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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Chicken » Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga

Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga

by Sarah Olson on April 13, 2022 11 Comments

2914 shares
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Collage of chicken tinga images with text of what ingredients are needed.
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Chicken tinga is shredded chicken in a spicy sauce with onions and can be made right in your slow cooker! Try something new this week with this easy Mexican recipe.

We have a fun Mexican meal every week instead of dining out. We like to pair this meal with Refried Black Beans.

Chicken tinga in slow cooker with rice and salsa on the side.

Why this recipe works

Making chicken tinga in a slow cooker is a great way to save time and effort. Tinga is traditionally made with shredded meat, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices that are simmered together for hours. It can be served as an appetizer or main dish.

This recipe will show you how to make your own Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga so you can enjoy it anytime! The recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep work, so you have more time to enjoy your day.

What is chicken tinga?

  • Tinga originates in Puebla, Mexico. It’s made with shredded chicken simmered in a tomato and chipotle chile sauce. Sometimes called Tinga de Pollo.
  • This is a simple dish (though tastes very authentic) that you can customize with your favorite toppings.
  • For this slow cooker recipe, we will be cooking the raw chicken in the sauce, then shredding it.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for chicken adobo on table with text overlay
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts – Can use chicken thighs if you prefer.
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo – These are whole smoked peppers in adobo sauce in a can. Or use the diced versions that are found in a jar in the Mexican food section of the store.
  • Seasonings – Salt, pepper, dried leaf oregano.
  • Vegetables – Minced garlic, sliced yellow onion, and canned fire-roasted tomatoes.

Step-by-Step Directions

4 photo collage on how to make chicken tinga in the slow cooker

Step One – Add the chicken breasts.

Step Two – Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano over the chicken. Spread over the chipotle peppers.

Step Three – Add the sliced onions.

Step Four – Pour over the canned diced tomatoes. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours. Shred the chicken with two forks and serve!

done cooking chicken tinga in slow cooker before shreddeding

How to serve:

Chicken Tinga can be served any time of the day!

  • Breakfast – served over scrambled eggs and refried beans and warmed corn tortillas.
  • Lunch – add some avocado slices and scoop the mixture with tortilla chips
  • Dinner – enjoy as part of your Taco Tuesday plans or even serve on tostada shells. You can also serve it over rice or use it as a filling for chicken tinga burritos or quesadillas made with flour tortillas. Great with a squeeze of lime and Mexican crema.
shredded chicken tinga

How to store

Chicken tinga is an easy dish to prepare ahead of time. Simply cook it, allow it to cool, and then store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use!

To freeze:

  • Divide into family-sized portions (e.g., one serving per person) before freezing so that you can thaw individual servings as needed with minimal effort on your part.
  • Place each portion in a sealable container with at least ¼ inch of headspace without any additional liquids added—label containers with name and date when frozen, so it’s easy to identify later. Or you can use freezer ziplock bags.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months.
3 taco shells with chicken tinga and topping in them

What toppings should I use?

It takes just ten minutes of prep time before you let the slow cooker do its magic! The juicy chicken is cooked until tender so all that’s left to make are the toppings!

  • Pico De Gallo Salsa – My favorite recipe from Cookie and Kate
  • Diced avocado
  • Cilantro leaves
  • Sour Cream
  • Shredded Cheese – We like sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a whole chicken for chicken tinga?

You can use a whole chicken for chicken tinga. You will want to remove the chicken after cooking and remove the meat from the bones (this will be shredded meat). Add the chicken back to the sauce. You may want to degrease the sauce before serving, for a whole chicken can be greasy.

Is chicken tinga spicy?

Yes, chicken tinga can be spicy due to the chipotle peppers. You can lessen the heat by cutting the peppers in half.

Is chicken tinga keto?

Chicken tinga is lower in carbs though it’s not entirely carb-free. The carbs in the recipe come from tomatoes and onions.

Can I use a rotisserie chicken?

Yes, you can use an entire rotisserie chicken for chicken tinga. Add the chicken to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients of the recipe. You will want to cook until the onions are soft. About three hours on high or five hours on low.

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close up of shredded chicken tinga in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga Recipe

5 from 23 votes
Shredded chicken with smokey chipotle peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes and plenty of onion.
Print Pin Rate Share by Text
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours hours
Total Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 223kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 4 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced (these are found in a can in the Mexican section of the store)
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. dried leaf oregano (not ground) Use Mexican oregano if you have it.
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 14.5 oz. can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 sweet yellow onion sliced (see photos, I don't do these very long, I cut the sliced onions in half again)

Instructions:

  • Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker.
  • Spread over the chopped chipotle pepper in adobo over the chicken.
  • Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, oregano and garlic.
  • Pour over the fire-roasted tomatoes.
  • Add the sliced onions.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker.
  • Cook on HIGH For 4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours.
  • When the cooking time is done, shred the chicken. Do this by taking two forks and pulling the meat. You can do this right in the slow cooker.
  • Serve and enjoy!
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

 
How can I make this extra spicy? 
Add an extra chipotle pepper or add some more of the juices from the can.
How should I use this meat?
  • Tacos
  • Burritos
  • Nachos
  • Tostadas
  • Quesadillas
What toppings should I use for chicken tinga?
  • Pico De Gallo Salsa 
  • Diced avocado
  • Cilantro leaves
  • Sour Cream
  • Shredded Cheese – We like sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.
Can I use a rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can use an entire rotisserie chicken for chicken tinga. Add the chicken to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients of the recipe. You will want to cook until the onions are soft. About three hours on high or five hours on low.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 676mg | Potassium: 661mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 327IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More Slow Cooker Recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef
  • Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Refried Beans
  • Slow Cooker Mexican Bubble Up Casserole
  • Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Ohio Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

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    2914 shares
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    Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner

    Comments

    1. sandra Olney says

      June 7, 2022 at 3:31 am

      5 stars
      I have chicken tender loins can I use the Satay Marinade .vegs in the bottom of slow cooker onions etc ,brown chicken and then put tenderloins plus vegs then a jar of Satay sauce do you think it will be ok .Thank you Sandra Olney

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 7, 2022 at 7:38 am

        Yes, though that would be more of an Asain-style recipe.

        Reply
    2. Carol says

      May 17, 2022 at 6:20 am

      5 stars
      My husband and I had this at a restaurant in Sedona, AZ. It was so yummy that I had to find the recipe on Pinterest. I found your recipe and it was so delicious. I made the mistake by adding jalapeño’s which made it a bit too spicy. The flavor is amazing. Thank you.

      Reply
    3. Chris says

      September 11, 2021 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      Is this very spicy)

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        September 11, 2021 at 8:51 am

        Yes, chipotle peppers can be very spicy. You can cut them in half for less spice.

        Reply
    4. Margi says

      August 2, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      I’ll be making this later in the week and I have a jar of diced chipotles peppers in sauce. It’s 8.11 oz. so any idea on how much of this I would use? It’s a 40 minute drive to get anything else.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 2, 2021 at 3:32 pm

        I would do about 2 tablespoons.

        Reply
    5. Margaret says

      August 1, 2021 at 5:33 pm

      The ingredients list one yellow onion and one sweet yellow onion. Just want to make sure you use a total of two onions. Also steps 4 and 6 say add roasted tomatoes. Since the ingredients list shows only one can do you layer 1/2 a can then the other 1/2 or does it matter? Looks like a great recipe. Just want to make sure I make it correctly.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 1, 2021 at 8:53 pm

        Thank you for letting me know! Just one onion and one fire-roasted tomatoes. You can really put it in any way, it will bubble together.

        Reply
    6. Mariann S. says

      July 28, 2021 at 3:11 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely excellent! Huge hit in my home! Used the chicken tinga to make tacos. Will definitely make again and again. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    7. Cross says

      July 11, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      I have made these and my family loves them. I am definately making these again in the near future.

      Reply

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