Tinga de Pollo (Chipotle Shredded Chicken)
Local name: Tinga de pollo
In short: Shredded chicken simmered with tomato, onion and smoky chipotle chiles, spooned onto crisp tostadas or tucked into tacos. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 400 kcal
Tinga is a saucy shredded chicken from Puebla, built on tomatoes, onion and smoky chipotle chiles in adobo. The chicken is poached first so the broth can flavor the sauce, and then it simmers in the tomato mixture until everything comes together. The result is smoky, tangy and a little spicy. Pile it on crisp tostadas with refried beans, lettuce, crema and cheese, or use it for tacos, tortas and quesadillas. It also reheats very well.
Instructions
- Put the chicken, onion, garlic, bay leaf and salt in a pot with the water. Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 20 minutes until cooked through (74°C/165°F). Lift out, cool briefly and shred. Keep 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the broth.
- Blend the tomatoes, garlic, chipotles, the adobo sauce and the reserved broth until smooth.
- Heat the oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Cook the sliced onion for 8 minutes, stirring, until soft and golden.
- Pour in the blended sauce, which will spatter, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until it darkens and thickens slightly.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, oregano and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes, until the sauce clings to the chicken. Taste and adjust the salt.
- Spread each tostada with refried beans, pile on the tinga and top with lettuce, crema, cheese and avocado if you like.
Tips
- Control the heat with the number of chipotles. One is mild, two gives a clear kick, and three is properly hot.
- Short on time? Use about 500 g (1.1 lb) of shredded leftover roast chicken and 120 ml (1/2 cup) of chicken stock, and skip the poaching.
Questions and answers
Is chicken tinga spicy?
It has medium heat from the chipotles. Use one chile for a mild version, and add the adobo sauce a spoonful at a time, tasting as you go.
What do you serve tinga with?
The classic way is on crisp tostadas. It is equally good in tacos, tortas, quesadillas or over rice, with beans and avocado on the side.
Can I freeze chicken tinga?
Yes, for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or stock.
How long does it take to make Tinga de Pollo (Chipotle Shredded Chicken)?
About 1 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tinga de Pollo (Chipotle Shredded Chicken)?
About 400 kcal per serving, with 35 g of protein, 30 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 760 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
