Tinga de Pollo

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Total time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4–6 servings

Country of Origin

Mexico (Puebla)

Description

Tinga de Pollo is a flavorful central Mexican dish made of shredded chicken breast simmered in a smoky, sweet-savory sauce composed of tomatoes, sliced onions, and chipotle chilies in adobo.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Tinga is famously served mounded high on top of crispy corn tostadas smeared with refried beans, drizzled with Mexican crema, and sprinkled with crumbled queso fresco and sliced avocado.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast

• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced into half-moons

• 4 ripe tomatoes, quartered

• 2–3 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce (plus 2 tbsp adobo liquid)

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

• 1/2 cup chicken broth

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• Salt, to taste

• For Serving: Crispy corn tostadas, refried beans, Mexican crema, queso fresco, sliced avocado

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Blend Sauce Base: In a blender, combine quartered tomatoes, chipotle chilies in adobo, adobo liquid, garlic, oregano, cumin, chicken broth, and salt. Process until smooth.

2. Caramelize Onions: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions and sauté for 8–10 minutes until softened and translucent.

3. Simmer Sauce: Pour blended tomato-chipotle sauce into skillet with caramelized onions. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until sauce deepens in color.

4. Combine Chicken: Add shredded cooked chicken to pan. Stir until thoroughly coated in smoky sauce.

5. Cook Down: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, allowing chicken to absorb flavors and sauce to thicken.

6. Assemble: Spread refried beans on crispy tostadas, pile hot chicken tinga on top, and finish with cream, crumbled cheese, and avocado.

Optional

• Pork Tinga: Substitute shredded pork shoulder or beef for chicken.

Cooking Tips

• Control Heat Level: Adjust chipotle count; 1 chipotle pepper gives mild smokiness, while 3–4 peppers create a true fiery sauce.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, based on a 5-serving breakdown without tostadas)

Calories: ~260 kcal

Total Fat: 9g

Saturated Fat: 2g

Cholesterol: 70mg

Sodium: 420mg

Total Carbohydrates: 11g

Dietary Fiber: 2.5g

Sugars: 5g

Protein: 32g