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This easy Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup recipe tastes like it’s been cooked low and slow, but it’s fast and low effort! It has plenty of bold flavor in the rich broth.
Try my Stovetop Chicken Tortilla Soup or Creamy Taco Soup next.
Why you’ll love it
I’m a big fan of how the Instant Pot really concentrates flavors in such a quick timespan. That’s especially true in this richly flavored easy chicken tortilla soup recipe! It’s a no muss, no fuss dinner when you’re craving ultra comforting Mexican-inspired food.
All you need is a few canned goods and spices to make the best Instant Pot Tex-Mex soup. We’ve got plenty of canned corn and beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes make the broth extra flavorful in this chicken tortilla soup! It’s not too spicy and packed with flavor.
What you’ll need
- Olive oil – for sautéing
- Onion and garlic – our tasty aromatics. I like a sweet onion like Vidalia.
- Chicken – we’re using boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Seasoning – my tasty blend includes ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder
- Canned goods – we’re using corn, black beans, mild green chilies, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. So convenient!
- Chicken broth – the savory base of the soup
Pro tip
Note that most chili powder brands are mild, but it can vary. If heat level is a concern, be sure to check yours!
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- This is the Instant Pot model I use.
- There’s a good amount of canned ingredients in this recipe, and my trusty OXO can opener makes opening them effortless.
- Mince the garlic quickly with a metal garlic press, and measure the seasonings with this nested measuring spoon set.
How to make Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup
This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Sauté your onion in the Instant Pot. Add the chicken breasts and the rest of the ingredients (except for salt & pepper). Seal it up, and cook on high pressure.
- Let the pressure release naturally, then quick release the remaining pressure.
- Shred the chicken with two forks, then add it back into the pressure cooker. Give it a taste, and season with salt & pepper as needed. Serve and garnish bowls as desired.
Substitutions and variations
- If you prefer chicken thighs, you can definitely make the swap. In fact, they may be even more juicy than chicken breasts since they’re more forgiving when cooking.
- This soup isn’t what I’d call spicy. If you do want to add some heat, start with 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper and/or use hot green chilies instead.
What to serve with Instant Pot tortilla soup
- My favorite part is the toppings! Try sliced avocado, Mexican blend cheese, chopped cilantro, tortilla chips/strips, lime wedges, and sour cream or Greek yogurt.
- I like to prepare my Easy Guacamole and chips while it’s cooking.
- For salad pairings, try my Chipotle Ranch Dressing with spring mix or my bright Avocado Corn Salad.
Leftovers and storage
- This Instant Pot tortilla soup is so good that the leftovers always go really fast too. They’re even better for lunch the next day! Use fresh toppings.
- Store in the fridge in a covered container for 3-4 days, and reheat over low until warmed through.
- You can freeze this one (without toppings) for up to 3 months.
If you tried this simple chicken tortilla soup recipe in the pressure cooker, please leave a star rating and review below! You can also tag me in your photos on Instagram.
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 3 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) can corn drained
- 1 (15 fluid ounce) can black beans drained & rinsed
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
- 2 (13.5 fluid ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
Toppings (optional, to taste):
- Chopped avocado, Mexican shredded cheese blend, cilantro, tortilla chips/strips, lime wedges, sour cream
Instructions
- Sauté the onion in your Instant Pot for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the other soup ingredients, except for salt & pepper, to your pressure cooker and give it a stir.
- Cancel sauté, close the lid, and ensure the valve is on the "sealing" position. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. It'll take about 10-15 minutes for it to get up to pressure.
- Once the countdown has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, and then do a quick pressure release.
- Take the chicken out and shred it with two forks. Add it back into the soup, dish it up, and top each bowl as desired.
Notes
- I use this 6-quart Instant Pot.
- Here is the stovetop version.
- You can use chicken thighs if you prefer (use about a pound or so).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Recipe lacked a lot of flavor
Did you add enough salt?
Wow, wow, wow! Absolutely delicious! First time making it, family and I loved it. One thing, I added frozen chicken breasts and was still raw. I ended up pressure cooking for a total of about 20 minutes or so. Thank you so much. Keeping this one for sure.
You’re very welcome, Tanya!
I want to make this to use up some thighs before going away for the weekend. Does this soup freeze okay? The non-instant pot one looks like it can be frozen so I’m wondering about this recipe.
You bet it can be frozen. Enjoy! 🙂
This has become my go-to recipe for so many things! I make it on weeknights so we have a warm, nutritious meal after late sports practice. I made it for family on Christmas so nobody had to cook after a full day of celebrating. It makes a huge pot and everyone can have 2nd helpings though most usually have thirds! Love this meal!
That’s so nice to hear, Alexis!! Thank you!!
Can this be made using a slow cooker instead? If so, how long do you recommend cooking for?
Sure! Probably 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 on low should do it. 🙂
I have made this many times for family and friends over the last 3-4 years. I always get compliments. 👍 I double the beans and add a bit of Chipotle sauce. My Mexican son-in-law loves it. Thanks for the recipe!
Aww I love that, Reese!! 😀 Thanks for taking the time to write me a review!
So yummy and sooo easy! The only changes I have made were using a can of fire roasted crushed tomatoes instead of diced because I can never find those at my local store. It always turns out so good! Love this for work lunches too because it is so easy for meal prep or just leftovers! So flavourful and so easy in the instant pot!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Serena!! 🙂 Thanks for letting me know!
Hi, I had a cold a few weeks ago and my sweet neighbor made me this most delish soup! I had to have the recipe. So I’m going to make it tonight, but I’m confused about when I’m supposed to add the salt and pepper? The directions say…
“Add the other soup ingredients, except for salt & pepper, to your pressure cooker and give it a stir. ”
Do I add at the end, after I shred the chicken??
Thank you!
Hi! That’s so nice of your neighbor! Yes, you taste it and add in at the end based on how much it needs (everyone’s tastes vary).
Hi! I’mwanting to use frozen chicken breasts, how much extra time should I pressure cook it? TIA!
Looks delicious! Have you ever doubled recipe? Any idea how much time would need to be added?
Hi Julie, generally with Instant Pot recipes you don’t add extra time when doubling. It’ll take longer to get up to pressure, so it’ll by default cook longer. My concern with doubling the recipe in a 6 quart is that it may not all fit. Just be sure not to go over that “max fill” line. You could add a bit more chicken and other ingredients and top up the liquids to that line vs. straight doubling.
So easy and full of flavor! Delicious. Just like all your other recipes I’ve tried. Thanks!
That’s great!! So glad you liked it, Jen! Appreciate you taking the time to leave me a review.