This Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup is the ultimate comfort food for those cold winter days! It’s packed with flavor and guaranteed to warm you up. Made with tender chicken, fresh veggies, savory cream cheese, and delicious spices, you’ll never go back to canned soup again.
Contents
Why You’ll Love Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup
- Packed with flavor. Made with fajita seasonings, fresh veggies, and cream cheese, this soup is packed with delicious flavor giving you the ultimate comfort food.
- Quick and easy. This soup can be whipped up in about 30-minutes using your Instant Pot. It’s the perfect busy weekday meal.
- It’s healthy. This Instant Pot Chicken fajita soup is low carb and tastes amazing.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken: Provides the protein base of the soup and are easy to eat.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing veggies, it helps extract and develop their flavors.
- Onion: Adds a sweet depth of flavor that balances the richness of the cheese and cream.
- Peppers: Green and red peppers add a sweet yet slightly spicy flavor and vibrant color to the soup.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic provides a warm, savory depth of flavor.
- Fajita Seasoning: Adds a blend of spices that gives the soup its characteristic Tex-Mex flavor.
- Broth: Chicken broth forms the liquid base of the soup, adding a savory richness.
- Diced Tomatoes: Contribute a tangy-sweet flavor and a unique texture to the soup.
- Green Chilies: Add a spicy kick and bold flavor to the soup.
- Softened Cream Cheese: Adds a creamy texture and rich, dairy flavor to the soup.
- Shredded Cheese: Melts into the soup, enhancing its cheesy flavor.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Key for creating a rich, creamy texture in the soup.
- Diced Avocado (Optional): Topping on chicken fajita soup enhances flavor and adds a creamy texture.
How To Make Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup In the Instant Pot
Step One: Press sauté on your Instant Pot. Add in your olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up. Then, sauté the chicken and onion for about 5-minutes.
Step Two: After the chicken is browned and the onion is translucent, add in the peppers. Mix and sauté them for about 2 minutes. Hit the cancel button to turn off the sauté mode.
Step Three: Add chicken broth, garlic, fajita seasoning. Mix and deglaze the bottom of the pot by scraping off any debris stuck to it. Next, add in the diced tomatoes, and chiles. Stir everything to mix it well. Pressure cook for 3 minutes then quick release the pressure.
Step Four: Open the Instant Pot by removing the lid. Add in your cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and cream. Mix well until all of your cheese’s have melted. Transfer to your delicious soup bowl and top with any toppings you like, such as sour cream!
Tips And Tricks To Get Tasty Fajita Soup
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Choose fresh vegetables and high-quality chicken for a flavorful soup base.
- Choose the Right Cream: Use heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk for a rich and creamy texture.
- Add Cheese Gradually: If you’re adding cheese, do so gradually while stirring to prevent it from clumping together.
Variations
- Spicy Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup: Add a kick with jalapenos or habaneros, enhancing the flavors of the chicken and bell peppers.
- Vegetarian Instant Pot Creamy Fajita Soup: Swap chicken for hearty beans like black or pinto, keeping the rest of the ingredients the same for a meatless version.
- Cheesy Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup: Stir in some grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese at the end for a decadent, creamy twist.
- Seafood Instant Pot Creamy Fajita Soup: Use shrimp or fish instead of chicken for a seafood take on this flavorful soup.
- Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup with Corn and Black Beans: Add corn kernels and black beans for added texture and a southwestern flair.
Storage Tips To Keep Leftovers Fresh
- Store in Refrigerator: After cooling, transfer the soup into an airtight container. Glass containers are best as they do not absorb odors or stain. Ensure the lid is tightly sealed. The soup can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze Soup: For longer storage, freeze the soup. Pour the cooled soup into freezer safe containers or heavy duty freezer bags. Avoid overfilling as the soup expands when frozen. You can store the soup in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
- Reheat Soup: To reheat refrigerated soup, warm it on the stove over medium heat. For frozen soup, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Stir occasionally for even heating.
What To Serve With Chicken Fajita Soup?
- Tasty Broccoli Salad: A refreshing and crunchy side dish that pairs well with the rich flavors of the Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup.
- Instant Pot Garlic Monkey Bread: This flavorful bread is perfect for dipping into the soup and soaking up all its goodness.
- Breadsticks: Crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside – breadsticks make a great accompaniment to any soup.
- Corn Dogs: Corn dogs are a great side to go with this creamy fajita soup.
FAQ’S
Is Chicken Fajita Soup Spicy?
This soup may be a little spicy if you aren’t used to Mexican spices. However, the soup itself is not considered spicy.
Feel free to adjust the amount of fajita seasoning to suit your taste. You can also add some hot sauce or chopped jalapenos for extra heat.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken for This Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breast. You’ll need to increase the cooking time by 3 minutes.
Can I Use a Slow Cooker Instead of an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can use a slow cooker. However, the cooking time will need to be adjusted. Typically, it would take around 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
What if I Don’t Have Fajita Seasoning?
If you don’t have fajita seasoning, you can make your own by combining chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne.
Can I Use Shredded Chicken in the Soup?
Yes, you can use shredded chicken instead of cubed chicken in soup. In fact, rotisserie chicken is a popular choice for many recipes due to its flavor and convenience. If adding pre-cooked chicken do so once the soup has finished pressure cooking.
Can I Use Taco Seasoning Instead of Fajita Seasoning?
Yes, you can use taco seasoning as a substitute for fajita seasoning, but it may slightly alter the flavor profile of your dish.
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 lbs. Chicken Breast
- 1/2 Onion chopped
- 1 Green Bell Pepper diced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper diced
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 2 tbsp Fajita Seasoning
- 5 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 Can Diced Tomatoes 28 Oz
- 1 Can Green Chilies 4 oz
- 8 oz Cream Cheese softened, cubed
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- ¾ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
Instructions
- Press sauté on your Instant Pot. Add in your olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up. Then, sauté the chicken and onion for about 5 minutes.
- After the chicken is browned and the onion is translucent, add in the peppers. Mix and sauté them for about 2 minutes.
- Hit the cancel button to turn off the sauté mode. Then, add chicken broth, garlic, fajita seasoning. Mix and deglaze the bottom of the pot by scraping off any debris stuck to it.
- Next, add in the diced tomatoes, and chiles. Stir everything to mix it well.
- Close the lid on your Instant Pot, turn the pressure valve to the sealing position, hit pressure cook or manual, and set the time for 15 minutes.
- Once your Instant Pot is done cooking, manually release by bringing the sealing valve toward you.
- Open the Instant Pot by removing the lid. Add in your cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and cream. Mix well until all of your cheese’s have melted.
- Transfer to your delicious soup bowl and top with any toppings you like, such as sour cream! You can keep it as is for a low-carb option or add tortilla chips/strips! This creamy soup is a perfect meal for the whole family.