Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup (Print version)

Hearty Mexican-style soup with tender chicken, beans, and spices made effortlessly in your Instant Pot.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
06 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or canned
07 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Beans

08 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
11 - Juice of 1 lime

→ Spices and Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
17 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Toppings

18 - Tortilla strips or chips
19 - Sliced avocado
20 - Chopped fresh cilantro
21 - Shredded cheese
22 - Sour cream
23 - Extra lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add a splash of oil, then sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add the chicken, diced tomatoes with juices, black beans, corn, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
03 - Secure the lid and ensure the valve is set to Sealing. Set to Pressure Cook on High for 10 minutes.
04 - Allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
05 - Remove the chicken from the pot and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
06 - Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and top with tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, cheese, sour cream, and lime wedges as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together so fast that you won't believe how deeply flavored it tastes, like you've been nursing this all day.
  • The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting while you prep toppings or set the table, making dinner stress-free even on chaotic evenings.
  • Everyone at your table gets to customize their own bowl, turning a simple weeknight meal into something interactive and fun.
02 -
  • Natural release for 5 minutes before quick-releasing prevents the soup from splattering out and gives you safer, more tender chicken; I learned this the hard way with a mess that took forever to clean.
  • Tasting after you add lime juice is essential because that acid completely changes how you perceive the salt and spice level in a way that surprises you every time.
03 -
  • If your soup tastes flat after cooking, it's usually begging for salt or acid (more lime), not more spice, so adjust those first before you second-guess your ingredient choices.
  • Prep your toppings while the pot pressurizes so when it's done, you're just assembling rather than frantically chopping avocados and cilantro while hungry people hover.
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