Smoky Chicken Tinga Tacos (Easy Weeknight Dinner!)
Chicken Tinga Tacos are the perfect meal to spice up your weeknight routine! Not only is this recipe for chicken tinga delicious, but it’s also quick and easy, so putting a satisfying meal on the table is no problem!
What are Chicken Tinga Tacos?
Chicken tinga is a traditional Mexican dish made with chicken stewed in a chipotle-tomato sauce. The word “tinga” is thought to come from the Nahuatl word “tictli,” meaning to stew. This dish originated in the Mexican state of Puebla and uses native ingredients like tomatoes and onions.
The flavor of chicken tinga comes from the perfect blend of smoky chipotles, savory tomatoes, and aromatic vegetables. Cooking shredded chicken in the sauce ensures every bite is rich and flavorful, as the sauce coats every piece of the chicken.
I live in a town with a large Hispanic population, and because of that, I’ve grown to love traditional Mexican food. From tacos to heart-warming menudo, the variety of dishes is incredible. My first experience with chicken tinga tacos was at a birthday party catered by a local Mexican restaurant.
The tacos were a huge hit, and I was inspired to try making them at home. Since then, I’ve made chicken tinga many times, and it’s one of my favorite tacos.
Now that you know what chicken tinga is, it’s time to make it! The ingredients are easy to find and affordable, and the dish only takes 30 minutes to prepare. You’ll want to make it again and again to savor the authentic taste of chicken tinga.
Ingredients for Chicken Tinga
Shredded Chicken – Poached and shredded chicken is the protein in this tinga recipe. You can cook some for this recipe very easily, but I usually use leftovers from recipes like the Perfect Shoyu Ramen Stock.
Tomatoes – Tomatoes are the base for the sauce, and provide a sweet and umami flavor when cooked. I’ve used both fresh and canned tomatoes for chicken tinga, and it does not make a large difference in the end, so I usually use canned.
Chipotles in Adobo – Chipotles in Adobo consist of smoked jalapenos packed in a rich vinegary sauce, which are the key to the chicken tinga’s signature smokiness and spiciness, so do not substitute them. Not only are they little flavor bombs, but they’re relatively cheap and can provide tons of flavor to several dishes. So I recommend buying multiple cans to have on hand. Of course, if you can’t find them in your local supermarket, you can always buy them on Amazon.
Onion – Onion provides a great aroma to several dishes, including this one. Sauteing them in oil first spreads their flavor throughout the dish.
Garlic – Garlic gives the tomato sauce an extra dimension of flavor, so use plenty of it! Also, be sure to add the garlic after cooking the onion, no burnt garlic!
Dried Oregano – Adds a subtle herbaceous note to the sauce.
Toppings for Chicken Tinga
Yellow or White Corn Tortillas – Yellow or white both work fine, I usually use yellow because the color pops more, but it doesn’t really matter. In my opinion, corn is always the way to go for a good taco.
Cotija Cheese – Cotija cheese is a traditional Mexican cheese, and is a top competitor for my favorite cheese. I love its strong, salty flavor and creamy mouthfeel. If you can’t find cotija, queso fresco or feta are the best substitutes.
Fresh Cilantro – Mexican cuisine uses cilantro often, and in several different ways. In this recipe, it’s a simple topping.
Pickled Red Onion – Pickled red onions add a pop of color and acid to tacos. Plus, they’re SUPER easy to make and keep in the fridge for a long time.
Salsa Verde – Salsa Verde and Salsa Roja are the two quintessential Mexican salsas. For this recipe, I prefer the milder and brighter flavored salsa verde.
Fresh Lime Wedges – A squeeze of fresh citrus takes so many dishes to the next level.
Steps Overview for Chicken Tinga
Step 1- Blend the Sauce
Use a blender to puree the tomatoes and chipotle.
Step 2 – Saute the Onions
Cook onions until soft and translucent.
Step 3 – Add the Garlic
Add garlic to make an aromatic flavor base.
Step 4 – Saute The Chicken
Briefly cook the shredded chicken with the aromatics.
Step 5 – Combine the Chicken and the Sauce
Cook the chicken in the sauce for the flavors to envelop the chicken.
Step 6 – Assemble the Tacos
Combine hot tortillas, chicken, cilantro, onion, and cotija to make the best 30-minute tacos of your life.
What to Serve With Chicken Tinga Tacos
Want to turn your scrumptious tacos into a more complex meal? Look no further!
Simply Delicious Sofrito Black Beans
Smoky Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe
Time:
30 min.
Yield:
8 servings
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
Chicken Tinga
- 4-5 c. shredded chicken
- 2 tbsp. neutral high-heat oil (avocado, canola, vegetable, etc.)
- 300 grams (2 cups) of white onions, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp. of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
- 2-4 chipotles in adobo
- 2 tbsp. of soy sauce
Accompaniments
- Yellow or white corn tortillas, warmed in a pan/griddle
- 1 bunch of cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 block of cotija cheese, crumbled
- Pickled red onions
- Salsa verde
- A few fresh limes, cut into quarters.
Directions
- Empty the can of tomatoes (with all the juices from the can) and add the chipotles to a blender. Blend until smooth. Then, add salt to taste. Reserve for later.
2. Heat a large, high-walled pan, wok, or pot over medium-high heat, then pour in the oil. Add the diced onion and saute for around five minutes, until the onions are translucent and smell sweet.
3.. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 more minutes.
4. Add the shredded chicken to the pan/wok and mix it with the garlic and onions. Fry for about 1 1/2 minutes.
5. Cook for 10-15 minutes, After 10-15 minutes, the tomatoes should break down and the sauce should thicken slightly
Assembling the Tacos
- Take a warm corn tortilla, place a sizeable pile of juicy chicken tinga in the middle, sprinkle on some cotija, and add a few leaves of cilantro, some vibrant pickled onions, and salsa verde to your preference. Serve with fresh lime wedges and start stuffing yourself with real (delicious) tacos!
