Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

 

The picture from the original blog

My version tonight

• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 5 garlic cloves, rough chopped (or sub 1–2 tablespoons granulated garlic)
• 1–2 cups carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 x 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, and juices ( preferably fire roasted) or 1 ½ cups diced tomatoes w/juices
• 1  small 4-ounce can, mild green chilis (or sub 1 poblano chili, diced)
• 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, fresh or frozen) left whole (or breasts -see cooking notes)
• 1 cup dry black beans or sub 1-2 cans black beans, or sub corn-see notes (do not use dry beans with chicken breast as breasts will overcook.)
• 4 cups chicken stock or broth (or water with 4 chicken bouillon cubes)
• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt, more to taste
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• juice from 1–2 limes
• optional: for a smoky heat, add a little chipotle (either the adobo sauce from canned chipotles, or a little ground chipotle powder to taste. )

Garnish with any or all of the following:  tortilla strips, grated cheese, sour cream, avocado, hot sauce,  cilantro, fresh jalapeño, scallions

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Instructions

1. Set the Instant pot to the Saute function. Saute onions in the oil for 3-4 minutes while you prep the garlic, carrots and celery. Add them to the pot, and saute 3-4 minutes. (If using granulated garlic, add later with the spices)
2. Add the diced tomato and their juices, green chiles, chicken thighs (whole), dry black beans ( or canned, drained), chicken stock, water, salt and all the spices.  Give a good stir, and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high. If using dry black beans, pressure cook 25 minutes. If using canned black beans, pressure cook for 14 minutes (same for either fresh or frozen thighs).
3. Manually let the pressure out, covering steam with a kitchen towel. (Or feel free to let the pressure release naturally.) I put my Instant Pot under my stove hood and turn on the exhaust vent (stove is not on) when I release the pressure.
4. Shred chicken thighs with two forks (either right in the pot, or on a cutting board). The soup will thicken. (At this point you could add corn, and return to sauté setting for a few minutes.) Squeeze with a generous amount of lime juice and taste for salt, adding more if necessary- especially if you used dry beans, you will need to add more. You want a good balance between lime and salt. ( If the soup tastes bland, it probably needs more of each.)
5. Divide among bowls and top with tortilla strips, cheese, sour cream, scallions or avocado and cilantro. Add hot sauce for added heat.
6. Enjoy!

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Notes

For a more brothy soup, use only 1 can of beans vs. two. ( I prefer this brothy.)

Blackbeans: If your dry blackbeans are very old, I would recommend soaking first or extending the pressure cooking time to 30 minutes.

CHICKEN BREASTS If using whole chicken breasts, cook 8-12 minutes and do not use dry beans (you will overcook the breasts). 8 minutes for smaller breasts or 12 for thicker breasts.

The toppings really add to the soup. Use them!

For the tastiest tortilla chips, spray strips of fresh tortillas with olive oil spray and a sprinkle of salt, and bake in a 300 F oven until crisp.

STOVE TOP:  Use a big pot or dutch oven–  follow the same directions, sautéing over medium heat, then simmering covered until chicken thighs are cooked through and easily shreddable, and beans are tender, about 40 minutes. Soaking the beans first shortens this time!

For a bean-free version you could swap out 3 cups corn for the beans ( Trader Joes, frozen fire-roasted corn is great) adding it to the soup after you release the pressure.

For slow cooker version, cook as stated above then cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours.

If doubling the recipe, this will not fit in a 6 quart Instant Pot.  I recommend making in a big pot on the stove.

https://www.feastingathome.com/instant-pot-chicken-tortilla-soup/

This was a quick toss-together and run out the door so we could come home to cooked dinner meal tonight.  I had a couple big chicken breasts to do something with.  There were chopped onions, celery, and lime juice cubes in the freezer.  Sadly I didn't have any black beans in the freezer so I used canned.  I don't always like how dry beans cook in a pressure cooker, still working on that skill.  I oven fried some fresh corn tortilla strips, added sour cream (of course), but the avocados weren't ripe enough to use.  I debated on using the Hatch Chili Salsa I love and get from Costco, but had some expired canned chilis to use, so did but then used the Hatch Chili Salsa to spice up individual bowls, which worked great for those who don't like it as spicy.  I used both a can of black beans and 1/2 bag of frozen corn from Trader Joe's added at the end, the lime juice ice cube and frozen corn helped cool it enough to eat, no need to turn it back on sauté!