Chicken Tinga (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, or Stovetop)
This easy chicken tinga is the best way to make shredded chicken for Mexican dishes. The chicken is cooked in a smoky, slightly spicy tomato sauce and comes out perfectly tender every time. Serve it with some Shortcut Refried Beans or a Mexican Corn Salad for the perfect meal.
Mexican chicken tinga is one of those dishes you get used to seeing all over the place when you live in Southern California. It's a staple on most Mexican menus and used to fill all kinds of classic dishes like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and more.
In fact, many times chicken tinga is the default filling, even if the menu doesn't specifically mention it. It's a true staple in Mexican cooking.
The thing I love most about making chicken tinga is that it couldn't be easier to make and it is super versatile. Normally we use it for chicken tinga tacos the first night that I make it. Then a couple of days later, I will use it to make another dish - think tostadas, burrito bowls, taquitos, flautas, or as a stuffing for peppers.
It also works great for lunch prep. I love it as a topping for a taco salad, filling for quesadillas, or protein for taco bowls. I even throw it in store-bought black bean or vegetable soup. This stuff tastes good with everything.
What is chicken tinga?
Basically, chicken tinga is a Mexican shredded chicken dish from Puebla that's made with white onions, tomatoes, garlic, and chipotle chile peppers in adobo. It is used as a filling for all types of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and numerous other delicious Mexican dishes.
Tinga gives the dishes a little extra kick and is a great substitute for plain shredded chicken.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken: Any type of chicken can be used to make tinga. Use chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken legs. Although boneless chicken is easier, bone-in chicken can also be used. Just remove the bones and skin when shredding the chicken. Adjust the cooking times as needed if using bone-in chicken since it can take longer to cook.
- Diced tomatoes: Any type of canned tomatoes can be used in this recipe. Fire-roasted will add a smoky flavor. Diced tomatoes with green chilies have some extra heat. Plain tomatoes will be milder. Fresh tomatoes could also be used since they will cook down as the chicken cooks. Roma tomatoes are the most traditional.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo: Chicken tinga should have some heat and a slightly smoky flavor. Chipotle peppers bring both of those elements. For something very mild, just use a few spoonfuls of the sauce. For more spice, add one or more diced chipotle peppers. Chipotle chiles are smoked jalapeno peppers. The canned version is the easiest, but you could use rehydrated fried chile peppers or even chipotle sauce or salsa.
- Onion and garlic: These aromatics are key to building flavor and fresh provides the most flavor. Use garlic powder and/or onion powder if needed. White onions are the most traditional but any kind will work.
How to Make Chicken Tinga
There are three easy ways to make tinga using the slow cooker, Instant pot, or cooking it on the stove. Here's how to make each option.
- Slow Cooker: This is the easiest method. Simply add the chicken, tomatoes, onions, garlic, chipotle peppers, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Give it a good stir and cook on low for 3-4 hours. For bone-in chicken, cook for 7-8 hours.
- Instant Pot: Add everything to the Instant Pot, stirring well. If you are using fresh chicken, cook it for 10 minutes and let it naturally release. For frozen chicken, cook it for 13 minutes. If using only chicken breasts, cut down the cooking time to 6 minutes so the chicken doesn't overcook.
- Stovetop: Start by poaching the chicken until it is just cooked through. Set aside and shred. Make the tinga sauce by blending the tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chipotle peppers. Add that to a large pot and cook for 5-7 minutes until it turns a dark red. Then add the shredded chicken to the sauce and cook for 5 minutes.
Ways to serve chicken tinga
There are so many different ways to make use of your chicken tinga. I almost always double or triple the recipe since the leftovers work for so many dishes. Plus it freezes great so you can always store it for a quick future meal.
- Tacos: This is the most classic option for chicken tinga. I like to use warm corn tortillas, diced onion, cilantro, avocado, and queso fresco. We also always have extra chipotle peppers on the side for anyone who likes more heat.
- Burrito and burrito bowls: I am never one to turn down a burrito bowl from Chipotle but lately I have been making them at home. I start with some Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice, add sauteed peppers and onions, canned black beans, some corn, cilantro, and tons of this yummy chicken. Topped with some cheese and cilantro and it's the most delicious and filling meal. I wrap up the same thing for the husband for a more classic burrito.
- Enchiladas: One of the keys to making really great enchiladas is to use a filling that won't dry out. This tinga is just that and makes this perfect filling for enchiladas. It would also work in this yummy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
- Tostadas: Tostadas are crispy tortillas topped with beans, protein, veggies, and cheese. We love making these Chicken Tostadas with tinga to pack in even more flavor.
- Stuffed peppers: Toss the shredded chicken with some black beans, cooked rice, and corn. Stuff it into bell peppers and top with cheese to make some tasty stuffed peppers. It also is delicious with these Stuffed Poblano Peppers.
- Flautas and taquitos: If you love cripsy tacos, consider making some baked flautas or taquitos with the leftover tinga.
Can I freeze chicken tinga?
Absolutely! Chicken tinga freezes great. Just make sure to pack it in an airtight container. It comes out best if you let it defrost in the fridge overnight since a microwave will reheat it unevenly and sometimes the chicken gets dry.
Another tip for keeping the chicken nice and tender after freezing is to use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Recipe Ideas for Chicken Tinga
There are lots of ways you can customize this recipe to make it suit your exact tastes and needs. Here are some tips and ideas for the recipe.
- Moist and tender chicken: If you are worried about your chicken drying out, replace the chicken breasts with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Less spicy: For less heat, cut back on the chipotle peppers and add some cumin to ensure they still have a smoky kick.
- Thicker sauce: For a thicker sauce, blend together the onions, garlic, tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and salt. This will give you a smooth, thick sauce for the chicken.
- Extra spice: If you like spicy things, add more chipotle peppers and make sure to use the adobo sauce. It has tons of flavor.
- Fresh tomatoes: If you prefer to use fresh tomatoes, start by roasting them until they are browned and charred on the outside. You can do this in a heavy skillet or in the oven.
- Add tomatillos: Add a few tomatillos to the salsa as well. This adds another delicious layer of flavor.
- Mexican oregano: For some extra flavor, add some Mexican oregano to the dish as well.
- Shortcut: To make a shortcut chicken tinga, start by blending the tomatoes, onions, garlic, chipotle peppers, and salt. Add this salsa to a pot and cook for 8-10 minutes over medium heat until the sauce darkens. Then just add some previously cooked or rotisserie chicken to the sauce and dinner is ready.
Best Way to Make Chicken Tinga Tacos
If you are going to make chicken tinga, you have to try it in tacos. Here is my favorite way to make a delicious tinga taco.
- Toppings: Get all your toppings chopped and ready to go. You will need cilantro, onion, and avocado for a traditional chicken tinga taco.
- Cheese: Crumble some queso fresco or queso cotija over top.
- Make chipotle salsa: Grab your leftover chipotles in adobo and throw them in a blender. Blend them to make a spicy and smoky salsa to serve on the side for anyone who wants more heat. If needed, you can add some tomatoes or chicken broth to thin out the salsa.
- Tortillas: Heat up your corn tortillas. My favorite way to do this is right on the flame on my stove so that the tortillas get some charred spots. Just place them right on the flame and let them cook for 15-30 seconds until they begin to bubble and brown. Flip carefully with tongs and repeat. Place the tortillas in foil to keep them warm. Use flour tortillas if you prefer, they just aren't as traditional for tinga.
- Make the tacos: Grab a warm corn tortilla, add your chicken, and top with onions, cilantro, avocado, queso fresco, and a drizzle of chipotle salsa. To counteract the heat, add a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema.