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Do you need a quick and easy dinner idea the whole family will love? Try Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup for a delicious dinner that is budget friendly and ready in only 30 minutes in the instant pot!
This meal literally is one of the easiest recipes ever! Toss all the ingredients in the pressure cooker and you have a fabulous meal just 30 minutes later! Making this recipe is faster and so much better for you then going through the drive-thru.
It is the perfect meal for busy weeknights when you are running from work and school to sports and more! We also like serving this chicken tortilla soup for our game day get-together. It is so easy to throw together and everyone loves how it taste. We love easy Instant pot Chicken Breast Recipes.
What's in this post: Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Why We Love This Chicken Tortilla Soup
I love my instant pot, but occasionally I will make this recipe on my stove top. Using the same ingredients, the chicken tortilla soup can come together and you will have a perfect soup to warm you up on a cold fall day.
This recipe just warms my soul since it is loaded with protein and veggies. If you wanted to make it low carb, just omit the tortilla’s.
This recipe only calls for 2 chicken breasts. You can really stretch your meat budget with recipe likes this one. In fact, you can even add extra beans or tomatoes to stretch this meal even more. It is so easy to make, and very frugal friendly.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breast – You can use skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. They can even be frozen.
- Black Beans –Black beans is so easy to make them in the crock pot. You can use other types of beans.
- Tomatoes with Green Chiles – Rotel is perfect for this recipe
- Onion – If you are out, check out Best Onion Substitute
- Corn – We like using frozen corn kernels. Add in other vegetables such as carrots, green bell pepper or celery.
- Chicken Broth – See Chicken broth substitutes if you are out
- Chili Powder, Cumin – Our Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe works great too
- Garlic Salt – You can also use cloves garlic.
- Avocado – We love fresh avocado on top!
How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Instant Pot
Step 1 – Toss everything in your Instant Pot (not including chips, cheese, and cilantro). Add the lid and set the valve to sealing.
Step 2 – Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Cooking time could vary.
Step 3 – Do a quick release to remove the pressure.
Step 4 – Remove cooked boneless skinless chicken breast and shred. Place back into the Instant pot and Stir.
Step 5 – To Serve, spoon into a bowl, top with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro if you have it.
Step 6 – Make sure you let your kids do the chip crushing, because that is the best part with this dinner. Top with avocado and your meal is complete.
Step 7 – Feel free to add a little extra chili powder for heat and olive oil for extra flavor.
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients
- 3 boneless chicken breasts (can be frozen)
- 1 can black beans 15 oz can – rinsed and drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies 10 oz can
- 1 can crushed tomatoes 14.5 oz can
- ½ onion chopped
- 1 cup corn
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 tsp Chili Powder
- 2 Tsp Cumin
- 1 Tsp Garlic Salt
- Tortilla Strips (Optional for topping)
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Optional for topping)
- Fresh Cilantro (Optional for topping)
- 1 Avocado (Optional for topping)
Instructions
How to make Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe:
- Toss everything in your Instant Pot (not including chips, cheese, and cilantro). Add the lid and set the valve to sealing.
- Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.
- Do a quick release to remove the pressure
- Remove the chicken and shred. Place back into the Instant pot and Stir.
- To Serve, spoon into a bowl, top with your desired toppings. We love crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Expert Tips
- Instant Pot Recommendation – We like using an 8 quart Instant pot but you can use a 6 quart. I personally have an Instant Pot and so far I am loving it. It’s really changed dinner time around here. Those days when I forget to take something out of the freezer is not a problem with my instant pot.
- Shredding Chicken – Did you know that you can shred chicken with a mixer? I was so surprised how easy it is and saved me so much time. You will remove chicken from instant pot and place in large bowl. Then began shredding with a hand mixer. You chicken is shredded in no time and it is ready to place back in your soup.
- Preparing Vegetables – We like to prepare our vegetables ahead of time by dicing them with a mandoline slicer and then freezing to easily add to many recipes.
Topping Ideas
We like to top ours with crushed up tortilla chips or tortilla strips.
Other ideas include:
- Shredded Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Avocado
- Green Onion
- Hot Sauce
- Fresh Lime Juice
And whatever you like! Just be careful with toppings if trying to be gluten free.
Can You Freeze Tortilla Soup?
This recipe also freezes great. Sometimes I make a double batch of Chicken Tortilla Soup Pressure Cooker to have the extra to freeze. The consistency is the same as the day you made it. Just reheat and you have delicious soup for those busy nights.
I actually think it taste better the second time around. All those ingredients marinate together and makes this soup perfect on those cold nights.
We also like freezing this soup in individual containers. This makes a perfect lunch for my husband. I know that he is getting a healthy, warm lunch during the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
This soup is perfect if you would like a vegetarian option. You would just simply omit the chicken and add an extra couple cans of beans and tomatoes. It is just as tasty!
You can also add in some other vegetables. If I have some extra vegetables that are about to go bad, I throw them. None of my kids notice and I am glad that I can sneak in some additional vegetables.
Yes, If you prefer the slow cooker, try this Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe. It is just as easy to make!
If using rotisserie chicken to make instant pot tortilla soup, set pressure for 10 minutes. Using a rotisserie chicken instead makes this recipe even easier.
Another quick meal we love is this Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe. Delicious chicken and cheesy rice combine for the the best meal with tons of flavor.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers last about 3-4 days and delicious reheated in the microwave or the stovetop.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
Quick and Easy Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Quick and Easy Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
Quick and Easy Soup
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
Quick and Easy Instant Pot
Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup
We love to hear from you. If you make Chicken Tortilla Soup Instant Pot Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Oh my goodness I am in love!! Quick, easy, cheap and loved by my whole family, even my husband who doesn’t love soup! Definitely going to make this a go to in my house during the colder seasons. ??
Renee – Wow! Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to hear it will be on the rotation! Thanks for commenting.
Easy and excellent. Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Chris. Thank you for sharing and thank you for the positive review.
Delicious! I didn’t have black beans, so I used cannellini beans and it turned out great. I also didn’t have crushed tomatoes and used tomato sauce. I didn’t intend to change the recipe, but it turned out great. Super simple, tasty recipe. Thanks!
I’m so glad that it was still delicious with the ingredient substitutions! Thank you for sharing and thank you so much for the positive review!
Your measurements show Tsp and tsp. Are the capital Tsp for Tablespoon? I’m use to seeing Tbsp with a B for Tablespoon and tsp, lower case and no b, for teaspoon. Since you show Tsp and tsp, I’m thinking thins is how you write Tablespoon and teaspoon, but would like to know for sure before making the soup. Would you please clarify?
PS. I love that your recipe calls for frozen chicken, and gives alternative cook times for fresh and rotisserie chicken! That is sooo helpful!!!
So sorry for the confusion yes Tsp and tsp is both just teaspoon. And I’m so lad you found that helpful.
Well I’m trying to make this right now cuz it sounds amazing. I have an 8 quart instant pot. I followed the recipe to a T but it goes up way past my fill line. And now it’s been in the on position for 40 minutes. I’m not sure if I did something wrong???
These ingredients should not exceed the fill line in an 8 quart instant pot so double check that you used the right amount of broth and other ingredients. It does take the instant pot longer to get to pressure when more ingredients are in the insert.
This was SUPER yummy, I made it for my mom and she asked for the recipe too – we’ll both be making this again for sure!
The whole family loved it!! Making it again now, 2nd time in a week!…it’s that good!
So glad you love it!
A great homage to my heritage. I did reduce the cumin in 1/2 as it can be overwhelming in most dishes, added 1 more chicken breast. Otherwise it was awesome! Fam says its a must repeat.
OMG! This tortilla soup was amazingly delicious! Thank you so much for sharing it with us all! This is on top of my winter soups. It’s. A must try! ? I wish I was able to post a picture but it don’t allow me too. Best tortilla soup recipe I’ve tried!
Thanks so much! I’m so glad you loved it!
Can this recipe be frozen and still taste great?
Yes it freezes great!
This was the BEST EVER!!!
I love this recipe. It is one of my go to recipes. I’ve shared it with several friends. Yum! Thank-You.
We love this recipe! So so good, fresh ingredients fast and super easy! I strip out tortillas and basically “fry” them in olive oil to add on top.
This recipe is so easy and good. Made it for my husband and his coworkers who got called to work during a storm and they all loved it. If you need a quick and easy throw together dinner, highly recommend this!
I’ve made this twice now and both times it’s turned out amazing. My mother-in-law wanted the recipe but doesn’t have an instant pot. Any suggestions on how to make this in the slow cooker or stove top.
So yummy and tasty was not hard to make at all
So delicious and easy and my favorite go to recipe!
So delicious and my favorite go to recipe.
Love how easy and yummy this is!!
This recipe is easy and tastes great ! I recommend it .
I would like to make this using frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs, frozen black beans that I made in the instant pot and freeze in can sized portions, and frozen corn. How long do you suggest I cook it? Longer than 30 minutes I presume since I am using thighs rather than breast meat.
I would cook it for 35 minutes with a quick release and that should work great. I hope you enjoy it!
Question: 2 Tablespoons chili powder
And 2 Teaspoons cumin
And 1 Teaspoon garlic salt.. correct?
For this recipe, I use 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin and 1 teaspoon garlic salt.
This is so YUMMY!! we love Mexican food and this is so easy to make and especially great on a cold snowy day in Wisconsin!!
Is the 30 minute cook time for frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, this is for 30 minutes. If your chicken is fresh (not frozen), reduce the cook time to 25 minutes. Thanks!
This was fantastic btw! Can you tell me what the serving size is? I see the nutrition was listed but not the serving size it correlates with.
The entire recipe serves 6, so each serving is 1/6 of the entire amount. It’s hard to put an exact quantity on it as each batch will be a different size. Thanks!
So good. Love how easy it is in the instant pot.
One of my favorites!
December 26, 2020
I am always looking for good soup recipes & I love Mexican soups. This is a great easy recipe I made in my Instant Pot. Tastes authentic, love the variety of toppings & the presentation of the finished soup. We always do Taco Tuesdays at my house & this Mexican Tortilla Soup fits the criteria & makes the grade. Especially appreciated on cold winter days.
My husband and I love this soup. I have made it several times and I’m going to make it again this week. We definitely give this five stars. I’m I search for leftover ham recipes.
This is a delicious and easy soup. My whole family loves it.
This is an excellent recipe. So easy and delicious!
I love chicken tortilla soup and the convenience of the instant pot, because I try my best but just don’t always plan ahead. It’s great to have something to make that I can actually have the ingredients on hand.
Unfortunately, I do not have an instant pot but this recipe came out just as delicious on the stovetop and in the crockpot. Leftovers are easy to freeze for another time!
This is so easy to make and a winner in my family!
Delicious, nutritious and easy what more could you want….oh yes, it freezes well too.
Thanks
Very very delicious and love all the recipes
This was so delicious and so simple to make! The flavors melded beautifully. My hubby and I plan to try it with different beans, although we adore black beans.
Tried this and it was amazing!!!! Thank you!
Woohoo! Thanks for sharing!
What is the size can you’re using for the beans, tomatoes and chilies, and crushed tomatoes ?
I used a 15 oz can of beans, 10 oz can of tomatoes with green chiles and 14.5 oz can of crushed tomatoes. I updated the recipe with this information as well. Thank you!
Would it still be 30 minutes – no chicken? Can you use Canned Pinto instead of Black beans?
If you don’t have the chicken, I think that 10 minutes with a quick release would work great. Also, yes, I think pinto beans instead of black beans would be delicious in this recipe. Thank you!
Excellent soup!
30 minutes is definitely too long. 20 minutes was the perfect temperature. I also added six cups of water, an additional can of tomatoes with chilies, four chicken bullion cubes, and one fresh diced jalepeno. I added sliced corn tortillas and fresh cilantro after I released the pressure with some lime juice. It made enough to feed my family of four with a little extra. I recommend a dallop of sour cream and shredded cheese for toppings. My husband and son added tortilla chips as well. Delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing!
I have an 8Qt Instant Pot, can I double the recipe and should the corn be canned or frozen?
Yes, you can double the recipe and I use frozen or canned corn (it does not need to be cooked) – thank you!
30 minutes on high pressure and only 2 cups of liquid? Is this right? Has anyone actually made this? In the hundreds of meals and soups I’ve made in pressure cookers, I’ve never seen frozen chicken cooked past 17 minutes.
We want the chicken to be shred-able and tender in this soup so we do recommend a longer cook time for this recipe. Thank you!
Delicious! My husband loved it!
I will definately make again!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Same question that wasn’t answered above… it says ready 30 minutes later, but it takes about 15-20 min to pressurize and then “cook on high pressure for 30 minutes”, which would be longer than 30 minutes. Plus, that seems like a long time to set for chicken, so is it 30 minutes total with less pressure time, or is it about 50 min total? Thanks! Can’t wait to try it!
It’s 30 minutes once the instant pot has come to pressure. The time needed for the instant pot to come to pressure varies per instant pot and based on quantity of food in the instant pot so the total time will vary based on the appliance. I usually cook chicken breast for 25-35 minutes on high pressure based on the size and whether or not it’s frozen when it’s put in the instant pot. Thank you.
We LOVE this. It’s so simple to make and has such good flavor. We’ve made it a lot and it’s always a hit. Thank you!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Does it matter what size chicken breast that you use?
I’m going to attempt this tonight. Is 30 mins in the instant pot right?Seems too long because chicken is normally cooked in 12 mins. Just double checking so I don’t ruin the dinner with the time amount. Thanks.
Can I double this recipe? I have an 8 qt instant pot. Thanks!
Can I double this recipe in the insta pot?
Do you drain the beans? Also I’ll be using can corn-should I drain? (Forgot to buy frozen)
I don’t drain the beans but I would drain canned corn. Thank you!
This is delicious!!!
Capital T indicates Table spoon. Lowercase t indicates teaspoon. “t-s-p” is teaspoon. “Tsp” is confusing. Are you using a Tablespoon or teaspoon here?
I’m using a teaspoon for this recipe. Thank you.
All I can say is wow. The tortilla soup was a amazing. The best I have ever ate.
Awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.