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Authentic Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga (Tinga de Pollo)

Close-up of richly sauced, shredded chicken tinga piled high on a white plate.
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Make tender, smoky Chicken Tinga using your slow cooker. This recipe delivers the bold, authentic chipotle flavor perfect for tacos, tostadas, or meal prep.

Ingredients

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  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (adjust for spice preference)
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the can
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the basin of your slow cooker.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, sliced onion, minced garlic, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients well to create the tinga sauce.
  3. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Add the chicken broth.
  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and easily shredded.
  5. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken completely.
  6. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce until the chicken is fully coated.
  7. If the sauce seems too thin, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for the last 30 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
  8. Serve your flavorful shredded chicken hot over tostadas, in tacos, or as a filling for burritos.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, lightly sear the chicken breasts in olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker.
  • If you prefer a smoother sauce, carefully transfer the sauce mixture to a blender before pouring it over the chicken. Blend until smooth, then return to the slow cooker.
  • Serve this smoky chipotle chicken with toppings like avocado slices, crumbled cotija cheese, and thinly sliced red onion for a classic Mexican dinner experience.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/chicken-tinga-slow-cooker-recipe/