Description
Chicken Tinga is a flavorful Mexican dish featuring shredded chicken simmered in a smoky, spicy tomato and chipotle pepper sauce. This easy stovetop recipe combines tender cooked chicken with a rich sauce made from fire-roasted tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and traditional Mexican spices, perfect for tacos, rice bowls, or tostadas.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds cooked shredded chicken, such as rotisserie chicken or poached chicken breast
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for about 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Add Spices and Chipotle: Mix in the chopped chipotle peppers, dried oregano, ground cumin, and salt. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and apple cider vinegar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors.
- Optional Puree: Use an immersion blender directly in the skillet or transfer the sauce to a blender to puree until smooth for a more uniform texture, then return to the skillet.
- Add Chicken and Simmer: Stir in the shredded chicken, ensuring it is completely coated with the sauce. Continue to simmer for an additional 5–10 minutes until the chicken is heated through and flavors combine.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Tinga warm with your choice of tortillas, over rice, or in tacos, and garnish with your favorite toppings like avocado, queso fresco, or fresh cilantro.
Notes
- Adjust the number of chipotle peppers to match your preferred level of spiciness.
- This dish freezes well, making it a great option for meal prepping.
- Serve with toppings such as sliced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, or fresh cilantro to enhance flavor.
