This hearty chicken taco soup is loaded with beans, corn, and tomatoes, finished with melty cheese and creamy avocado. Made in the Instant Pot, it comes together quickly with minimal effort—perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or a casual weekend. Serve alongside enchiladas, tacos, or Mexican street corn for a full fiesta.
When I think of soups I usually picture a long simmer on the stove, but the Instant Pot changes everything. This chicken taco soup is ready in under an hour with almost no hands-on time: add the ingredients, lock the lid, and let the pot do the work. The result is a satisfying, flavorful soup that’s both comforting and convenient.
The base is chunky and filling thanks to beans, corn, and tangy diced tomatoes. I like to finish each bowl with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and sliced avocado for richness and texture. It’s a crowd-pleaser at family dinners and celebrations like Cinco de Mayo.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used here, but shredded rotisserie chicken or browned ground beef work well as alternatives.
- Chicken Broth: Choose reduced-sodium broth if possible to avoid an overly salty soup.
- Beans: Drain and rinse canned beans in a colander to remove the canning liquid and reduce sodium.
- Corn: Fresh, frozen, or drained canned corn all work—use what you have on hand.
- Taco Seasoning: Use a store-bought mix or a simple homemade blend to control the spices.
Tips
- Seal correctly: Slide the Instant Pot lid from right to left until it locks in place.
- Steam is normal: Small releases of steam while the pot comes up to pressure are expected.
- Factor in pressurizing time: Cook time begins once the pot reaches pressure, so allow extra time when planning.
- Manual release on soup mode: Releasing pressure manually can take longer with a large volume of liquid because more steam must escape.
- Wooden spoon hack: Use a wooden spoon to turn the pressure release knob to avoid touching hot metal.
Yes. Cook on high for 4–5 hours or on low for 7–8 hours.
Our Favorite Soups
Corn Chowder With Crab
Turkey Chili
Chicken and Dumplings With Rotisserie Chicken
Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Guinness Beef Stew
Buffalo Chicken Soup
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
Ingredients
- 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 Onion Diced
- 1 15 Ounce Can Chicken Broth
- 1 15 Ounce Can Kidney Beans
- 1 15 Ounce Can Black Beans
- 1 15 Ounce Can Corn
- 1 15 Ounce Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 8 Ounce Can Tomato Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Dry Ranch Seasoning
- Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese, Diced Tomatoes, Sliced Avocado For Garnish
Instructions
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Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.
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Add the diced onion, chicken broth, kidney beans, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, and dry ranch seasoning. Stir briefly to combine.
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Seal the Instant Pot and cook on Soup mode for 30 minutes. When done, release the pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Remove the chicken and shred it, then return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
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Ladle into bowls and top with sour cream, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and sliced avocado if desired.
Notes
- Chicken: Rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken can be used to save time.
- Broth: Reduced-sodium chicken broth helps control the soup’s saltiness.
- Beans: Rinse canned beans well to remove excess sodium and canning liquid.
- Corn: Substitute fresh or frozen corn for canned if preferred.
- Seasoning: Adjust taco and ranch seasoning amounts to taste.
Crock Pot Version
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high for 4–5 hours or on low for 7–8 hours.
- Seal correctly: Ensure the Instant Pot lid is locked before cooking.
- Steam is normal: Expect some steam as the pot builds pressure.
- Allow extra time: Pressure-building time varies and should be included in your planning.
- Manual release: Releasing pressure on large volumes of liquid takes longer than for smaller amounts.
- Wooden spoon hack: Use a wooden spoon to move the release valve gently if needed.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 5 g
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Protein: 8 g
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Fat: 1 g
