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Chicken Tinga Recipe
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4.97 from 29 votes

Chicken Tinga Recipe (Mexican Chipotle Shredded Chicken)

This chicken tinga recipe is tender shredded chicken simmered in a zesty tomato-chipotle sauce, great for tacos, tostadas, or burritos, all in one pot!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: chicken, chipotle, recipe, spicy
Servings: 8
Calories: 175kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper chopped (optional, for extra spicy)
  • 4 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 (use 1/2 the can for less spicy)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (I am using ancho powder)
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • 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. Cook them 2 minutes, then flip and cook 2 minutes more to lightly brown.
  • 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 chili powder, cumin, Mexican oregano, and salt and pepper.
  • 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.
  • Serve with tortillas, tostadas, on torta buns, or in a bowl with all your favorite fixings.

Video

Notes

Crock Pot or Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga: If you'd prefer to make your chicken tinga in a crock pot or slow cooker, see the recipe discussion above.

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 415mg | Potassium: 510mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 7.8mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1.9mg