Chicken Tinga Recipe or Tinga De Pollo is a classic shredded chicken taco or tostada filling prepared with sliced onions and a tomato chipotle sauce is a full-flavored crowd pleaser. It has a smoky flavor with just enough heat from the chipotle. This recipe is so good that you may want to make a double batch to keep in the freezer.

Chicken Tinga is exceptionally quick and easy to make in a matter of minutes and tossed in the best smoky, savory, slightly sweet tomato sauce.

Cook onions with olive oil, add chipotle and adobo sauce, tomato paste, chicken stock, and shredded chicken.

Serve this recipe in tacos, tostadas, burritos, quesadillas, or anything else you can think of. Eye-catching colors!

Weekend guests will be all smiles when they enter your home to the amazing aroma of this dish as you get it ready. Try serving it in tacos, burritos, quesadillas -- yum!

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Why You'll Love This Chicken Tinga
Ingredients For Your Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga
How To Make A Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga
What to Serve with Your Chicken Tinga
Popular Substitutions & Additions
How To Store Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga
Chicken Tinga FAQs
Other Appetizers Recipes You'll Love
Chicken Tinga Recipe
Chicken Tinga

Why You'll Love This Chicken Tinga

The ingredients are simple to come by.
A fun way to have an appetizer or snack.
Can be served for various occasions.
The ingredients are easy to find.
The recipe is easy to follow.

Looking for a delicious and easy chicken dish? Look no further than this authentic Mexican tinga de Pollo.

Tinga de pollo is made with shredded chicken, onion, and tomato, and it's quick and easy to prepare. You can serve it with tortillas or rice for a satisfying meal. So give this tasty dish a try today!

Ingredients For Your Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga

Shredded Chicken Breast
Olive Oil
Red Onion
Smoked Paprika
Chili Powder
Dried Oregano
Adobo
Ground Cumin
Salt
Chipotle Peppers
Tomato Sauce

How To Make A Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga

Step 1: Sauté

Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the onions and cook until translucent.

Blend them together with the remaining sauce ingredients.

Add the smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, adobo, cumin, salt, and chipotle peppers and stir to combine.

Cook for 1 minute. Cook until the sauce has reduced and it's fragrant.

Step 2: Toss the Chicken

Toss the sauce with the chicken for about 5 minutes or so, to help all those delicious flavors blend.

Step 3: Season

As always, don't forget to taste and season the chicken to see how much salt and pepper it needs.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

In the last step, serve the chicken warm however you would like, garnished with lots of fresh toppings. Serve and enjoy.

What to Serve with Your Chicken Tinga

Sides

This is the perfect appetizer or snack. It is easy to prepare which makes it ideal to serve for any occasion. Serve with tacos, tostadas, burritos, quesadillas and more.

Desserts

The savory taste of Chicken Tinga goes well with any dessert that you will pair with it.

Cocktails

This recipe is a popular option to go well with any type of cocktail.

Popular Substitutions & Additions

To counteract the savory and smokey flavor of the dish, try adding a dash of honey.

This may be unconventional to the traditional Chicken Tinga, but the honey adds a flair of flavor to the dish.

Tinga is generally seasoned with ground cumin, Mexican oregano, and, on rare occasions, bay leaf.

The Mexican oregano gives the sauce a little extra citrus and licorice flavor, but if you don't have any, regular (Italian) oregano would suffice.

How To Store Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga

Best Way To Store Chicken Tinga Leftover

This dish is the perfect choice for a meal that can be made in advance and is easily reheated for a quick dinner for your family.

Allow the leftovers to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

How Long Will Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga Last In the Fridge?

Chicken Tinga is very simple to whip up with chicken and canned tomatoes as the base, which makes it a great dish for beginners.

This recipe will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Pro tip: Make a double batch, freeze this dish, and you've got yourself a quick go-to meal on those busy nights.

Can I Freeze Chicken Tinga

Leftover Chicken Tinga can be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Can I Reheat Chicken Tinga

Gently reheat the Chicken Tinga in a large pot over medium heat until warmed through, adding splashes of broth or water if it becomes too thick, it can also be reheated in the microwave.

Chicken Tinga FAQs

Is it possible for me to prepare this ahead of time?

Yes. Chop the peppers and onions.

Store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook, up to 1 day in advance, and when ready to prepare, finish cooking as directed. You may also shred the chicken in advance, then add it off when cooking with other ingredients.

Is it possible to freeze it?

Yes. Chicken Tinga freezes extremely well and is ideal for last-minute preparations. Allow it to cool before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for 3 months, covered.

Is Chicken Tinga healthy?

Chicken is high in protein, which helps keep you full and your body strong. You can make it healthier by swapping chicken with tofu instead.

Can I add toppings to my Chicken Tinga?

Yes. You are free to add any toppings you like.

For extra creamy and healthier texture, try adding chopped avocado on top and lime wedges to garnish. Some add beans, tomatoes, and even corn on top.

Can I add tofu to my Chicken Tinga?

Yes. For vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike, tofu is safe to consume on a daily basis. This delicious plant-based protein may be added to this dish and is a great meat substitute for vegans.

Other Appetizers Recipes You'll Love

Aside from tasty quick and easy Chicken Tinga, you may try these fun and exciting recipes below:

Whether you're looking for a new go-to recipe to add some variety to your Taco Tuesday nights or you want something special to take to a potluck, this Chicken Tinga is sure to be a hit.

The smoky, slightly spicy flavor is perfect for satisfying any cravings.

So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!

Chicken Tinga Recipe

If you get a chance to try it, let us know! Leave us a comment below, or share it with a picture on Instagram or Facebook!

Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga (Authentic Mexican Tinga De Pollo)

Why You'll Love This Chicken Tinga

Ingredients For Your Quick and Easy Chicken Tinga