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My secret weapon for hectic weeknight dinners full of taco night flavor – fast – is a simple shredded chicken tinga loaded with authentic flavor that is crave-worthy and easy to whip up fast!
This chicken tinga uses traditional flavors and a few techniques to speed up the process – you can rule taco night in no time!
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe – my goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
I want each reader to walk away with a solid knowledge of each recipe, with all of the tips I’ve gathered from extensive testing of each recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help everyone better understand the processes we use – and why!
Table of contents
What is Chicken Tinga?
Chicken tinga is like my cheat code for easy, fresh, healthy dinners. It requires only a little work, and packs an incredibly flavorful punch.
This is a recipe I’ve perfected over the years growing up in California and Colorado – tinga has always been one of my favorite easy dinners, and I make this at least once a week!
The key ingredients in chicken tinga include chicken, tomatoes, onions, garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – as well as variety of spices such as cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika, for a crave-worthy chicken that is perfect in tacos and burritos!
The chicken is typically simmered in the sauce until it becomes tender and infused with rich, bold flavors typical in Puebla, Mexico – where tinga sauce originated.
Chicken tinga is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. It is commonly used as a filling for tacos, tostadas, or burritos. It can also be served over rice or in a sandwich for a hearty and flavorful meal. Garnishes such as fresh cilantro, diced onions, crumbled cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice add extra layers of taste and texture!
Chicken tinga is one of my family’s go-to dinners – it is easy to adjust the spice level and pair with tons of dishes, making this one for your weekly recipe rotation!
What does Chicken Tinga taste like?
Chicken Tinga has a rich, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor profile. The dish is made by simmering shredded chicken in a sauce made primarily from tomatoes, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, onions, and garlic.
It is lightly sweet, smoky, spicy – for a rich and comforting dish that is a family favorite. You also can adjust the level of spice to suit your family’s tastes.
Tinga Chicken Recipe Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Shredded Chicken: The main protein component of chicken tinga, shredded chicken adds texture and substance to the dish. I start with my boiled chicken recipe, so we’re flavor-packed out of the gate.
- White Onion: White onion is commonly used in Mexican cuisine for its mild flavor and ability to enhance the overall taste of the dish. It adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the chicken tinga.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo: Chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeno peppers that are rehydrated and canned in a tangy and slightly sweet adobo sauce. They provide the smoky and spicy flavor that is characteristic of chicken tinga. The adobo sauce also adds a rich, savory element.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used for sautéing the onions and garlic, providing a smooth base and imparting a subtle fruity flavor to the dish.
- Cumin: Cumin is a warm and earthy spice commonly used in Mexican cuisine. It adds depth and complexity to the chicken tinga, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
- Oregano: Oregano lends a distinct herbaceous and slightly floral note to the dish. It works in harmony with the other spices to create a well-rounded flavor.
- Garlic: Garlic adds aromatic and savory notes to the chicken tinga. It enhances the overall depth of flavor and complements the other ingredients.
- Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a smoky and slightly charred flavor to the dish. They also contribute a tangy sweetness and help create a rich tomato-based sauce for the chicken tinga.
- Chili Powder: Chili powder is a spice blend that typically includes ground chili peppers, cumin, garlic powder, and other seasonings. It adds a mild heat and robust flavor to the chicken tinga, enhancing its overall spiciness and complexity.
How to Make This Chicken Tinga Recipe
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:
- Cook vegetables. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, chipotle peppers, cumin, oregano, and chili powder to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to release the flavors. Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, including the juices. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Blend. Blend sauce well until smooth.
- Add chicken. Add the shredded chicken to the skillet and mix well to coat the chicken with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken tinga simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. If the mixture becomes too thick, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to adjust the consistency.
- Enjoy! Serve the chicken tinga warm with your choice of accompaniments, such as warm tortillas, rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, or any other toppings of your liking.
Tinga Recipe Tips
- Balance the flavors: Chicken tinga typically has a combination of smoky, spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. Adjust the amounts of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and other seasonings to achieve the desired balance of flavors.
- Slow cooking: For the best results, cook the chicken tinga on low heat for a longer period of time. This allows the flavors to meld together and results in tender, juicy chicken.
- Adjust the heat level: If you prefer a spicier tinga, you can add more chipotle peppers or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Conversely, if you prefer a milder version, reduce the amount of chipotle peppers or use a smaller can of chipotles in adobo sauce.
- Let it rest: Like many dishes, chicken tinga benefits from a brief resting period before serving. Allowing it to sit for 10-15 minutes after cooking helps the flavors to meld and develop further.
- Serve with traditional accompaniments: Chicken tinga is often served on tortillas as tacos or tostadas. Consider topping it with traditional garnishes like crumbled queso fresco, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Easy Chicken Tinga Recipe Variations
While the traditional chicken tinga recipe calls for chicken, you can also try making tinga with other proteins like pork or beef. Additionally, you can customize the recipe by adding other ingredients such as black beans, corn, or bell peppers.
FAQs
While shredded chicken breasts are preferred for their ease, you can use chicken thighs if you prefer, for an even better flavor. However, chicken breasts tend to be less juicy, so be cautious not to overcook them.
For the easiest way to shred chicken, add to the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and mix on medium until shredded. It really works, and it is SO easy! If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can shred the chicken using two forks, pulling them apart in opposite directions. Alternatively, you can use your hands to shred the chicken into smaller pieces.
Chicken tinga can have varying levels of spiciness depending on the amount of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce you use. Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapenos and can add a moderate level of spiciness. Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences.
Yes, chicken tinga can be made ahead of time. In fact, the flavors tend to develop and intensify when the dish is allowed to sit overnight. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat it gently on the stovetop when ready to serve.
Chicken tinga is commonly served in tacos, tostadas, or as a filling for burritos, enchiladas, or quesadillas. You can also serve it alongside rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, and other traditional Mexican side dishes.
Yes, chicken tinga can be frozen. Allow it to cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bags. It can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Absolutely! The flavorful tomato-based sauce from chicken tinga can be used as a base for soups, stews, or even as a sauce for pasta or rice dishes. It’s a versatile sauce that can add a delicious kick to various recipes.
What to Serve With Chicken Tinga
Chicken tinga is fabulous with chips and fresh blended salsa, or topped with carrot and jalapeño salsa – its also delicious in bowls with our Spicy Garlicky Beans!
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Best Chicken Tinga Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 white onion, finely chopped
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can of chipotle peppers
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can, 14 ounces fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, adjust to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, cumin, oregano, and chili powder to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to release the flavors.
- Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, including the juices. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Blend sauce well until smooth, return to pan.
- Add the shredded chicken to the skillet and mix well to coat the chicken with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken tinga simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. If the mixture becomes too thick, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to adjust the consistency.
- Serve the chicken tinga warm with your choice of accompaniments, such as warm tortillas, rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, or any other toppings of your liking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
