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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Main Dishes » Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga

    January 22, 2021 By Danielle Esposti 4 Comments

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

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    Tacos and burritos and bowls, oh my! Smoky Chicken Tinga is a revelation for both its flavor and its versatility. This tender, juicy shredded chicken, slow-cooked in a bold sauce of tomatoes, garlic, and chipotles in adobo, can be served any way you want, to fit almost any diet. Build a savory sundae bar with your favorite taco toppings for unlimited options – and happy bellies.

    Three chicken tinga tacos in corn tortillas with cilantro and queso fresco on a white plate.
    Jump to:
    • What is Chicken Tinga?
    • Chicken Tinga Tacos
    • How to Warm Tortillas
    • Chicken Tinga Bowls
    • Traditional Slow Cooker vs. Instant Pot Crockpot Function
    • Storing and Reheating
    • More Healthy Mexican Recipes
    • Recipe


    I remember when Chipotle (the restaurant) became a thing. I remember when specific locations opened and I remember dressing up like a burrito on Halloween to get a free burrito there. It was pretty darn revolutionary (at the time). But you know what my big problem with Chipotle is? Not enough chipotle.

    Their website even has this whole screed that states “What’s Chipotle without chipotles? The short answer, not Chipotle.” Chipotle (the dried, smoked jalapeno pepper) is a word you can taste. Smell, even. That signature smokiness. The heat. The big burst of flavor. And know what? If I walk into a Chipotle, I get more sensation from saying the word than I do eating their food. I’m not saying it’s not tasty, I’m saying it’s not chipotley.

    Thankfully, my tacobsession has led me down many a delicious path – Chicken Tinga being just one of those. This dish is nothing if not chipotle-forward. Aside from the deep, layered smoky flavor, you’re in for an absolute treat when it comes to the chicken. Moist and tender, this slow-cooked, shredded chicken may just take the place of grilled strips in your taco prep pantheon. If you’ve never had Chicken Tinga before, be prepared to make room for a new go-to.

    What is Chicken Tinga?

    A popular Mexican dish of shredded chicken in a flavorful sauce made from tomatoes and chipotle chilis in adobo. (For the purposes of this recipe, we’re using adobo sauce, not the dry spice blend.)

    Many recipes start with shredded chicken – while convenient (and quick!) if you have it on hand, you’re staring down a two-step process if you don’t. Cooking chicken tinga in the slow cooker means (1) absolutely moist and tender chicken and (2) chicken that is infused with flavor from the very first step.

    A collage showing how to make chicken tinga in the crockpot.

    Chicken Tinga Tacos

    • It’s the perfect vehicle for traditional taco toppings. Come prepared with avocado (or guac), shredded lettuce, tomato (or pico), cilantro, queso fresco or cotija cheese, sour cream, cilantro… even radishes!
    • This chicken will totally work in a tostada or a burrito as well. Serve it how you like it!

    Psst…this recipe is also available as a story! 

    How to Warm Tortillas

    Corn tortillas are best served fresh (life-changing, I promise) and warmed with dry heat on the stove.

    1. Heat up a skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat.
    2. Prep a bowl or basket with a very slightly damp towel while the pan is heating.
    3. Warm the tortilla for 15-30 seconds max on each side.
    4. Wrap your tortillas in the damp towel to cover and keep warm until serving.

    Remember: Corn tortillas and flour tortillas behave very differently because of gluten, or the lack thereof, so always cook with your hands, eyes, and nose.

    Chicken Tinga Bowls

    Minding your carbs? Going grain free? Then take a page from the Chipotle (the restaurant) playbook and turn chicken tinga tacos into chicken tinga bowls with just a few tweaks to make them Whole30 or Keto compliant.

    Serve over cauliflower rice and shredded lettuce with tomato, avocado, and any other diet-friendly toppings. I highly recommend using my Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice recipe for extra flavor.

    Left - chicken tinga tacos on a cream colored plate; right - healthy chicken tinga bowl with cauliflower rice.

    Traditional Slow Cooker vs. Instant Pot Crockpot Function

    If you don’t have a crockpot and are using the slow-cook function on your Instant Pot, be mind of moisture – the Instant Pot provides a much tighter seal than a traditional slow cooker, which results in a lot less evaporation as the chicken cooks. Without any adjustments, your sauce will probably be more watery than you want it to be. You can adapt this recipe a couple different ways:

    (1) Skip the chicken broth. The chicken breasts will release plenty of water content, and combined with the crushed tomatoes, the sauce should be the perfect consistency.

    (2) Siphon off some of the excess moisture about halfway through. You’ll then have to wait until until the pot steams off so you can reseal.

    Storing and Reheating

    • Store up to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
    • For reheating, warm on the stove over low heat to avoid cooking the chicken any further, using just a splash of chicken broth if you need added moisture.
    • Chicken Tinga will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months in a freezer bag. (Don’t forget to squeeze the air out!)
    • Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. For quick defrost, submerge the sealed ziploc in cold water until the water comes to room temperature. Repeat the process until chicken is thawed.

    More Healthy Mexican Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
    • Mexican Cauliflower Rice
    • Instant Pot Chili
    • Spicy Chicken Taco Soup
    • Mexican Stuffed Peppers
    Slow cooker chicken tinga over cauliflower rice and shredded lettuce, topped with tomato and avocado, in a bowl on a concrete background.

    Did you make this Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Three chicken tinga tacos in corn tortillas with cilantro and queso fresco on a white plate.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga (Bowls or Tacos)

    5 from 1 vote
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Heat up Taco Tuesdays with Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga. Layer onions and seasoned chicken breasts in your crockpot. Mix the tinga sauce in your blender using fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic, smoky chipotle chiles and adobo sauce, and pour over your chicken. Slow cook your chicken and shred in the sauce once finished. Serve up warm in fresh tortillas or diet-friendly bowls with cauliflower rice.
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 4 hrs
    Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
    Servings : 8
    Calories: 166

    Recommended Equipment

    • Crockpot
    • Blender

    Ingredients

    • 1 large white onion, sliced
    • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 tsp oregano, mexican oregano if available
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • ½ tsp ground pepper
    • 14- oz can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
    • ½ c chicken broth
    • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
    • 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo
    • 1 tbsp adobo sauce
    • 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce, or coconut aminos (for Whole30)
    • Cauliflower rice, for serving
    • Corn tortillas, for serving

    Toppings

    • Sliced avocado
    • Shredded lettuce
    • Queso fresco
    • Pico or salsa
    • Sliced radishes
    • Cilantro

    Instructions

    • Layer the onions over the bottom of the slow cooker. Nestle the chicken breasts onto the onions, then season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
      Top - sliced onions in a slow cooker; bottom - chicken breasts atop onions in a slow cooker.
    • Combine the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Pour the tinga sauce over the chicken breasts.
      Pouring tinga sauce over chicken breasts in a slow cooker.
    • Seal the slow cooker, then program to HIGH 3-4 hours, or LOW 6-8 hours.
      Cooked chicken tinga in a slow cooker before being shredded.
    • Shred the chicken in the pot, then toss with the sauce until evenly coated.
      Top - shredded chicken tinga in the bowl of a slow cooker; bottom - tongs holding chicken tinga over a crockpot.
    • Chicken tinga bowls: serve over cauliflower rice and shredded lettuce, with desired toppings.
      Slow cooker chicken tinga over cauliflower rice and shredded lettuce, topped with tomato and avocado, in a bowl on a concrete background.
    • Chicken tinga tacos: serve in warmed tortillas, with desired toppings.
      Three chicken tinga tacos in corn tortillas with cilantro and queso fresco on a white plate.

    Notes

    Nutritional information reflects chicken tinga only; tortillas, cauliflower rice, and/or toppings not included.

    Nutrition Information

    Serving: 4oz (cooked), Calories: 166kcal (8%), Carbohydrates: 6g (2%), Protein: 25g (50%), Fat: 3g (5%), Saturated Fat: 1g (5%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 71mg (24%), Sodium: 404mg (17%), Potassium: 23mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 3g (3%), Vitamin A: 7% (7%), Vitamin C: 12% (12%), Calcium: 4% (4%), Iron: 7% (7%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    4 Comments
    Filed Under: Keto, Main Dishes, Paleo, Slow Cooker, Whole30 Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. J. Summers

      July 11, 2021 at 12:02 am

      5 stars
      This was just like the hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. The Slow Cooker Tinga Chicken tacos were amazing!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 20 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Meal Prep Sunday | The Everygirl says:
      September 21, 2022 at 5:25 pm

      […] 3. Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga […]

      Reply
    2. 30 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Meal-Prep Sunday | DotFM.USa says:
      September 25, 2022 at 11:04 am

      […] 3. Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga […]

      Reply
    3. 30 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Meal-Prep Sunday - vamaindia.in says:
      September 25, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      […] Source: Our Salty Kitchen […]

      Reply

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