Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup (Printable version)

Tender chicken, beans, and vegetables simmered with Mexican spices in a pressure cooker for a quick, satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 or frozen
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, adjusted 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 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add oil, then sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add chicken, diced tomatoes with juices, black beans, corn, and chicken broth. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
03 - Secure the lid and set valve to Sealing position. Set to Pressure Cook on High for 10 minutes.
04 - Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
05 - Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Return 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 Advice:

01 -
  • The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting while you relax, making dinner feel like a victory even on your worst days.
  • Tender, perfectly cooked chicken with beans and vegetables means this tastes sophisticated but couldn't be simpler.
  • One pot means one cleanup, which honestly might be the best part about the whole thing.
02 -
  • Never skip the natural pressure release step; rushing it can make your chicken tough and ruin the whole thing.
  • Add the lime juice at the very end, not before, because pressure cooking can make citrus flavors turn bitter.
03 -
  • If your soup seems too thin, you can use the sauté function to simmer it uncovered for a few minutes after cooking to reduce the liquid slightly.
  • This soup freezes beautifully for up to three months, so make a double batch and save yourself on a future hectic day.
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