Chicken Tinga

You’ll love this Instant Pot chicken tinga recipe – tender shredded chicken in a smoky and spicy tomato chipotle sauce – hit your protein goals with a flavorful meal that packs a punch!

Have you ever started a recipe and you knew right away that your family would love it?

I had that feeling about this Instant Pot Chicken Tinga, and I was right.

Not only does my family love this dish, but they ask for it ALL THE TIME!

I’m happy to add it to the meal plan because when you cook with the Instant Pot, dinner practically makes itself.

If you’re looking for something different to make on Taco Tuesday, or just something quick and easy on a busy weeknight, chicken tinga is the answer!

What is chicken tinga?

Tinga de pollo is a traditional dish from Puebla, Mexico. It combines a blend of flavors from Spanish and indigenous influences. Chicken tinga is shredded chicken cooked in a spicy tomato-based sauce. This recipe uses fire-roasted tomatoes, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, onions, and spices.

INSTANT POT CHICKEN TINGA

This Instant Pot chicken tinga recipe is:

• So easy. Just dump and go!
• Freezer-friendly. Make a batch for tonight, and another for the freezer for later.
• Versatile. Any cut of chicken will work, even if it’s frozen!
• Excellent as leftovers. Make more tinga tacos, or change it up with burrito bowls, nachos, quesadillas, or even chicken enchiladas (use tinga chicken instead).
• Protein-packed. Chicken is one of my favorite protein options, and a serving of chicken tinga will definitely help you hit your protein goals.
• Naturally gluten-free and low-carb, plus it’s flavorful and delicious!

CHICKEN TINGA RECIPE INGREDIENTS

Aside from the chicken itself, you can make this quick and easy chicken tinga recipe with pantry staples.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs. You can use whatever cut of chicken you have on hand (see notes below for cooking times).
• Onion. Yellow or red onion works well with this chicken tinga recipe.
• Garlic. Fresh garlic cloves are best here.
• Canned Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. The fire-roasted version adds a smoky depth to the flavor of the sauce here, so try not to skip it!
• Spices. Salt, oregano, cumin, clove, bay leaf – all spices you likely already have in your pantry.
• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce. Two chipotle peppers give just enough kick to the tinga sauce. It’s not super spicy, but if it’s too hot for you, just use one. Want to kick it up a notch? Use three. Note that this is two SINGLE peppers, not two cans (unless you want it super spicy)!
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Here’s how to make your own. White vinegar would work in a pinch.

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST MEXICAN CHICKEN TINGA

Step 1: Combine all the ingredients except the chicken in a blender and puree until smooth.

Step 2: Pour the tinga sauce mixture into the Instant Pot and add the chicken, trying to submerge as much of the chicken as possible.

Step 3: Place the lid on the Instant Pot, turn the pressure valve to “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 9 minutes (*see notes below for cooking times for different cuts of chicken). Do a quick pressure release after the cooking time is complete.

Step 4: Shred chicken tinga using two forks (or you can use this KitchenAid stand mixer hack!), stir the shredded cooked chicken into the sauce, and serve!

Store leftover chicken tinga in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

MEXICAN CHICKEN TINGA RECIPE COOKING TIMES

The cooking time will depend on the type of chicken you use and whether it’s raw or frozen.

• Fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts: 9 minutes
• Fresh boneless skinless chicken thighs: 9 minutes
• Fresh chicken drumsticks or bone-in chicken thighs: 10 minutes

For any bone-in chicken, wait 5 minutes for the pressure to naturally release before venting to release the rest of the pressure.

If you start with frozen chicken, add 5 minutes to the listed cooking time.​​ Both fresh and frozen chicken work for this recipe, but frozen needs a longer cooking time. Since you’re using pieces instead of a whole frozen chicken, add 5 minutes to the cooking time. For example, frozen chicken drumsticks would cook for 15 minutes, followed by a 5-minute natural pressure release.

DIFFERENT COOKING METHODS FOR CHICKEN TINGA RECIPE

Slow Cooker: If your Instant Pot is busy making Instant Pot Spanish Rice or Fajita Veggies, you can use a slow cooker for this Mexican chicken tinga recipe. Cook the chicken tinga on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.

Stovetop: If you want to make chicken tinga on the stovetop, you’ll still blend the sauce in the blender, but from there you’ll combine the sauce and chicken in a medium pan. Bring it to medium-high heat, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cover it with a lid until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

CHICKEN TINGA RECIPE TIPS

Try different cuts of chicken: I like to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for chicken tinga, but you can use chicken breasts or chicken cutlets. Chicken drumsticks and bone-in skin-on thighs would work too, but personally, I’d remove the skin from both cuts of chicken before cooking and remove the bones from the chicken pieces after cooking and before shredding the meat.

A rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken isn’t quite what we want for this recipe. Letting the chicken cook in the seasonings and sauce is what gives it its deep flavor. 

I tend to get my chicken for tinga from Costco, but if you aren’t able to find quality chicken locally, check out Butcher Box. Butcher Box delivers grass-fed beef, pasture-raised and organic chicken, and heritage pork directly to your front door each month. You can read my honest review of Butcher Box here and how to make Butcher Box worth the cost here.

Cook a double batch: This chicken tinga recipe easily makes enough for dinner plus a few lunches, but it’s the perfect recipe to double in the Instant Pot! The cooking time will stay the same, but it will take longer to come to pressure and for the pressure to release. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator if you’ll use them that week or store them in the freezer for a crazy fast dinner in the future!

Prep a double batch: You can also prep a double batch and put half in a resealable bag in the freezer before cooking for an easy dump-and-go dinner in the future.

THE BEST WAY TO SERVE CHICKEN TINGA

This recipe makes yummy authentic chicken tinga tacos: Simply tuck it into a Corn Tortilla, top it with Lime Crema (or sour cream) and Guacamole, and serve Citrus Black Beans or Refried Beans on the side. That’s a delicious, frugal meal that will probably give you plenty of leftovers too!

But to really take this chicken tinga tacos recipe over the top, I recommend making your own chicken tinga tostadas! Not only is it AMAZING, but it’s a fun variation for taco night that your family will be asking for over and over again! It’s definitely my favorite way to eat it!

Follow these instructions:

1. Cook Corn Tortillas on a griddle until they’re crispy like tostada shells.
2. Top each tortilla with a smear of Homemade Guacamole or smashed avocado.
3. Place a small scoop of Cilantro Lime Coleslaw on the guacamole.
4. Top the coleslaw with chicken tinga and a pinch of cotija cheese and serve with more cilantro lime coleslaw on the side!

PROTEIN PACKED CHICKEN TINGA

Since this chicken tinga recipe is simply chicken with a tomato-based sauce, you’ll get most of your calories from protein – around 39g per serving!

Once you add in your side dishes, you’ll easily be able to hit your protein goals for the meal. And you can make it fit with your macros by choosing how to serve it.

• Lime Crema or Guacamole add healthy fats.
• Corn tortillas, rice, or beans on the side add carbohydrates, or keep it low-carb by making a big chicken tinga salad.
• And it’s easy to add produce with slaw, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, or fajita veggies.

Want to learn more about macros, nutrition goals, and accurately tracking what you eat? Grab my free guide here to start achieving your real body goals by eating the foods you love.

CHICKEN TINGA FAQS

MORE YUMMY INSTANT POT CHICKEN RECIPES

• Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
• Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
• How to Make Chicken Wings in the Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Chicken Breast (From Frozen!)
• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
• How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot