Chicken Tinga – Authentic Style

Chicken Tinga is a smoky, spicy, and slightly tangy dish featuring shredded chicken simmered in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, and chipotle peppers. It’s versatile, easy to make, and perfect for everything from tacos to tostadas.

What is Chicken Tinga?

Chicken tinga in Spanish called as tinga de pollo is a classic Mexican dish originated in Puebla, Mexico made with shredded chicken simmered in a sauce made from chipotle chilis, tomatoes in adobo, and sliced onions. It is often served on a tostada, tacos or burritos and topped with shredded lettuce, avocado slices, sour cream, crumbled cheese, and salsa.

Now let’s jump into the recipe, below I have shared all the versions – stove, instant pot, and slow cooker.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Tinga

• Choose the Right Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result. However, chicken breasts work well if you prefer leaner meat.
• Customize the Heat: Chipotle peppers are spicy, so adjust the amount to suit your preference. For a milder flavor, use fewer peppers or scrape out the seeds.
• Make it Smokier: Add a touch of smoked paprika to enhance the smoky profile of the dish.
• Prep Ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Make a batch ahead of time for quick and delicious meals throughout the week.
• Blend Smoothly: To achieve a silky sauce, blend the tomato-chipotle mixture until smooth before simmering with the chicken.

How to make Chicken Tinga in Slow Cooker?

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4)
• 2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced, plus 1 tablespoon of the sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (14-ounce) can tomato purée
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions:

1. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper and place in a single layer in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
2. Heat up a medium skillet over medium heat, add oil, once hot, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft.
3. Add the garlic, oregano, bay leaf, cumin, and the 1 teaspoon of salt, and stir to combine. Stir in the chipotle peppers, tomato purée, and adobo sauce and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Now pour the onions and sauce all over the chicken. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 hours on the LOW or 1 to 2 hours on the HIGH setting or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
6. Once done, turn off the slow cooker and transfer chicken to a cutting board. Discard the bay leaf. Shred the chicken with the help of two forks.
7. Return the chicken to the slow cooker with the sauce and stir to coat before serving in tortillas.

Chicken Tinga Instant Pot

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 3.5 oz chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 large tomato quartered
• 1 large onion thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 tomatoes diced
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tsp Cayenne pepper optional to taste

Instructions:

1. Add tomato, garlic and chipotle peppers with adobo sauce to a blender or mixer and make a puree.
2. Turn on the Instant Pot to Saute mode and heat oil. Add onions and cook for a minute, add chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and salt. Pour the puree over the chicken breasts. Select the Manual mode and adjust the timer to 8 minutes.
3. Allow 10 minutes of NPR. Open the Instant Pot, take the chicken out to cutting board and shred into bite size pieces using two forks.
4. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and turn the Instant Pot to Saute and cook until the sauce thickens for about 5 minutes. Add cayenne pepper and adjust salt to taste.

Variations of Chicken Tinga

• Vegetarian Tinga: Substitute shredded jackfruit, chickpeas, or sautéed mushrooms for chicken. The sauce pairs beautifully with plant-based alternatives.
• Tinga Verde: Try a green version by swapping tomatoes with tomatillos and adding roasted poblano peppers.
• Beef or Pork Tinga: Replace chicken with shredded beef or pork for a heartier version.
• Creamy Tinga: Stir in a dollop of Mexican crema or sour cream for a milder, creamier twist.

What to Serve with Chicken Tinga?

You can use it as a topping for tacos, tostadas, or sopes for filling and you can serve this as a main dish with rice or with cilantro, guacamole, cabbage, Mexican cheese, red onions, and squeeze of fresh lime!

Can we freeze the leftover Tinga Chicken?

Yes, of course! Leftovers can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months or refrigerated up to 4 days.

How to Warm the Tinga Chicken Tortillas?

Place the in a steel or cast-iron skillet without oil, and cook until warm, turning occasionally or wrap a stack of tortillas in foil and place in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Recipe FAQs

Q: What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?
A: Chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeños preserved in a tangy, spicy tomato-based sauce. You can find them canned in most grocery stores in the international or Hispanic food aisle.

Q: Can I make Chicken Tinga in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker before serving.

Q: Is Chicken Tinga gluten-free?
A: Yes, the dish is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure any additional ingredients like tortillas or toppings are also certified gluten-free if necessary.

Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
A: Definitely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving shortcut. Simply shred the chicken and simmer it in the sauce to soak up all the flavors.

Q: What sides pair well with Chicken Tinga?
A: Mexican rice, black beans, or a simple green salad are excellent accompaniments to this dish.

Still Hungry! Try These Delicious Chicken Recipes:

• Breaded Chicken Breast
• Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
• Basil Chicken Pesto
• Stir Fry Moo Shu Chicken

Final Thoughts

Chicken Tinga is a celebration of bold flavors and culinary tradition. Its smoky-spicy taste makes it a standout dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or entertaining. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try one of the creative variations, this dish is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. So grab your favorite tortillas, a can of chipotle peppers, and get ready to bring the taste of Mexico home!