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Home » Food » Recipes » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

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Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup is a delicious, quick and easy dinner that you can throw together in less than thirty minutes.

Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup in two white bowls shot overhead with tortilla chips, limes and cilantro

Did y’all catch the Amazon deals on the Instant Pot over the holidays? There were some CRAZY good deals! (Amazon affiliate)

If you are an Instant Pot newbie, welcome to the world of pressure cooking. There is a little bit of a learning curve, but once you get a few home run recipes under your belt, you will never look back. Check out my full Instant Pot recipe collection if you are interested.

No Instant Pot? No problem! If you want to make this same recipe in the slow cooker, you can get that recipe here.

But back to this Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup recipe!

Instant pot chicken tortilla soup in the inner pot with ladle and red towel

To start making this recipe, fist gather your ingredients.

Ingredients

For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to.

Ingredients labeled on a white surface - raw meat, veggies, herbs and spices

To make this Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup, you will need the following:

  • chicken breasts
  • olive oil or cooking spray
  • canned black beans
  • canned diced tomatoes
  • corn
  • chicken broth/ stock
  • garlic
  • chili powder
  • cumin
  • paprika
  • ground coriander
  • salt and pepper
  • lime juice
  • cilantro

How to make Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup

This is one of those throw-it-all-in-and-press-a-button recipes that is totally hands off. My favorite kind of recipe!😎👌🏻 Also known as “dump recipes.”

Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, onion and garlic to the pot. Place the chicken breasts on top, and sprinkled the spices on top of that.

Last, add the black beans and corn on top, and do not stir.

Place the lid on, lock it, and cook the mixture on manual high pressure for 5 minutes. (Note: It will take several minutes to build pressure)

Let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes (do not use the quick lever for 10 minutes). Then quick release the rest, using the release lever.

When the pot has depressurized, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks.

two hands shredding cooked chicken breasts on a white plate with a green towel underneath

Keep shredding until you break down all bits of the chicken. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

shredded chicken breast on white plate with two forks, used to make Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup

Return the chicken to the pot, and add lime juice and cilantro for additional flavor.

A cook time note about those chicken breasts: You may need to adjust cook time if the size of your chicken breasts is significantly bigger or smaller than the ones I used. Mine were around 7 to 8 ounces each, FYI.

I have not tested this recipe with frozen chicken breasts. But if I do, I will come back and update this!

Toppings

Top Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup with whatever sounds good! Toppings really make it outstanding, in my humble opinion. Options:

  • tortilla chips or tortilla strips
  • diced avocado
  • shredded cheese
  • sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • guacamole

How to sub chicken thighs in this recipe

My preferred cut of chicken for the Instant Pot is usually the chicken thigh. Why? Because it is least likely to dry out.

But! I wanted to do a chicken breast recipe for y’all because so many of y’all have been asking about recipe adaptions for chicken breasts. So this fits the bill.🙌🏻 And it turned out great, y’all! The chicken was so tender and juicy.

Instant pot chicken tortilla soup in white bowl with spoon

That being said, you can make this Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup recipe as written with chicken breasts. Or you can opt to make it with chicken thighs instead, if you just adjust the cooking time to about 13 minutes.

Quick release for fresh chicken thighs, or add ten minutes of natural release for frozen thighs. (Note: you will have to separate out the individual thighs because one big block of thighs will not cook all the way).

Tools used to make Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup

This post may contain affiliate links, which pay a referral fee to me at no additional cost to you. My full affiliate disclosure can be seen here.

  • Instant Pot
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Storing leftovers

Store in an airtight container. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days, and in the freezer for up to three months.

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Give this recipe a star rating if you try it! If it looks good to you, please pin it and share it. And don’t forget to stay connected on social media!

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Instant pot chicken tortilla soup in white bowl with spoon
5 from 54 votes
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Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Instant Pot

Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup is a delicious, quick and easy dinner that you can throw together in less than thirty minutes.
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword chicken tortilla soup, instant pot
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 197 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 5 cups chicken stock or broth (or 5 cups water + 1.5 Tablespoon Better Than Bullion chicken base)
  • 14.5 ounces (1 can) diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon coriander (ground)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 14.5 ounces (1 can) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups frozen corn kernels
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
  • Optional toppings: tortilla chips, diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream or guacamole. (not included in nutritional info)

Instructions

  1. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, onion and garlic to the pot. 

  2. Place the chicken breasts on top, and sprinkled the spices on top of that.

  3. Last, add the black beans and corn on top, and do not stir.

  4. Place the lid on, lock it, and cook the mixture on manual high pressure for 5 minutes. (Note: It will take several minutes to build pressure)

  5. Let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes (do not use the quick lever for 10 minutes). Then quick release the rest, using the release lever.

  6. When the pot has depressurized, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks.

  7. Return the chicken to the pot, and add lime juice and ciliantro for additional flavor.

  8. Top with whatever sounds good! Options: tortilla chips, diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream or guacamole.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Cook time includes time to come up to pressure.

Note about those chicken breasts: You may need to adjust cook time if the size of your chicken breasts is significantly bigger or smaller than the ones I used. Mine were around 7 ounces each, FYI.

Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.

Original recipe is written for chicken breasts. But! If you prefer chicken thighs, you can follow the same recipe, and just increase the cook time to 13 minute with quick release.

You may need to adjust cook time if the size of your chicken breasts is significantly bigger or smaller than the ones I used. Mine were around 7 to 8 ounces each, FYI. I have not tested this recipe with frozen chicken breasts. But if I do, I will come back and update this!

Nutrition Facts
Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Instant Pot
Amount Per Serving
Calories 197 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Cholesterol 54mg18%
Sodium 463mg20%
Potassium 676mg19%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 23g46%
Vitamin A 415IU8%
Vitamin C 10.1mg12%
Calcium 57mg6%
Iron 2.5mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Note: This post originally appeared on A Pinch of healthy November 28, 2o16. The post has been refreshed with updated photos and a video. Here is an original photo, in case you are curious.

Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl, on a plate with chips and spoons
(Visited 817,039 times, 19 visits today)

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Comments

  1. Diane Lloyd says

    May 21, 2017 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    Made this tonight -amazing! I didn’t have coriander so I left it out. My chicken breasts were a little over 8oz so I moved it up to 8 minutes.
    I think it’s the best instant pot recipe we have tried so far.

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      May 21, 2017 at 8:33 pm

      Yaaay! 👏🏻 SO happy to hear that Diane. Thank you for taking the time to leave that feedback. 💖

      Reply
  2. Carissa says

    May 11, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    This looks delicious! How would I make this if I was using frozen chicken?

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      May 16, 2017 at 9:13 am

      Your chicken breasts would need to be un-frozen enough to split up into individual breasts, not one frozen block. I have heard others say that it should be the same cook time, with the rationale that it will take it longer to come to pressure. Makes sense, but I would add an extra minute or 2 to cook time, just to be sure. And it never hurts to use a meat thermomoter to make sure. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  3. beatnik says

    April 9, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    Is there a way to do this with a slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      April 9, 2017 at 9:01 pm

      There sure is, and here is the slow cooker recipe: http://www.apinchofhealthy.com/chicken-tortilla-soup-in-the-slow-cooker/ Enjoy! 💖👍🏻

      Reply
  4. LeeH says

    March 7, 2017 at 7:01 am

    I notice you call for a can of black beans. How come you didn’t cook black beans from dry in the Instant Pot?

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      March 7, 2017 at 9:56 am

      Great question! This is meant to be a quick and easy recipe. Dry beans would take about 40 minutes + NPR to cook, plus I would have to interrupt cooking to add the chicken. I was going for an easy weeknight type dinner.

      Reply
      • Phyllis Morton says

        January 8, 2018 at 6:55 pm

        I cubed the chicken breast and added the beans after pressure was released. Delish.

        Reply
        • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

          January 9, 2018 at 2:56 pm

          Yay! SO glad you enjoyed it Phyllis.👍🏻

          Reply
  5. Lizzy Clarke says

    February 18, 2017 at 1:30 pm

    How would I cook it , if I wanted to use dried black beans?
    I try to avoid canned beans as much as I can.

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      February 18, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      Hmmmm, I have not tried this so I cannot guarantee results. But if I had to guess, I would say add everything (plus some extra stock since the beans will absorb – not exactly sure how much…maybe an extra 2 cups?) except the chicken and corn, and cook about 40 minutes. Then quick release pressure, add the chicken and corn, and cook another 5 minutes. If you do try it, let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  6. Dede Lent says

    February 17, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    5 stars
    I made this the other night, and it was awesome! I think this is my favorite soup ever. I usually won’t touch leftovers, but this has been my lunch for the last three days. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      February 18, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      That is awesome Dede! Thanks for letting me know. Funny, I am making this for our dinner tonight. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Scott says

    January 19, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    The cooking time of 11 min for chicken thighs, is that boneless/skinless or bone-in?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      January 19, 2017 at 4:48 pm

      Hey Scott! It’s actually 13 minutes. And to answer your question: boneless, skinless thighs. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  8. Terri says

    January 19, 2017 at 11:30 am

    Just choose Manual, push Adjust, and go up to 12 minutes and you’re all set! 🙂 Join almost 350,000 IP users on Facebook! There’s always lots of questions, answers, recipes–love it there! http://www.facebook.com/groups/InstantPotCommunity

    Reply
  9. Terri says

    January 18, 2017 at 11:18 pm

    5 stars
    This was so delicious!!! Thanks for this recipe! It may be our favorite IP recipe so far! Husband, son, and I all raved and couldn’t get enough! Chips and avocado is a must! 😀

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      January 19, 2017 at 6:56 am

      I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed it! Looks delicious. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Tracey South says

    January 9, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    I can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
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I am a home cook, recipe developer, coffee drinker and mom of two. My recipes are simple and tasty. I enjoy lots of fresh, healthy food, plus full treats without guilt. Thanks so much for stopping by! Read more here.

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Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup