Chicken Tinga is made with shredded chicken, tomatoes, and chipotle chilis in adobo. Hearty and boldly flavored, this Mexican dish is perfect for tacos, burritos, tostadas, or as a main dish with rice and beans.
One of my favorite places to shop for groceries is a major Mexican supermarket chain a few blocks from the house. I usually spend a good part of the afternoon there when I go, just walking the aisles, checking new products, and discovering new flavors.
In fact, a few of the Mexican recipes I have on the blog, such as pork chili verde and chicken posole, I learned by asking other customers.
This chicken tinga is another delicious recipe I discovered on my recent trip to the store. They have a cooked foods section where you could have a free (very) small cup to taste test.
I tried it, fell in love, and asked the attending staff for the ingredients and procedure list. So, here it is, an authentic tinga de pollo recipe for you to make!
Meat alternatives
While chicken seems to be the most popular version, the dish can be made with pork or beef. Good cuts are pork shoulder or beef chuck roast, which are excellent for stews.
Like the chicken, the pork or beef is first simmered in liquid and aromatics until fork-tender. It is then shredded, sauteed in garlic and onions, and finished in spicy tinga sauce.
Sauce ingredients
Tinga sauce is a flavor-packed concoction made with tomatoes, chipotle peppers in adobo, and spices such as dried Mexican oregano and cumin.
When researching the dish, I also picked up a bottle of commercially prepared sauce to understand the taste I should be aiming for. The premade sauce had a hint of acidic flavor; sure enough, the ingredient list on the label included vinegar. The recipe below includes a minute amount of cider vinegar to add a touch of tang.
Quick tip
Reserve the aromatics and broth from poaching the chicken to make the tinga sauce for extra flavor!
How to Make Slow-Cooker Chicken Tinga
This spicy Mexican shredded chicken takes about an hour to cook on the stovetop, but if you prefer less tending, you can make it in a crockpot by following the super easy steps below.
- In a blender, process chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, tomatoes, and 1/4 cup chicken broth until smooth.
- In a crockpot, place chicken in a single layer. Add tinga sauce, oregano, cumin, and salt.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 or until chicken easily shreds with a fork.
- Remove chicken from the pot, coarsely shred, and return to pot. Continue to cook for another 20 to 30 minutes or until heated.
If you love the bold flavors of Mexican food, this chicken tinga recipe is a must on your meal rotation. It’s easy to make with a simple list of ingredients you can find at most major supermarkets.
It’s ready in minutes, freezable, and versatile, too! Double the recipe, enjoy half for lunch with rice, beans, and warm tortillas, and check out my suggestions below on other delicious uses.
Serving suggestions
- As filling for enchiladas or burritos
- In warm corn tortillas as tacos or on crunchy corn tortillas as tostadas with chopped cilantro, red onions, and crumbled queso Fresca
- Top on baked potatoes
- On rice bowls with shredded lettuce and sliced avocados
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken breast
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and pounded
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 can (7.5 ounces) chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
Equipment
- food processor or blender
Instructions
- In small, heavy-bottomed pot, arrange chicken breasts in a single layer. Add quartered onions, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaf, salt, peppercorns, and enough water to cover.
- Bring to a boil, skimming scum that floats on top. Lower heat, cover, and cook in a barely a simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or until thermometer inserted in the thickest part of chicken reads 165 F.
- With a slotted spoon, remove chicken from pot and allow to cool to touch. Coarsely shred chicken and keep warm.
- Strain liquid using a fine mesh sieve. Discard bay leaf and peppercorns. Reserve the softened onions and garlic and 1 cup of the broth.
- In a blender, combine chipotle peppers including sauce, tomatoes, the softened onion quarters, garlic, and 1 cup reserved broth.
- In a wide pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and cook until softened.
- Add pureed chipotle tomato sauce, vinegar, cumin, and oregano. Bring to a simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add shredded chicken and continue to cook for about 7 to 10 minutes or until heated and sauce is thickened.
- Season with salt, if needed. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Lisa says
This recipe is so delicious and has become part of my regular rotation of meals. I like to use my crockpot so thank you for also sharing the crockpot variation!!
Laura says
Can you use a pressure cooker with this recipe?
Lalaine says
I haven’t tried it but I’m sure you can 🙂
Jatin says
Hi is both cooking process work Same ?
Thks
Jatin
Laura says
Is this pretty spicy with a whole can of the adobos? I have a couple picky little girls and am wondering if I need to cut that back to half a can?
Lalaine says
Yes, it does have a bit of kick and it might be a little too spicy for the kiddos.
Windy says
I’ve made this twice in my instapot and love it! Thanks for an easy family friendly recipe!
Lalaine says
Thanks for the feedback! Glad to know it works in the Instant Pot. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Maggie Unzueta says
This looks incredibly delicious. Can I hire you as my personal chef? lol.
Christine says
Can you use boneless skinless thighs instead of breasts?
Lalaine says
Yes, you can. Thigh meat will work as well. 🙂
Settle in El Paso says
I think, I have eaten this before. Thank you for sharing the recipe.