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Homemade Chicken Tomatillo Soup photo

Chicken Tomatillo Soup

A bright, comforting chicken and tomatillo soup with tender chicken, cauliflower rice, and cilantro-lime freshness.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 10 oz Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chiles (or similar canned tomatoes) drained
  • 6 medium tomatillos husks removed, washed, chopped to make about 2 cups finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 8 cups chicken stock
  • 1 4 oz diced green chiles (Anaheim) not jalapeños
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp salt or slightly less, to taste
  • fresh-ground pepper to taste
  • 4 cups diced cooked chicken breast
  • 1 pkg frozen cauliflower rice 10–12 oz, broken apart and thawed slightly
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro chopped, more or less to taste
  • 1 T fresh lime juice about 1 tablespoon, add more to taste
  • 2 avocados diced, for serving (optional)
  • fresh lime pieces for squeezing at the table (optional)

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
  • Colander
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Measuring cup or bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Place the Ro-Tel can in a colander to drain while you prepare the vegetables.
  2. Remove husks from the tomatillos, rinse if needed, trim the stem ends, and chop into small pieces to yield about 2 cups.
  3. Finely chop the onion.
  4. Add the drained tomatoes, chopped tomatillos, chopped onion, chicken stock, diced green chiles, Mexican oregano, ground cumin, salt, and fresh-ground pepper to the Instant Pot.
  5. Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual, low pressure (or use the Soup setting) for 20 minutes.
  6. While the pot comes to pressure and cooks, dice enough cooked chicken to measure 4 cups and break apart the frozen cauliflower rice so it can begin to thaw.
  7. When the 20-minute pressure cook finishes, perform a quick release of the pressure according to your cooker’s instructions.
  8. Stir in the diced cooked chicken and the thawed cauliflower rice. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté at medium heat and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until the soup has reduced slightly and the flavors are combined. Reduce heat if it boils too vigorously.
  9. Chop the cilantro, dice the avocados, and cut lime wedges while the soup simmers.
  10. Add the chopped cilantro and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice to the soup and simmer 2–3 minutes more.
  11. Serve the soup hot with diced avocado and additional lime wedges at the table, if desired.

Notes

  • Use mild Ro-Tel for less heat if desired.
  • Rotisserie chicken is a quick option for cooked chicken.
  • Toss avocado with a little lime juice to slow browning.
  • Adjust salt and lime to taste before serving.