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–+ servings
Tinga de pollo recipe.

Tinga de pollo

author Maricruz Avalos
4
Tinga de pollo (chicken tinga) is a delicious and budget-friendly recipe that features shredded chicken simmered in a delicious tomato sauce.
prep 20 minutes
cook 1 hour
total 1 hour 15 minutes
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Ingredients 
Cups (US) - Metric

For cooking the chicken

  • 2 medium chicken breasts
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 small carrot
  • 1 leek (cut into pieces)
  • 1 garlic clove (skin on)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt

For the sauce

  • 1 lb ripe tomatoes
  • 2-3 guajillo chilies
  • 1 garlic clove (peeled)
  • 1 tsp powered mixed spices (cumin, thyme, oregano)
  • 2 chipotle chilies in adobo (or more, to taste)

For tinga

  • 2 medium white onion (sliced)
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

Prep the chicken

  • Place chicken, onion, carrots, leek, garlic, bay leaf and salt in a cooking pot. Cover the ingredients with water and boil until the meat is cooked through.
  • Place cooked chicken in a bowl and shredded it with two forks while is still hot.
  • Strain chicken stock and set aside.

Make the chipotle sauce.

  • In a pot place tomatoes and guajillo chilies. Add water and boil over medium heat until tomatoes are cooked through (about 10 minutes).
  • Allow tomatoes to slightly cool down, then place them in a blender with guajillo chilies, garlic, the spices mix, and chipotle chilies.
  • Pour in a cup of chicken stock, then blend until you’ll have a smooth sauce. Set aside.

Make the tinga

  • Heat the oil in a large cooking pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring constantly, until slightly soft and transparent (about 5 minutes).
  • Add shredded chicken and mix well.
  • Pour over the chipotle sauce, then add a cup of chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Mix well and allow chicken tinga to cook for about 20 minutes while stirring from time to time until onions are cooked through and there’s almost not liquids in the pan.

Notes

  • To cook the meat for chicken tinga, you can use whatever cooking method is convenient for you, from instant/pressure pot, slow cooker pot, or a traditional stove. Just make sure the ingredients have enough liquid to be covered all the time.
  • You can also use a rotisserie chicken for this recipe, or what about Thanksgiving turkey leftovers? Those are perfect too!
  • Don't slice onions too thin because they will disintegrate when cooking with the sauce.
  • You can find canned chipotles en adobo chilies in Amazon and Mexican grocery stores. Otherwise, use 1 tablespoon of smoky paprika instead.
  • Adjust spiciness to your liking by adding more/less chipotle chilies.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 912mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 4279IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg
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