Chicken Tinga
Tinga de Pollo
Shredded chicken simmered in a smoky, slightly sweet sauce of tomatoes, onions, and chipotle chilies in adobo. It is a fantastic, flavorful meal-prep protein that can be used in tacos, bowls, or salads all week.
Time
40m
Servings
6
Difficulty
easy
Budget
$
The Story
Tinga originates from Puebla, a state in central Mexico famous for its complex culinary heritage. The defining characteristic of tinga is the heavy use of sliced onions cooked down until sweet, paired with the smokiness of chipotle peppers (which are smoke-dried jalapeños). It represents the Mexican mastery of creating deeply complex sauces (guisos) that rely on roasted vegetables and chilies rather than butter or cream for their richness.
✓Healthy Swaps & Tips
- • To keep sodium and calories in check, serve the tinga over a large bowl of greens or brown rice instead of fried tortillas.
- • Use shredded jackfruit instead of chicken for a fantastic vegan alternative that perfectly mimics the texture.
Ingredients
- 600gcooked, shredded chickenfrom boiled breasts or a rotisserie chicken
- 2 largewhite onionsthinly sliced
- 4roma tomatoesroasted or boiled
- 2-3chipotle peppers in adobo saucefrom a can
- 2 clovesgarlic
- 1 tbspolive oil
- ½ cupchicken broth
Instructions
In a blender, combine the cooked tomatoes, chipotle peppers (plus a spoonful of the adobo sauce from the can), garlic, and chicken broth. Blend until very smooth.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté slowly for 10-15 minutes until they are deeply caramelized and sweet.
Pour the blended tomato-chipotle sauce over the onions in the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
Fold in the shredded chicken, ensuring it is completely coated in the sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes to let the chicken absorb the flavors.
Serve hot. It is traditionally served on baked tostadas topped with lettuce and avocado.
Common Questions
Is it very spicy?
It can be, depending on how many chipotle peppers you use. Start with one pepper if you are sensitive to heat; the flavor is more about smokiness than pure fire.
Nutrition per serving
Estimated values based on standard ingredients.
Nutrition info is provided as a general guide. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredient brands and portion sizes.
