Instant Pot Chicken Salsa Queso Soup
Pressure-cooked chicken thighs in a spiced salsa and chicken broth base enriched with cream cheese and jack cheese. Low-carb Mexican-inspired soup finished with crumbled queso fresco and fresh cilantro. Made in the Instant Pot for weeknight convenience.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 ⅓ cup red salsagreen salsa1:1ingredient swap
changes flavor profile
- 3 cup chicken broth
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground chipotle powder
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
- ½ cup jack cheesecheddar1:1dairy
similar melting properties
- ¼ cup queso fresco, crumbled
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add chicken broth, salsa, sea salt, garlic powder, chipotle powder, black pepper, coriander, cumin, and parsley to the Instant Pot inner pot and stir to combine
- 2
Add chicken thighs to the pot, cover and lock the lid, flip steam release handle to Sealing position
- 3
Select Pressure Cook on High and set timer to 20 minutes
- 4
After cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure
- 5
Transfer chicken thighs to a cutting board and shred with two forks, return to pot and stir
- 6
Select Saute mode and bring soup to a boil, add cream cheese cubes and stir continuously until melted
- 7
Press cancel to turn off heat, add jack cheese and stir until melted
- 8
Serve in bowls and top with crumbled queso fresco and cilantro
Tips
Tiny unmelted pieces of cream cheese are normal and acceptable
Use a slotted spoon to remove chicken while keeping broth in pot for easier shredding
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months.
Prepare through shredding chicken step, refrigerate overnight, reheat and add cheeses before serving.
Serve hot in bowls with queso fresco and cilantro garnish.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip natural pressure release to avoid tough, stringy chicken
Stir cream cheese continuously to avoid lumps in soup
Do not use pre-shredded cheese as it contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
changes flavor profile