Easy Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga Recipe for Zesty Homemade Meals

Crafting a mouthwatering smoky chipotle chicken tinga promises to revolutionize your dinner routine with bold, vibrant flavors.

Authentic mexican cuisine brings incredible depth to your kitchen adventures.

Tender shredded chicken bathes in a rich, spicy sauce that dances between smoky and tangy notes.

Each bite tells a story of traditional cooking techniques blended with modern culinary creativity.

Peppers and tomatoes meld into a complex sauce that makes your taste buds sing with excitement.

Unexpected ingredients spark joy and bring warmth to your dining experience.

You’ll find this recipe becomes an instant favorite that sparks conversation around the table.

Why Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga Packs Bold Flavor

• Spice Up Your Meal: Dive into a flavor explosion with smoky chipotle and guajillo peppers that transform ordinary chicken into a taste adventure.
• Customize with Ease: Build personalized tostadas by layering creamy beans, tender chicken, and a variety of fresh toppings that let everyone create their perfect bite.
• Master Mexican Cuisine: Learn an authentic technique for creating a classic Mexican dish that impresses friends and family with professional-level cooking skills.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Prepare a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps that guarantee delicious results.

Ingredients Needed For Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: A tender and juicy protein that forms the base of this flavorful Mexican dish.

• Guajillo Peppers: Dried chilies that add a deep, rich, and slightly tangy flavor to the sauce.
• Chipotle Peppers: Smoked jalapeños that provide a smoky and spicy kick to the dish.
• Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes that create a smooth and vibrant sauce base.

Supporting Ingredients:

• Onions, Garlic: Provide a foundational savory and aromatic base for the sauce.
• Oregano, Thyme, Cumin: Classic herbs and spices that enhance the depth and complexity of the Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and sharpness to the overall seasoning.

• Chicken Stock: Helps to create a rich and moist sauce for the chicken.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding a smooth cooking base.
• Tostada Shells: Crispy corn tortillas that serve as the foundation for serving the chicken.
• Creamy Beans: Provide a smooth and creamy layer on the tostada.

• Lettuce, Avocado, Pickled Onions, Crema, Queso Fresco: Fresh and tangy toppings that add texture, color, and additional flavor layers to the dish.

How To Make Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga Easily

Step 1: Boil Tomatoes

Drop tomatoes into a pot, cover completely with water, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for 10 minutes until softened.

Step 2: Steep Guajillo Peppers

Add guajillo peppers to the hot water. Remove from heat and let ingredients rest for 10 minutes to soften and release flavors.

Step 3: Create Sauce Base

• Guajillo chilies
• Chipotle peppers
• Oregano
• Cumin
• Garlic
• Thyme
• Black pepper
• Chicken stock

Blend until completely smooth and set aside.

Step 4: Sauté Onions

Heat olive oil in a large cooking pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until they become soft and translucent, approximately 4 minutes.

Step 5: Cook Chicken

Introduce shredded chicken to the pan and cook for 1 minute, allowing it to absorb initial flavors.

Step 6: Simmer Chicken Tinga

Pour blended sauce into the pan, season with salt, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and reduces.

Step 7: Assemble Tostadas

Spread creamy beans on tostada shells and top with the prepared chicken tinga.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

• Shredded lettuce
• Sliced avocado
• Pickled onions
• Crema
• Queso fresco

Serve immediately and enjoy your smoky chipotle chicken tinga.

Handy Cooking Tips For Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga

• Swap guajillo peppers with ancho chilies for a milder, sweeter flavor profile if you prefer less heat.
• Roast tomatoes beforehand to enhance their smoky depth and intensify the overall sauce complexity.
• Make the dish gluten-free by using corn tostadas and ensuring all spices are certified gluten-free.
• Prepare chicken tinga in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and meld together.
• Consider using rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut that saves time without compromising taste, perfect for busy weeknight meals.

Ways To Add Variety To Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga

• Veggie Tinga Delight: Replace chicken with roasted portobello mushrooms or cauliflower florets for a hearty vegetarian version that maintains the rich, smoky flavor profile.
• Seafood Tinga Fusion: Swap chicken with sautéed shrimp or white fish, creating a coastal-inspired alternative that preserves the signature chipotle sauce.
• Pork Tinga Classic: Use slow-cooked, tender pulled pork instead of chicken, offering a traditional Mexican alternative that highlights the robust sauce's complexity.
• Quick Instant Pot Tinga: Streamline the cooking process by preparing the entire dish in an electric pressure cooker, reducing total preparation time while maintaining authentic taste and texture.

Good Pairings For Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga

• Pair Smoky Mexican Merlot: Rich, full-bodied red wine with smoky undertones that complement the chipotle's deep flavors and match the chicken tinga's robust profile.
• Serve Crisp Cucumber Margarita: Refreshing cocktail with tequila, cucumber, and lime that cuts through the dish's spiciness and provides a cool, zesty counterpoint.
• Create Mexican Street Corn Salad: Creamy, tangy side dish with grilled corn, cotija cheese, and chili powder that echoes the recipe's Mexican heritage and adds textural contrast.
• Recommend Horchata Drink: Sweet, creamy rice beverage that soothes the palate and balances the chicken tinga's spicy, smoky notes while offering a traditional Mexican beverage experience.

How To Keep Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga Fresh Longer

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken tinga in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Transfer chicken tinga to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Microwave Reheat: Place chicken tinga in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Stovetop Reheat: Pour chicken tinga into a skillet, add a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying, and warm over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs About Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga

• What are guajillo peppers?

Guajillo peppers are mild to medium-hot dried red chilies from Mexico, commonly used in traditional Mexican sauces and marinades, with a slightly sweet and tangy flavor profile.

• Can I use different types of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or leftover roasted chicken. Shredded chicken works best for achieving the authentic tinga texture.

• Is chicken tinga spicy?

Chicken tinga has a moderate heat level due to chipotle and guajillo peppers. The spiciness can be adjusted by reducing or increasing the number of peppers used in the sauce.

Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40-44 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Fiery Smoky Chipotle Chicken Tinga brings Mexican street flavors straight to your kitchen, blending bold spices with tender shredded chicken. Drizzled with fresh crema and nestled in warm tortillas, this dish promises a mouthwatering journey through authentic Mexican cuisine you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 4 cups (945 ml) cooked chicken breasts (shredded)

Chilies and Aromatics:

• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2–3 guajillo chilies (stems and seeds removed)
• 1 large onion (sliced)
• 1 clove garlic (peeled)

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 pound (454 g) tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

For Tostadas:

• Tostada shells (crispy corn tortillas)
• Refried beans (canned or homemade)
• Lettuce (shredded)
• Pickled onions
• Mexican crema (or sour cream)
• Queso fresco (or any cheese you prefer)

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Instructions

1. Submerge whole tomatoes in a pot of water, bringing to a rolling boil for 10 minutes to soften and prepare for blending.
2. Add guajillo peppers to the hot water, remove from heat, and allow ingredients to steep and rehydrate for 10 minutes.
3. Carefully peel the boiled tomatoes and transfer to a blender, combining with rehydrated guajillo chilies, smoky chipotle peppers, aromatic herbs, and spices to create a vibrant sauce base.
4. Pour chicken stock into the blender, processing until the mixture achieves a smooth, consistent texture.
5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, sautéing onions until they become translucent and slightly softened, approximately 4 minutes.
6. Incorporate shredded chicken into the pan, quickly warming and integrating with the caramelized onions.
7. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, seasoning with salt, and allow the mixture to simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring intermittently until the sauce thickens and develops rich flavor complexity.
8. Construct tostadas by spreading a layer of creamy beans on crisp shells, then generously topping with the flavorful chicken tinga.
9. Complete the dish by garnishing with crisp shredded lettuce, creamy avocado slices, tangy pickled onions, drizzled crema, and crumbled queso fresco, serving immediately for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Choose ripe, red tomatoes for a deeper, sweeter sauce base that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Soak guajillo peppers longer for a more intense, robust chili flavor if you prefer a spicier dish.
• Adjust sauce consistency by simmering longer or adding more chicken stock to match your preferred thickness.
• Swap chicken with pulled jackfruit or tofu for a vegetarian version that maintains the smoky, spicy essence of the original recipe.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-34 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg