flavor of the soup. It also helps the body’s natural detox process by stimulating the body’s digestive enzymes.
- Sea Salt + Pepper: Sea salt provides trace minerals your body needs to stay hydrated and maintain electrolyte balance. Black pepper adds a touch of heat and helps increase nutrient absorption. *add to taste.
- Fresh Parsley: Parsley isn’t just a garnish—it’s full of vitamin C and other various antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and support kidney and liver function. It also adds a fresh, clean finish to the soup. Fresh herbs really stand out here.
8 Natural, Holistic Ways to Support Detoxification
Beyond food, there are everyday habits that Mike and I have been implementing to help naturally detox our bodies. Here are our favorite easy practices:
- Move every day: A walk, yoga, or stretching helps stimulate circulation.
- Sweat it out: You know we love our sauna – this encourages the body to release toxins through the skin.
- Dry brushing or self-massage: Use a natural bristle brush before showering to stimulate your lymphatic system.
- Hydrate smartly
Drink filtered water (aim for half your body weight in ounces) and infuse with lemon or herbs. - Prioritize sleep
Quality rest ensures your body can repair, regenerate, and flush out waste products. - Get sunlight & fresh air
Vitamin D and simply being outdoors help balance hormones and support detox pathways. - Reduce screen time & EMF exposure
Unplugging and grounding (e.g., walking barefoot on grass) helps your nervous system reset. - Support digestion
Foods rich in probiotics (fermented veggies) and fiber (leafy greens, roots) help your gut eliminate efficiently.
As always, listen to your body—some practices feel good, others may need tweaking for your personal needs.
Why This “Detox” Soup
I often opt for this detox soup because it’s much more satisfying and sustainable than various other options. Thanks to the combination of lean protein and fiber, it actually keeps you full, while being gentle on digestion and supportive of long-term balance. Plus, unlike many other detox options, it won’t spike your blood sugar.
Whenever I travel, overindulge, or just start to feel a little sluggish, this soup becomes my go-to reset—cozy, nourishing, and totally doable any night of the week.
Pro Tips, Variations/Substitutions & Storage
- Switch your protein: Use shredded rotisserie chicken or turkey if you’re short on time.
- Boost with superfoods: Add spices like turmeric, cumin, or even a splash of coconut milk for extra depth.
- Switch your broth: You canopt for a vegetable broth if you prefer and omit chicken for a vegetarian friendly option.
- Make it even heartier: Toss in diced sweet potatoes or zucchini.
- Save for later:
- This soup keeps really well, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- When reheating, warm it gently on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. If the soup has thickened a bit in the fridge, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.
- You can also freeze this soup for longer storage. To do that, let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Pro tip: If you’re making it ahead specifically to freeze, leave out the kale and stir in fresh kale when reheating for the best texture and color. We like lacinato kale or curly kale options for this recipe.
More Soups
- Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
- Avgolemono Soup (Greek Lemon Chicken Soup)
- Egg Roll Soup
- Easy Vegetarian Hot and Sour Soup
Detox Chicken and Kale Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large white onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 medium carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 lb. organic boneless chicken breasts cubed
- 5 cups organic chicken stock
- 3-4 handfuls fresh kale ribs removed and roughly chopped
- Optional: 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper more to taste
- 1 tablespoon parsley roughly chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-low heat, heat oil.
- Add in onion and garlic and sautè for one minute.
- Add in carrots and celery. Sautè for five minutes, until onion is translucent.
- Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Once onion is translucent, add in chicken and sautè until chicken is opaque and fully cooked through. Should take about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Pour in chicken stock and season with salt, pepper, ginger and lemon juice if using.
- Add in kale.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat down to low and let simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Great recipe! I have made this soup several times and adjusted with chickpeas over chicken for a vegan version; reduced the carrots and celery and added cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, potato and sweet corn (frozen).
It turned out great very delicious