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Two white bowls of chicken tortilla soup with avocado on top and a golden napkin to the side.
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5 from 4 votes

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

An easy hearty shredded chicken soup recipe that is loaded with Mexican flair! This simple Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is a winner for any night of the week!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Soups, Stews, & Chilies
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 371kcal
Author: Julia

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 medium-sized yellow onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp ground paprika
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 to 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
  • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 7-oz can diced green chilis
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained

Fried Corn Tortilla Strips (Optional):

For Serving:

  • Avocado diced
  • Shredded cheese
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sour cream

Instructions

  • Press the Sauté button on your Instant Pot and add the chopped onion. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, about 5 to 8 minutes. 
    Onions cooking in an Instant Pot
  • Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano and sea salt. Allow this mixture to cook for 1 to 2 minutes to let the flavors of the spices open up.
    Onions, garlic, and spices cooking in a pressure cooker.
  • Scoot the onions off to the side and add the boneless chicken thighs to the pot. Cook for 3 minutes per side.
    Chicken thighs in a pressure cooker with onions, garlic, and spices.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the pressure cooker (crushed tomatoes, diced green chilis, chicken broth, corn, and black beans).
    All of the ingredients for chicken tortilla soup in an Instant pot, ready to be cooked.
  • Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, press ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ and set the time for 15 minutes. Make sure the pressure release valve is set to the ‘Sealing’ or closed position.
  • The pressure cooker will take about 10-15 minutes to build the pressure, but once the pressure has built, it will go into its 15 minute high pressure cook cycle.
  • Once the 15 minutes is over, allow the instant pot to naturally release for at least 10 minutes (ideally longer. I let mine completely release for about 40 minutes. This process generates the most tender chicken).
  • Release any remaining pressure using the quick release valve and open the lid of the instant pot.
  • Transfer the chicken thighs to a cutting board and use two forks to shred the chicken.
    Shredded chicken on a cutting board.
  • Place the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot and give everything a big stir. Serve immediately with fried corn strips (instructions below), fresh diced avocado, and any other toppings you like such as grated cheese or sour cream. You can serve with fresh lime wedges for a drizzle of fresh lime juice as well.
    Finished chicken tortilla soup in an instant pot

Homemade Tortilla Strips:

  • Stack 6 to 8 corn tortillas on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut them into strips that are about ¼” to ½” wide.
    Stack of corn tortillas on a cutting board, sliced into strips.
  • Heat ¼ cup of high temperature cooking oil (I use avocado oil) in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is sizzling hot, carefully add 4 to 6 strips of corn tortillas at a time to the oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until the strips are golden brown and have reached your desired level of crisp.
    Tortilla strips frying in oil in a skillet.
  • Transfer the crispy tortilla strips to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat for the remaining tortilla strips. For the best result, serve immediately on top of chicken tortilla soup with any additional toppings.

Notes

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
This soup becomes even more flavorful and delicious the next day and the 2-3 days following preparation. For this reason, I recommend making it one day ahead of time if you can. Nevertheless, it will still be delicious if you eat it immediately after making it. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 6) | Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 12g | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g