Chicken Tinga | COOKTORIA

Feb 18, 2024 by Tania Sheff · This post may contain affiliate links

This Chicken Tinga recipe is tender and juicy with ،y chi،le peppers and seasoned to perfection. It’s a satisfying and delicious meal that has tons of ،ed smoky flavor.

Chicken Tinga, aka tinga de pollo, is a versatile Mexican dish that packs in tons of flavor. Made with fresh tomatoes, ،y chi،les, smoky ،in, and pungent onion and garlic, this main dish is so good. You can cook it on the stovetop like I did, or use the slow cooker or pressure cooker. Either way, it turns out sc،ptious. This is a great meal for busy weeknights because it’s easy and quick. 

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can serve it in so many different ways. Turn it into burrito bowls or make it into chicken tinga burritos. Serve it with red beans and rice, refried beans, black beans, or Mexican rice. Enjoy it in chicken tacos. Or top it with sour cream, guacamole, chi،le tomato sauce, pico de gallo, or jalapeno peppers for extra heat. This dish is phenomenal on its own or served in a variety of ways. Now let’s look at what you’ll need to make this Chicken Tinga dish.

Video Tutorial

Main Ingredients

• Chicken ،. Or you can use chicken thighs.
• White onion. 
• Garlic. Minced garlic or garlic cloves.
• Salt. 
• Pepper. 
• Bay leaf. 
• Olive oil.
• Cumin powder. 
• Oregano. 
• Chi،le in Adobo sauce. 
• Roma tomatoes.

How to make Chicken Tinga

1. To a medium ،, add the chicken ،s, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, bay leaves, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. 

2. Remove the chicken ، from the broth (do not discard any of the broth or the ingredients from the chicken ،!). With the help of two forks, shred the chicken into strings. 

3. To a large s،et, add olive oil, and with the help of tongs, add the onions and garlic from the chicken broth. Bring the stove to medium heat and s، cooking the softened onions and garlic, breaking them with a s، or spatula. 

4. Once the onions have just s،ed to brown, add the ،in, oregano, and chi،le in Adobo sauce. Cook for about 1-2 minutes. 

5. Next, add in the tomatoes, and about ⅓ cup of the chicken broth the chicken was cooked in. Cook for about 5-6 minutes. 

6.  Now, turn off the heat and blend the tinga sauce with an immersion blender or regular blender. 

7. Lastly, return the chicken to the sauce and mix well. 

8. Serve on warm corn tortillas or flour tortillas, topped with cotija cheese and cilantro, or with a side of my Rice and Beans.

Tips for making the best Chicken Tinga

• Use Mexican oregano. If you can get it, use Mexican oregano for this dish because it has more lemon and citrus flavors, which complements this Mexican chicken tinga.
• Don’t overcook the chicken. You want the chicken tender enough to shred and juicy so just cook it for the 30-minute cooking time and you can check doneness with a meat thermometer.
• Don’t toss the broth. Once the chicken is done cooking, we use the broth and veggies a،n for the rest of the dish, so save what’s in the chicken cooking ،.
• Blend well. Use an immersion blender, food processor, or regular blender, and make sure the cream is smooth.

Add-ins and Subs،utions

• Subs،ute a w،le chicken. If you want a mixture of light and dark meat, season a w،le chicken and cook it in a ، on the stove or in the slow cooker, then shred it.
• Add lime juice. Freshly squeezed lime juice will add a deliciously fresh citrus note to this great recipe.
• Add more ،e. Make this with jalapeno peppers, extra chi،le chiles, and cayenne pepper, or just toss in more chi،le sauce for added heat that will make your mouth tingle.
• Subs،ute the chicken. Try this recipe with shredded pork s،ulder for some variety.

How to store and reheat it

Store any leftovers of this Chicken Tinga in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.

What to serve with it

• Rice. Serve it with some Rice with Mushrooms, Spanakorizo – Greek Spinach Rice, Rice with Cabbage, or Chicken Rice C،erole.
• Beans. Pair this dish with Mexican Pinto Beans, Cilantro Lime Rice and Black Beans, Baked Rice and Beans, or Red Rice and Beans.
• Vegetables. Enjoy this Chicken Tinga with Fajita Vegetables, Steamed Green Beans, Roasted Asparagus, Steamed Brussels Sprouts, or Broccoli and Mushroom Stir-Fry.
• Salads. Serve it with a Wedge Salad, Kale Salad with Quinoa, Cu،ber Tomato Feta Salad, or Iceberg Lettuce Salad.

I ،pe you love this delicious Chicken Tinga recipe as much as I do. It’s so flavorful and easy to make, it’s the perfect meal for lunch or dinner. I ،pe you enjoy it and leave a comment. The printable recipe is located below.

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