My favorite chicken tinga tacos recipe, with warmed tortillas stuffed with zesty shredded chipotle chicken tinga, topped with crumbly cheese, sliced peppers and lots of hot sauce.
It's Taco Night in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen tonight, my friends! Would you care for a taco? I think you're going to want one of these.
Today we're making Chicken Tinga Tacos, and they're huge on flavor. What we're doing is simmering juicy chicken thighs in a zesty, spicy chipotle sauce until they're fall apart tender. Then we shred the chicken and stack it onto warmed tortilla shells with all of your favorite fixings.
If you're a fan of chicken tacos, you need to try these chipotle chicken tacos. They're incredibly juicy and flavorful and we just can't get enough of them in this house. I think you're going to love them.
Let's talk about how we make Chicken Tinga Tacos, shall we?
Chicken Tinga Tacos Ingredients
- Chicken. Chicken thighs are great for chicken tacos, as they are juicier and have a higher fat content, but you can use chicken breast as well.
- Peppers and Veggies. I'm using one jalapeno pepper for a bit of heat and flavor, along with onion and garlic. Cooking them down adds a lot of extra flavor to the final sauce and shredded chicken.
- Chipotles in Adobo Sauce. Use a typical 7-ounce can that you can find in most stores. There are usually several brands to choose from. Go for the actual chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, not just the adobo sauce, as the chipotles add to that smoky flavor in the shredded chicken and the sauce.
- Tomato Sauce. I love fire roasted tomatoes for this recipe, though you can use crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, or the equivalent of fresh tomatoes. Tomato and chipotle are a great combo.
- Seasonings. To spice things up and build on flavor, we're using chili powder, Mexican oregano, a bit of cumin, and salt and black pepper. If you have other preferred seasonings, like a favorite taco seasoning recipe, feel free to include it.
- Tortillas. I love flour tortillas for my chicken tinga tacos, though I also love corn tortillas. Don't make me choose!
- Your Favorite Toppings. I'm using jalapeno slices fresh chopped herbs, crumbly white cotija cheese, fresh chopped cilantro, chili flakes and hot sauce. Other options include avocado, guacamole, chopped tomato, refried beans, shredded cheese.
How to Make Chicken Tinga Tacos - the Recipe Method
Fir the Chicken Tinga
Cook the Peppers, Onion and Garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet to medium high heat and add the onions and jalapeno peppers. Cook them down about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the garlic becomes fragrant, stirring occasionally.
Sear the Chicken. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan. Give them a nice sear on each side, a couple minute each.
Make the Chipotle Sauce. Process the tomato sauce and chipotles in adobo sauce in a food processor, then pour the mixture into the pan, covering the chicken. Stir in the seasonings.
Simmer the Chicken in the Sauce. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily pulls apart.
Shred the Chicken. Remove the chicken and shred it with a couple of forks. It will mix up nicely with the sauce, coating everything. It is incredibly juicy and moist.
Simmer the Shredded Chicken. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer in the sauce another 5 minutes.
See my Chicken Tinga Recipe for more notes and tips on making chicken tinga.
For the Tacos
Warm the Tortillas. Warm the tortillas (either in a microwave or in a heated pan) to your liking. Patty loves them warmed and slightly charred over the stovetop open flame. Be careful not to scorch or burn them if you do this.
Stack the Tacos. Add the chicken tinga onto the tortillas, a couple ounces each (or spoonsful), then top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Boom! Done! Chicken tinga tacos are ready to serve! They look super tasty, don't they?
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Rotisserie Chicken. Save yourself some time and make this recipe with rotisserie chicken. Just shred it and warm it with the sauce. Super easy!
- Guacamole. Any tacos, and these chicken tacos in particular, are great with homemade guacamole. Mix an avocado with a bit of salt, lime juice and chopped cilantro - blend until smooth. You'll love it!
- Topping Ideas. I love mine topped with sliced peppers, fresh cilantro and crumbly cotija cheese. And lots of hot sauce! Try them with pickled red onions, chiles toreados, pickled jalapenos, salsa macha, fiery chile de arbol salsa, or this creamy jalapeno sauce. So good!
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my chicken tinga tacos recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'm a huge fan of chicken tacos. Just can't get enough of them.
Storage & Leftovers
Storing your Chicken Tinga Tacos in an airtight container in the fridge may allow you to store the leftovers for up to 3-4 days. To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate them promptly.
Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN TINGA
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 pounds skinless chicken thighs chicken breast is good too
- 16 ounce can tomato sauce
- 7 ounce can chipotles in adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
FOR THE TACOS
- 12 flour tortillas or you can use corn tortillas
- Your Favorite Fixin's - I'm using jalapeno slices fresh chopped herbs, crumbly white cheese, fresh chopped cilantro, chili flakes and hot sauce. Great with avocado, guacamole, chopped tomato, refried beans, shredded cheese.
Instructions
FOR THE CHICKEN TINGA
- Heat the oil in a large pan to medium heat and add the onions and jalapeno peppers. Cook them down about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan. Give them a nice sear on each side, a couple minute each.
- Process the tomato sauce and chipotles in adobo sauce in a food processor, then pour the mixture into the pan, covering the chicken.
- Stir in the seasonings.
- Bring to a quick boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and easily pulls apart.
- Remove the chicken and shred it with a couple of forks.
- Return the chicken to the pan and simmer in the sauce another 5 minutes.
FOR THE TACOS
- Warm the tortillas (either in a microwave or in a heated pan) to your liking.
- Spoon chicken tinga onto the tortillas, then top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition Information
Diana says
I am putting this on my menu plan for the coming days. I read comments before I make a recipe and I see here that a few people thought it was too hot and that the jalapeño should be taken down an notch.
Jalapeño is mild (to me). The key here, is take the seeds out of the chipotle (which is just another form of Jalapeño).
When I had my chemo, my Onco told me that I will not be able to eat spicy food while I'm on chemo, and it might last for my lifetime. It apparently has because that was five years ago and I still can't eat the food the way I used to. I'm all about spice.
I love the flavor of the chipotle and I'm not going to give it up. I have found that if I take all the seeds out, I can tolerate the heat. I can still enjoy the unequaled delicious of chipotle in adobe sauce if I take all the seeds out. It's messy, but worth it. You can also take all of the seeds out of Jalapeño and that is pretty easy to do.
You can get all of the flavor and not a ton of heat if you take the seeds and veins out.
That's why I still subscribe to Mike's recipe blog despite my inability to eat super spicy foods anymore. His recipes are perfect and can be adjusted. He's the best.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much, Diana. I sincerely appreciate your comments on this. Yes, I try to make sure the recipes are as adjustable as possible for those of varying "spicy" preferences. It's all about flavor, with just enough added spicy heat to boot! All the best to you!! Take care.
Alyse says
Crockpot instructions please
Mike Hultquist says
Follow instructions through Step 5, then add everything to your slow cooker or crockpot. Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is pull-apart tender (check it after 1.5-2 hours). Pull, mix, and enjoy.
Faith says
Hi, I want to make this but have read comments saying it is hot hot. What you you suggest to dial back to more of a medium heat? I like medium spicy things but not soo hot I have to chug a drink between bites lol!
Mike Hultquist says
Faith, use only half or less of the chipotles in adobo sauce. You can add in a milder chili powder to make up for that. You can also skip the jalapeno peppers. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Mike says
Tried this today, smelled and tasted very good, and as advertised, the prep wasn’t bad.
The spice level was too hot for me, next time I’ll skip the jalapeño pepper and only put in half of the chiles in adobo sauce. Mike’s low to medium spice level is different from mine. Reminds me of my first meal in Thailand with “low” spice.
But enjoyable nonetheless!
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Mike! Yes, it's hard to nail the exact heat level for everyone, but glad you made the note to make it perfect for you next time! Thanks for sharing this.
Destiny says
Holy Moly this was SPICY SPICY HOT
Delicious but way hot. I only used two of the chilis VS the full can. Next time I will not use the jalapeño and 1 chili. I kinda laughed when I got the bottom of the post and realized that this post was for spicy food lovers.
Mike Hultquist says
Destiny! Yes, sorry, this is definitely on the SPICY side. But yes, you can certainly dial it down next time! Great flavor!!
Brittany says
Absolutely Delicious! I left the seeds in my jalapeño so it was make ya sweat spicy, but mouthwatering. We had just under 2 lbs of chicken which made for extra sauce, not mad about it! Will definitely be making again!
Mike Hultquist says
Sounds wonderful, Brittany! Glad you enjoyed it!
Daphnie says
My first time ever hearing about these! I tried them the same day and I am blown away. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe!
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed them, Daphnie. =)
SetTheBarHigh says
Would love a great tortilla recipe to make these with for my husband!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Excellent! Enjoy!!
Jérémie says
My fixin’s for this were: avocado, frijoles refritos, jalapeño slices, chopped tomatoes and cilantro. I didn’t have cotija cheese- never found some- here: so, I choose feta cheese.
And, for the first time, I really succeeded in making soft and great homemade corn tortillas.
Yummmm… Sir, these Chicken Tinga Tacos were just brilliant! So good! So tasty! Merci, Mike!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Outstanding, Jérémie! That's some wonderful from-scratch cooking! Glad you enjoyed them! Merci. =)
Sandy says
Fabulous recipe! I used corn tortillas, put a piece of romaine lettuce in the bottom to keep the shell from getting too wet, topped it with shredded chilli, lime and tequila cheddar cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and cilantro. The flavours were fabulous. This is a super easy weeknight meal. Love love love your recipes Mike!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Glad you enjoyed it, Sandy! Thanks!!