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Chicken Tinga Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 67 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Chicken Tinga is a flavorful Mexican dish featuring shredded chicken simmered in a smoky, spicy chipotle tomato sauce. Perfect for tacos, tostadas, or rice bowls, this gluten-free and dairy-free recipe is easy to prepare on the stovetop and ideal for meal prep.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
  • 1 (14 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (such as rotisserie)
  • ½ cup chicken broth


Instructions

  1. Heat and Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent, developing a sweetness that forms the base of the sauce.
  2. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, releasing its fragrant aroma without letting it burn.
  3. Incorporate Chipotle and Spices: Add the chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, dried oregano, ground cumin, and salt to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine the smoky and spicy flavors.
  4. Simmer Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  5. Blend the Sauce: Transfer the sauce mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the skillet, blending until smooth to create a creamy, cohesive sauce.
  6. Return and Add Chicken: Pour the blended sauce back into the skillet. Stir in the shredded chicken and chicken broth, mixing well to coat the chicken evenly.
  7. Simmer with Chicken: Continue simmering for another 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully heated and has absorbed the flavors of the sauce.
  8. Serve: Serve the chicken tinga warm in tortillas, tostadas, or over rice bowls for a delicious meal.

Notes

  • Adjust the number of chipotle peppers to control the heat level according to your preference.
  • This dish is excellent for meal prep and can be frozen for up to 2 months.