Go Back
–+ servings
Instant Pot Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Soup – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Instant Pot Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Soup

Craving the irresistible flavor of jalapeño poppers but in a cozy, comforting bowl? This Instant Pot Cheesy Popper Soup is your answer! It's a rich, creamy, and spicy dream, packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a trio of cheeses. Ready in under an hour, it's the perfect
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 serving
Calories: 704

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp (42 g / 1.48 oz) butter
  • ½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • ½ yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp (2 g / 0.07 oz) ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp (0.5 g / 0.02 oz) paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1½ pounds / 680g (24 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 6 ounces (170 g / 6 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4.1 fl oz) heavy whipping cream
  • ¾ cup (85 g / 3 oz) shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • ¾ cup (85 g / 3 oz) shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese
  • ½ pound (225 g / 7.9 oz) bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
  • ½ tsp (1.5 g / 0.05 oz) xanthan gum (optional thickener)
  • For a milder soup, be sure to remove all seeds and white membranes from the jalapeños. For extra heat, leave some in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • For the creamiest texture, use full-fat cream cheese and freshly shredded cheeses, as pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that can make the soup grainy.
  • If you don't have xanthan gum, you can thicken the soup with a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) of cold water, then slowly stir it into the simmering soup.

Method
 

  1. Directions
  2. Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and melt the butter.
  3. Add the chopped bell pepper, onion, and jalapeños.
  4. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened, then stir in the minced garlic, cumin, and paprika and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
  5. Press “Cancel” to turn off the heat.
  6. Stir in the cubed chicken, cream cheese, and chicken broth.
  7. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Secure the lid, set the pressure valve to the “Sealing” position, and select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on High Pressure for 15 minutes.
  9. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before performing a quick release for any remaining pressure.
  10. Carefully remove the lid and select the “Sauté” function again.
  11. Stir in the heavy cream, shredded cheeses, and half of the crumbled bacon until the cheese is melted and the soup is smooth.
  12. To thicken, slowly sprinkle the xanthan gum over the surface of the soup while stirring constantly.
  13. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.
  14. Serve the soup hot, garnished with the remaining crumbled bacon.
  15. Garnish your soup with crushed tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, or sliced avocado for extra flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 704kcalCarbohydrates: 0.9gProtein: 56.2gFat: 23.4g

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!