Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Instant Pot Friendly Minimalist Baker

With just 1 pot required, this soup comes together in no time but is incredibly flavorful, not to mention satisfying and nourishing! Let’s make soup!

Origin of Tortilla Soup

Tortilla soup (also known as sopa azteca) is believed to have originated in or near Mexico City. Traditionally, it’s made with chicken broth, roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, chiles, and tortillas. The following is our simplified version made with easy-to-access ingredients, a boost of greens, and tortilla chips for ease. For a more traditional version of sopa azteca, check out this recipe from La Piña en La Cocina.

How to Make Chicken Tortilla Soup

This 1-pot chicken tortilla soup recipe can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, but the Instant Pot is our preferred method because it makes the chicken especially tender. Either way, it begins with a savory base of sautéd onion and garlic, plus cumin, chili powder, and oregano. Then we add canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes for ease, chicken breasts for protein, and black beans for a hearty fiber boost. Canned chipotle peppers make this soup spicy and the adobo sauce they come in provides all that smoky flavor without any fuss. Chicken broth provides the liquid to make it soupy and salt enhances all the flavors. After cooking the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, they become perfectly tender and easy to shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks. If using the stovetop method, just make sure not to boil too vigorously or it can cause the chicken to become tough. Finish it off by stirring in some chopped greens (we like kale!) and adding the shredded chicken back in. A squeeze of lime adds just the right amount of brightness. Garnish with tortilla chips and avocado (and optional radish and cilantro). And just like that, dinner is served! We hope you LOVE this chicken tortilla soup! It’s:SmokySpicyBrothyComfortingEasy to make& Perfect for cooler weather! We love this as an easy weeknight or make-ahead meal, and it also freezes well!

What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Soup

While plenty filling to be a meal on its own, this chicken tortilla soup would be delicious paired with our Crunchy Jicama Slaw or Chickpea Chopped Kale Salad with Adobo Dressing. If you’re looking for an appetizer, try serving it with our Baked Plantain Chips & Garlicky Guacamole or Southwest Sweet Potato Black Bean Dip. And for dessert? Try our Apple Butter Tamales or Easy Vegan Flan (No-Bake!)! Hungry yet? We are!