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This Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is quick, healthy, and delicious! Packed with juicy, tender chicken, tomatoes, black beans, and corn, this soup is bursting with flavor. Add your favorite toppings, such as homemade tortilla chips, diced avocado, and cheese, and enjoy a delicious weeknight dinner or meal prep lunch in minutes.
Because I can’t get enough of myInstant Pot, I created a pressure cooker friendly version of my most popular Slow Cooker meal,Chicken Tortilla Soup. This soup is a reader and family favorite, and while I love both versions, this Instant Pot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Seriously, people, if you think life with aSlow Cookeris easy, it’s even easier with anInstant Pot. This bowl of deliciousness took only a fraction of the time it would have in theCrock Pot.In fact, it took me around 30 minutes total. One of the easiest recipes for your new pot for sure.
And if you ever left for the day and FORGOT to turn on yourcrock pot(it can’t be just me, right?), you hear me loud on clear on that, don’t you? Oh – and while I am at it, even if you forget to take your chicken out of the freezer…you are STILL a-ok.
Seriously.
I guess what I’m saying is the Instant Pot is going to bethe endof all your excuses.You will have get a little more creative the next time you want to stop at the drive through. Just sayin’.
New to the Instant Pot? Check out this post of Healthy Instant Pot Recipes and get cooking!
Table of Contents
Why I love this Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- Toppings. I am a sucker for a soup with toppings and this soup has all my faves.
- It’s pretty much a dump and go recipe here with very minimal chopping and no babysitting. You just dump a bunch of ingredients into the pot and voila…an amazingly delicious soup, perfect for your busy nights.
- This instant pot soup amazing for meal prep, as the flavors intensify, so this is even better the next day. A great recipe for a make ahead lunch.
- It is customizable – want more veggies? Add them! Dairy free? Skip the cheese topping. In a bigger rush? Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
Ingredients
The soup recipes comes together with simple, wholesome ingredients. Exact amounts and full details are in the recipe card below.
Here’s what you need:
- boneless skinless chicken breasts– raw chicken can be fresh or frozen. Feel free to swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand.
- diced tomatoes with green chiles – I look for mild or original heat rotel tomatoes for this, otherwise the soup can be too spicy for my kids.
- diced tomatoes– I look for low sodium or no salt added whenever possible.
- frozen corn – I have used fresh sweet corn and canned corn in a pinch.
- black beans– give your beans a good rinse before adding to the soup to cut down on the sodium.
- yellowonion– I prefer a yellow onion, but you can use red onion or white onion in this soup.
- jalapeno – this adds flavor not really heat, but if you have sensitive kiddos or family members, you can omit them and use as a topping instead.
- garlic – fresh is best.
- low sodium chicken broth or chicken stock – whatever you have will work.
- cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper – sometimes I add my salt free taco seasoning if I have some prepped, otherwise these simple spices are the perfect combo.
- lime juice – the perfect finish – chef’s kiss!
- Topping ideas – diced avocado, cheese, lime, Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, homemade tortilla strips
- Ingredients for homemade tortilla strips – it’s really easy to bake your own crunchy tortilla strips to top your soup. All you need is:
- organic corn tortillas – I love the mission brand thin tortillas
- avocado or olive oil cooking spray – either will work, but I prefer avocado oil spray
- salt – you can add other seasonings, too, but I like a plain salted version.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Add more veggies – bell peppers, spinach, zucchini carrots, or kale taste amazing in this recipe.
- Switch out your beans – kidney beans or pinto beans are a great option, but any beans will work.
- Use fire-roasted tomatoes – love the smokey kick they give to this soup.
- Swap in poblano pepper – for a little less heat than a jalapeno.
- Saute veggies – Have more time? Use the saute function to saute your onions and garlic before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Instructions
- Toss all the ingredients for the soup into your Instant Pot and give it a stir.
- Turn onto to manual setting for 15 minutes. It will take about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure. When the timer is up, allow soup to naturally release for 5-10 minutes, then carefully switch to quick release, releasing the remaining pressure (I hold a kitchen towel over the top to be safe).
- Once the the steam stops, carefully open the lid and shred chicken with two forks.
How to make homemade tortilla strips
- Preheat your oven to 350 and cut the corn tortillas into strips. Spray with olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Bake for about 10-15 minutes.
- Enjoy with toppings!
Expert Tips
- Doing a full or partial natural release ensures juicy chicken every time.
- If I need some Mexican flavored chicken for meal prep, I will add more to the soup and then separate it into a meal prep container after cook time.
- This soup is delish day of, but gets even more flavorful as it sits, so go ahead and prep it in advance.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely. You can even use a mix of different cuts of chicken. Use the same cook time!
Can I use a different type of bean instead of black beans?
Totally. Pinto beans are a yummy choice, but any bean would work.
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop or in a slow cooker instead of an Instant Pot?
Yes! I have an easy slow cooker chicken tortilla soup on the blog. And making this stovetop is also very simple. I added instructions to the recipe card below.
How spicy is the soup with the jalapeno? Can I omit it or substitute it with something else?
Jalapenos aren’t very spicy, but if you are sensitive to heat, you can omit them and this soup will still have a lot of flavor.
Meal Prep and Storage
To prep ahead: love this recipe for meal prep! Hardly any chopping and no need to sear or babysit the soup. Also, it tastes even better the next day. Simply cool the soup, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To store: Cool soup. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator (I love using Mason Jars) for up to 4 days. Store homemade tortilla strips in a ziplock baggie or airtight container for up to 4 days. They should stay crisp.
To freeze: Freeze soup in souper cubes or freezer safe containers, leaving room at the top of the container for some expansion. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
To reheat: Heat soup in a small pot or in the microwave until soup is warmed.
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes
Salsa Verde Chicken Soup
Cheeseburger Soup
Zuppa Toscana
Chicken Noodle Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Author: Nancylynn
This Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is quick, healthy, and delicious! Perfect for the 21 Day FIXer, or anyone looking to eat clean!
4.96 from 23 votes
Servings : 6 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb raw boneless skinless chicken breasts about 3-4 Breasts
- 10 oz. diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes no salt added
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
- 1 cup black beans no salt added, drained & rinsed
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 jalapeno diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups organic low sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Tortilla Strips:
- 4 organic corn tortillas
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Himalayan salt
- Optional toppings – avocado, cheese, lime, Greek yogurt, cilantro
Instructions
Instant Pot
Toss all the ingredients for the soup into your Instant Pot and give it a stir.
Turn onto to manual setting for 15 minutes. It will take about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure. When the timer is up, carefully switch to quick release (I put a kitchen towel over the top to be safe). Once the the steam stops, carefully open the lid. Remove chicken, and shred with two forks. Add chicken back to soup.
Enjoy with toppings!
Stovetop
Add all of your ingredients to a large dutch oven or pot. Stir.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked though.
Remove chicken, and shred with two forks. Add chicken back to soup.
Enjoy with toppings!
To make homemade tortilla strips:
Preheat your oven to 350 and cut the corn tortillas into strips. Spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle with Himalayan salt. Bake for about 10-15 minutes.
Video
Notes
21 Day Fix: 1/2 RED, 1/2 GREEN, 1/2 YELLOW, (1 YELLOW with the tortilla strips) plus toppings (per serving)
WW: 0 points for soup; 1 point for soup + tortilla strips. Additional toppings not calculated.
Meal Prep and Storage
To prep ahead: love this recipe for meal prep! Hardly any chopping and no need to sear or babysit the soup. Also, it tastes even better the next day. Simply cool the soup, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To store: Cool soup. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator (I love using Mason Jars) for up to 4 days. Store homemade tortilla strips in a ziplock baggie or airtight container for up to 4 days. They should stay crisp.
To freeze: Freeze soup in souper cubes or freezer safe containers, leaving room at the top of the container for some expansion. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
To reheat: Heat soup in a small pot or in the microwave until soup is warmed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 33gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 628mgPotassium: 1292mgFiber: 8gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 287IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 4mg
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