• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • RECIPES
    • Appetizers
    • Soups & Salads
    • Breakfast
    • Main Course
    • Instant Pot
    • Sous Vide
    • Side Dishes
    • Baking & Pastry
    • Dessert
  • COLLECTIONS
  • VIDEOS
  • ABOUT US
  • NEWSLETTER
Butter N Thyme
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
    • Appetizers
    • Soups & Salads
    • Breakfast
    • Main Course
    • Instant Pot
    • Sous Vide
    • Side Dishes
    • Baking & Pastry
    • Dessert
  • COLLECTIONS
  • VIDEOS
  • ABOUT US
  • NEWSLETTER
search icon
Homepage link
  • RECIPES
    • Appetizers
    • Soups & Salads
    • Breakfast
    • Main Course
    • Instant Pot
    • Sous Vide
    • Side Dishes
    • Baking & Pastry
    • Dessert
  • COLLECTIONS
  • VIDEOS
  • ABOUT US
  • NEWSLETTER
×

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Published: Feb 23, 2019 · Modified: Feb 10, 2021 by Steven Pennington · This post may contain affiliate links.

Share On Your Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Chicken Tortilla Soup comes from the South American city of Mexico City; a population of over 20 million. The exact origin of this South American comfort soup is unknown, but well documented originating in Mexico. The Mexican culture is full of amazing food, so bright, vibrant, organic, and healthy. The cooking techniques in South America is something worth studying. Culinary techniques spanning 1000’s years. One thing here in American food culture is we do not understand South American food very well. Most Americans understand Mexican food as what is honestly called Tex-Mex, not Mexican food.

Instant pot chicken tortilla soup

What’s the Difference Between Tex-Mex and Mexican Food?

https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/05/draft-tex-mex-and-mexican.html

What makes this wonderful recipe you’ve found so special is the heart of the dish is what is truly called “Artisan”.

Definition of artisan

The soup is enriched by the use of fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and dried chiles. The special part of Chicken Tortilla Soup is the tortillas, which are usually used as a crunchy topping.

WATCH Our How-To Video:

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

https://youtu.be/-jswinhhhP0

Ok, no problem, we all know that about the tortillas, but did you know we can use them to thicken the soup? The corn tortillas cook in the soup base offering an even deep flavor profile, working as a thickening agent to create a perfect instant pot chicken tortilla soup.

Vegetables for chicken tortilla soup

Traditional Ingredients Used In Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

  • Vine Ripe Tomatoes
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Dried Chiles – ex: Guajillo – Ancho

 New Additions

  • Red Bell Pepper
  • Orange Bell Pepper
  • Poblano Pepper

About The Ingredients In Artisan Chicken Tortilla Soup

Our next artisan technique that helps make this soup so good is the way we prepare the vegetables. Traditionally tomatoes, onions, garlic, and dry chiles get charred. This brings the smoky notes to the soup and a secret flavor weapon. Few things to consider.

  1. The tomatoes and onions actually get charred, blacken, almost burnt. #traditional
  2. The garlic can be tricky because it burns easily. With the garlic, be sure to keep each garlic clove inside its own paper wrapper. This helps it not burn. The garlic will become bitter if it gets too close to burnt. I elect to skip this step due to how easy it is to burn the garlic. I think it helps with a consistent Chicken Tortilla Soup over time.
  3. The key to charring the vegetables is using a cast-iron skillet. If you want to you could place a piece of aluminum foil in the cast iron skillet for easy cleaning afterward. With our recipe, we take things up a notch by adding more vegetables.
Tomatoes

Homemade tomato sauce

The ingredient worth our time. Choosing the right tomato or tomatoes for Chicken Tortilla soup is very important in my opinion. The tomatoes will be charred to create a deep depth of flavor to the soup.

Types of Tomatoes to shop for:

  • Vine Ripened Tomatoes
  • Greenhouse Tomatoes
  • San Marzano Tomatoes (Not Traditional, but they are the very best tomatoes in the world) (Read about San Marzano tomatoes here)
  • Please do NOT use Roma – Might surprise some of you to read that, but they are never the most flavorful tomatoes. Quite the opposite. They have their place in the culinary world, just not a good fit for this soup.
Onions: Two Choices - Which One To Choose?

Vidalia onions for instant pot chicken tortilla soup. Spanish onion from georgia

Vidalia Onions

  • Spanish onion
  • Has a sweeter flavor profile
  • Not Onion flavor-forward
  • Also known as Sweet onions

Yellow Onions

  • Classic onion we find at the grocery store.
  • Has a strong onion forward flavor profile
  • Can make you cry, lol
  • My selection for Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Reason — We want the onion flavor to be present.
Guajillo Chiles

Guajillo-chiles

Guajillo Chiles

  • (nee, chile guajillo in Spanish) (meaning ‘big pod’) is the dried form of mirasol chili
  • heat (rating 2,500 to 5,000 on the Scoville scale) is considered mild to medium
  • Packed with flavor
  • Works great in Salsa
Ancho Chiles

Ancho-pasilla-chili-peppers

Ancho Chiles

  • Dried Poblano Pepper
  • Overall not very hot pepper. Has a sweet flavor and aroma
  • A great addition to salsa
  • Puree nicely when ground into a paste

The Step by Step Instructions For Making Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Instructions step by stepMaking The Chicken Tortilla Soup "Base"  & Cooking The Chicken

Artisan chicken tortilla soup - instant pot & slow cooker

Going to be covering two ways of making Chicken Tortilla Soup

  1. Instant Pot Method
  2. Slow Cooker Method

First, place the cold chicken into a bowl of warm water in the sink for about 7 minutes to help take the chill off the chicken. This helps with even cooking. If you’re going to use the slow cooker you can skip this step. The reason is the long cooking time.

Be sure to rinse the chicken off before placing it into the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker/Crockpot.

Never cook chicken without rinsing it off first.

Cut 1 large Onion into quarters. Cut 2 large carrot into 4 to 5 pieces ( No need to peel first ) Cut 3 stalks of celery into pieces. Place the chicken into the Instant Pot / Slow Cooker / Crockpot along with all the vegetables. Add 1 large teaspoon of sea salt, plus 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.

Making chicken broth & cooking the chicken 

Instant Pot Set the Instant Pot to Soup/Broth (Pressure cooker setting) Place on “Normal’ pressure and timer for 40 minutes. Be sure the top lid release valve is set to sealing. Slow Cooker / Crockpot The advantage of the slow cooker is you can set the timer and forget about it for hours.

Next, add the water, at least 8 cups. Add tomato paste and mix it in very well. Place the chicken in the middle of the slow cooker, add the vegetables plus one large teaspoon of Sea Salt. (Table salt = ¾ teaspoon) Cook on high for the first hour then turn down to low and cook until the chicken breast internal temperature reaches 158. Then remove the chicken and shred the chicken into bite-size pieces.

Making The Chicken Tortilla Soup “Base”

  • Slice and clean onion large yellow onion
  • Slice and remove the rib from one orange or red bell pepper
  • Slice and remove the stem and devein one medium to large tomato.
  • Two dried chiles – Guajillo & Ancho chiles – Remove all seeds and stem
Vegetables for the chicken tortilla soup baseNext, we are going to charr the vegetables and chiles. I like using a Cart Iron skillet for this process. Cast Iron skillets hold the heat extremely well and help with even cooking. Won’t have a hot spot versus a cooler spot.

Guajillo-chiles

The level of charr is up to you. The more you charr the vegetables and chiles the deeper the flavor profile. Traditionally they are charred more than the level I chose. I think medium charr is the sweet spot. Which would be a little bit more charr than in the photo below.  The next step is to add the vegetables and chiles to a blender or food processor and blend until very smooth.

Optional: Corn tortillas can be used as a thickening agent. Take a few tortillas and wet them. Could use chicken broth or water. The idea is to soften them for the blender. Soak for about 90 seconds. Add them to the blender to get new and smooth.

Charred vegetables for chicken tortilla soupLook at that “Base” Our Chicken Tortilla Soup is going to be beautiful and full of flavor.  So healthy and bright and vibrant.

The base for chicken tortilla soup in a blender smoothAt this point, the chicken is done. Remove the chicken, strain the broth/stock. Then shred the chicken while it is still hot. Once shredded add a little bit of the cooking liquid back into the shredded chicken. It helps keep the chicken nice and moist.

Shredded chicken for chicken tortilla soup
Then add the “Base” back into your cooker with the chicken broth/stock. We need to cut up a few vegetables.  Cut up one large onion, one red bell pepper, one orange bell pepper, and one poblano pepper.  The cut is up to you.
Think about the finished dish and how the pieces will feel in your guest’s mouth.  The peppers will be getting cooked in the cooker along with the base and broth/stock. They will soften and add an additional layer of flavor, plus it's a nice texture in the soup.Sliced onions bell peppers for the chicken tortilla soup

We now have the “Base”, the chicken broth/stock, and sliced vegetable ready. Add all of them into your cooker plus some fresh cilantro and the juice of one lime. #freshnessSettings:

  • For Instant Pot, set to Broth/Soup, on normal pressure and the timer for 10 to 15 minutes. Longer cook time softens more.
  • For the crockpot about an additional 30 minutes. You don’t want to go any longer than this or the vegetable will become too soft.

Plating

Using a ladle add some of the chicken broth/stock to a bowl. Then add the shredded chicken in the middle. Be sure to add a good bit as you want your eaters to see the chicken in an abundance. You could add anything your heart desires now. I kept it a bit Tex-Mex and added black beans, corn, favorite cheese ( I used sharp Cheddar), the crunchy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

The Crunchy Tortilla Strips

Slice corn tortillas into strips for garnish
  • Shallow fry them in a little bit of oil on the stovetop
  • Or bake them in a 325 oven for about 10 minutes (Healthier Verison) (Be sure to check on them while they cook) add a small amount of oil to help them crisp up. About 2 to 3 teaspoons.
Adding oil to the corn tortillas to help crisp them up in the oven

📖 Recipe Card

Artisan chicken tortilla soup

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Steven Pennington
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Instant Pot / Slow Cooker
Servings 8 people

Suggested Equipment

Instant Pot
Slow Cooker
Temperature proof water tub/bath

Ingredients
  

Making the Broth & Cooking The Chicken Ingredients

  • 1 Organic Chicken / 4 to 6 pound
  • 1 large Yellow Onion
  • 2 Carrots
  • 3 stalks Celery
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
  • 1.5 teaspoon Sea Salt / I used Himalayan Sea Salt

The Soup Base

  • 1 large Vine Ripe Tomato / Sliced In Half & Cored
  • 1 Orange Bell Pepper / Sliced In Half & Rib Removed
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper / Sliced In Half & Rib Removed
  • 1 Poblano Pepper / Sliced In Half & Rib Removed
  • 1 Ancho Chile Pepper / Seeds Removed
  • 1 Guajillo Pepper / Seeds Removed

Vegetables In Soup

  • 1 Red Bell Pepper / Quartered & Rib Removed
  • 1 Orange Bell Pepper / Quartered & Rib Removed
  • 1 Poblano Pepper / Halved & Rib Removed
  • 1 Large Vidalia Onion / Sliced (Julianne) Cut Lengthwise

Finishing Options

  • 1 can Black Beans / Rinsed & Drained
  • 1 can Sweet Corn / Rinsed & Drained
  • Favorite Cheese
  • Green Onion / Sliced @ 45 degrees
  • Cilantro
  • Crispy Corn Tortilla Strips
  • 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic / Optional

Instructions
 

Prep The Chicken

  • Rinse the chicken off under warm water. 
    Using the (Instant Pot) leave the chicken in a bowl with warm water for about 7 to 10 minutes to remove the chill. 
    Slow Cooker = No need to remove the chill from the chicken

Cooking The Chicken & Making The Broth - Instant Pot Method

  • Place the whole chicken into the middle of the Instant Pot or your Slow Cooker / Crockpot
    Slice the onion into 8 pieces ( Cut in half, then cut those pieces in half, then one more time. The creates more surface area to extract flavor from.
    Carrots - No need to peel - Chop 
    Celery - Chop into pieces
    2 Tablespoons of Tomato Paste
    1.5 Teaspoons of Sea Salt
    (Optional - 2 Bay Leaves )
  • Instant Pot Settings 
    -Broth/Soup Setting (Pressure Cooker) - Pressure on "Normal" the middle setting.
    -Time 40 Minutes
    The chicken will be fall-apart goodness. You could just take the recipe to this point and have a wonderfully cooked chicken. Remember the Instant Pot takes a little time to pressurize before the timer begins to count down.
    Instant pot cooking timer settings for chicken tortilla soup

Slow Cooker / Crock Pot

  • If you have the time. Set the heat to high for the first 30-to-45 minutes if you would like to cut down on the cooking time. Otherwise, use the low setting.  The beauty of the slow cooker is you can set it and pretty much forget it. 
    Cooking Time Range: Cook on low 4-6 hours
  • Both Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Method - Remove the chicken - 
    Strain the broth and add it back into your cooker. Look At That Color!!!
    Strained chicken tortilla soup broth
  • Shred the chicken while it's hot, then add a little bit of the broth back on top of the shredded chicken to help keep it moist.
    Shredded chicken for chicken tortilla soup

Making The Base

  • Traditionally Tomatoes, Garlic & Dried Peppers get charred then blended together. 
    Using Cast Iron is the key to getting nice charr.
    Slice one tomato in half and remove the stem - place face down in the skillet
    Slice one red bell pepper and one orange bell pepper in half and remove the stem and rib. ( The white stuff is bitter ) Add to skillet
    Add one Dried Ancho & one Guajillo Pepper
    I do not use garlic due to how easy it can burn. That would create a bitter flavor running throughout the entire dish. I simply skip this step for a more consistent product. 
  • Once charred, add the dried peppers to a glass full of water and microwave for 3 minutes. This will soften the dried peppers so they will blend together nicely in our base.
  •  Blend all charred ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth, then add it to the chicken broth in your cooker.

Vegetables Preparation

  • Onion, red & orange bell pepper, plus one poblano pepper.
    Slice into whichever shape you like. I demo this in the video below.
    Add into your cooker

Finishing - Instant Pot

  • Place the cover back on securely. Make sure the vent is on sealing.
    Set to broth/soup ( Pressure Cooker) Normal pressure ( middle option)
    Set timer for 15 minutes. 

Finishing - Slow Cooker

  • Broth + Base + Sliced Vegetables - all in the slow cooker. Cook until the vegetable has softened.
    Why not add all of the vegetables into the broth in the first place?
    Answer: We are building a depth of flavor.  Otherwise, the soup feels one-note.

Plating

  • Add the broth to a bowl, then add the shredded chicken to the middle. Use enough to show off the chicken. Add corn, black beans, cilantro, cheese, tortillas, and finished with a squeeze of lime. 

Video

Keyword Artisan Chicken Tortilla Soup Instant Pot and Slow Cooker / Crock Pot, Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Try This Recipe, You'll Love It. Pin it!Mention @ButterNThyme or tag #butternthyme!

More Instant Pot Recipes

  • Instant pot hard boiled eggs
    Hard Boiled Eggs In Instant Pot: Easy Peel
  • Chili con queso recipe
    Best Chile Con Queso | Southwest Classic
  • Instant pot traditional texas chili
    The Perfect Instant Pot Chili Recipe
  • Instant pot chicken breast
    Instant Pot Chicken Breast: Quick and Easy

Share On Your Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

butter n thyme

Welcome To Butter N Thyme

Chef Steven Pennington

Hello, I'm Chef Pennington, creator of Butter N Thyme

I'm glad you found us

If you're a beginner or seeking to enhance your culinary skills with more advanced culinary techniques and recipes, we have everything your kitchen requires.

Our passionate chefs are on a mission to help anyone learn how to cook with confidence.

Weekly Updates

➡️ Weekly Update Email ➡️Weekend Entertaining Menu Ideas

Trending Posts

  • Passion fruits
    Passion Fruit: Defined, Images, Benefits, Uses, and Warnings
  • Pixie tangerines - mandarin orange
    Pixie Tangerines 🍊 A Comprehensive Guide
  • Lychee fruit
    Lychee: An Exotic Fruit Treasure with Rich Origins
  • Picking fruits
    Ultimate Guide to Picking Fruit A-to-Z
  • How to make ricotta cheese
    How To Make Ricotta Cheese 🧀 Ultra-Pasteurized Method
  • Pinto beans vs black beans
    Pinto Beans vs Black Beans | Comprehensive Comparison
  • Red beans and rice with ham hocks
    Authentic Southern Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hocks
  • Adzuki beans
    Adzuki Beans | Use | Benefits | Nutrition
youtube subscribe to our channel

How-To

  • 12 ways to cook eggs
    Ways To Cook Eggs: 12 Methods🍳
  • Cantaloupe growing on the vine.
    How To Grow Cantaloupe 🌱 Step-by-Step
  • National croissant day
    National Croissant Day 🥐 How To Make
  • Southern fried oysters
    Southern Fried Oysters | Works Because It's Simple
  • How to cook with peppers
    How To Cook With Peppers | 6 Ways
  • Chipotle peppers spread out on wooden cutting board
    What Is Chipotle Pepper? (How To Make)
  • Hatch chile 2
    Hatch Chile | Seasons | Uses | Recipes
  • Ripening bananas
    How To Ripen Bananas

Footer

Butter N Thyme youtube channel

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates
Newsletter Signup

Home

Social

Recipes

About

Videos

Contact

↑ back to top

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Butter N Thyme