Dive into a bowl of comfort with our Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Orzo Soup—a dish that promises to warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds! This delightful Mexican-inspired recipe combines tender chicken, zesty green chiles, and hearty orzo pasta, all simmered to perfection in just 35 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend meal, this soup is not only quick to prepare but also bursting with flavor. Ready to impress your family and friends? Let’s get cooking!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 can green chiles
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by dicing chicken breast into 1/2-inch cubes, finely chopping onion, and mincing garlic cloves.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add a small amount of oil. Sauté chopped onions until translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add diced chicken breast to the pot, stirring to brown on all sides for about 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle cumin, salt, and pepper over the chicken, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Pour in chicken broth and canned green chiles, stirring to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Add orzo pasta to the liquid, ensuring it's submerged and not sitting on top of chicken.
- Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing position, and select Manual/Pressure Cook mode for 6 minutes at high pressure.
- Once cooking cycle completes, perform a quick release of pressure to prevent overcooking pasta.
- Open lid and stir soup, allowing it to rest for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, chop your onion and garlic in advance, and dice the chicken breast before you start cooking. This will make the cooking process smoother and quicker!
- Sauté for Flavor: Don’t skip the sautéing step! Browning the chicken and softening the onions and garlic enhances the overall flavor of the soup.
- Season Well: Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Feel free to add more cumin or even a pinch of chili powder for an extra kick!
- Don’t Overcook the Orzo: Be mindful of the cooking time for the orzo. Performing a quick release after the pressure cooking ensures it remains perfectly al dente.
- Garnish for Freshness: Top your soup with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice just before serving to elevate the flavors and add a refreshing touch.
- Storage Tips: This soup stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if it thickens too much.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 75mg
