Experience a culinary delight with our incredible Chicken Tinga Tacos! Each bite offers a harmonious blend of smoky, spicy shredded chicken, perfectly charred tortillas, creamy guacamole, and zesty pickled onions. This recipe promises an explosion of authentic Mexican flavors, making it an instant favorite for any meal.
Looking for the perfect side dish to complement your Chicken Tinga Tacos? Fresh corn is always a winner! We highly recommend this easy grilled bacon corn salad or classic Elote (Mexican street corn) for a truly satisfying meal.
Author’s Culinary Journey
Elevate Your Taco Night Experience!
Like many families, taco night is a cherished tradition in my household. My boys constantly request our go-to Rotisserie Chicken Tacos—sometimes even multiple times a week! While I adore their simplicity and speed, thanks to the convenience of store-bought rotisserie chicken, I also love to explore new flavors and add variety to our meals.
Driven by a desire to innovate while still satisfying those undeniable taco cravings, I began experimenting with different sauces and spice combinations. It was during these culinary adventures that the magnificent Chicken Tinga Tacos were born. This recipe quickly transitioned from an experiment to a firm family favorite, proving to be a perfect blend of comfort and vibrant flavor.
These spicy shredded chicken tacos have graced our dinner table countless times over the past few months. I often prepare a double batch, ensuring I have delicious leftovers for lunches throughout the week. Not only are they incredibly hearty and satisfying, but the rich, complex flavor of the tinga sauce truly deepens and improves with time, making them an excellent choice for meal prepping. Get ready to transform your regular taco night into an extraordinary feast!
What Exactly Are Chicken Tinga Tacos?
Chicken Tinga is a classic Mexican dish originating from Puebla, Mexico. It typically features shredded chicken simmered in a rich, smoky, and slightly spicy sauce made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, and most importantly, chipotle peppers in adobo. These peppers lend a distinctive smoky heat that defines the dish. When served in warm tortillas with fresh toppings, it transforms into an unforgettable taco experience. Our recipe honors this tradition while making it accessible for home cooks, especially by using convenient rotisserie chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe
- Explosive Flavor: The combination of smoky chipotles, sweet tomatoes, and aromatic spices creates a deeply satisfying sauce that perfectly coats the tender shredded chicken.
- Quick & Easy: Utilizing rotisserie chicken drastically cuts down on cooking time, making this a perfect weeknight meal that comes together in under an hour.
- Customizable Spice Level: You have full control over the heat! Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to suit your preference, from mild to fiery.
- Versatile Dish: While fantastic in tacos, the chicken tinga itself is incredibly versatile. It can be used in tostadas, burritos, nachos, or even served over rice.
- Great for Meal Prep: The flavors develop even further overnight, making it ideal for preparing ahead of time and enjoying throughout the week.
- Family-Friendly: With adjustable spice levels and familiar taco components, this dish is a hit with both adults and children.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Tinga Tacos
Crafting authentic Chicken Tinga Tacos starts with a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Olive oil: Forms the base for sautéing the aromatics, ensuring a rich flavor foundation for our delicious sauce.
- Sweet onion & garlic: These are the pillars of flavor. Slicing the sweet onion thinly allows it to caramelize quicker, adding depth without overpowering the other ingredients. Minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic kick.
- Tomato paste: A concentrated burst of umami. Cooking it for a minute before adding other liquids deepens its flavor, giving the sauce a robust, savory backbone.
- Aromatic Seasonings: A blend of ground cumin, dried oregano, chicken bouillon powder, paprika, ground coriander, and salt and pepper are vital for that signature Tinga taste. Always taste and adjust seasonings at the end to achieve your perfect flavor balance.
- Fire-roasted crushed tomatoes: These tomatoes are a game-changer, offering a subtle smoky flavor that complements the chipotles beautifully. If fire-roasted isn’t available, regular crushed tomatoes will still yield excellent results.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: The heart and soul of Chicken Tinga! These smoked jalapeños in a tangy, spicy sauce provide the characteristic smoky heat. Start with a conservative amount and gradually add more to achieve your desired level of spice. We love the La Costena brand for its quality and flavor.
- Rotisserie chicken: The ultimate shortcut for a quick meal. Shredded rotisserie chicken makes this recipe incredibly fast and easy, but you can also cook and shred your own chicken breasts or thighs.
- Fresh Lime juice: A crucial finishing touch. A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens all the flavors, adding a necessary acidic counterpoint to the rich, spicy sauce.
- Corn tortillas: The foundation of any great taco. I highly recommend charring them lightly over an open flame or in a dry hot skillet. This not only makes them more pliable and easier to fold but also imparts a delightful smoky flavor and chewy texture that enhances the whole taco experience.
How to Prepare Delicious Chicken Tinga Tacos
Follow these straightforward steps to create your own mouth-watering Chicken Tinga Tacos, guaranteed to impress!
- Prepare the Quick Pickled Red Onions: In a medium bowl, combine thinly sliced red onion with red wine vinegar, a pinch of salt, and a tablespoon of granulated sugar. Toss everything together until the onions are well coated. Set this aside at room temperature, stirring occasionally while you work on the rest of the meal. The acidity will soften the onions and imbue them with a vibrant tangy flavor.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Build the Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced sweet onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 4–6 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become tender and translucent. Ensure they don’t brown; reduce heat if necessary. Next, stir in the tomato paste and all your seasonings: ground cumin, dried oregano, chicken bouillon powder, paprika, and ground coriander. Toast these spices with the tomato paste for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to release their full aroma and flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I typically use about 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper).
- Simmer the Tinga Sauce: Pour in the can of fire-roasted crushed tomatoes and stir well, cooking for another minute. Finally, add your desired amount of chipotle peppers and their adobo sauce (refer to “Recipe Notes” for spice level guidance). Stir to combine and heat for 30 seconds. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 6–8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Blend and Combine with Chicken: Carefully transfer the hot sauce mixture from the skillet to a large blender. Process until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy. (Quick Tip: When blending hot liquids, avoid overfilling the blender. Replace the lid with a folded kitchen towel to allow steam to escape safely and prevent splatters.) Pour the smooth sauce back into the skillet. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and stir gently to ensure the chicken is thoroughly coated and warmed through by the rich Tinga sauce. If you desire an extra touch of brightness, stir in a tablespoon of fresh lime juice at this stage.
- Whip Up a Quick Guacamole: While your sauce is simmering, prepare your fresh guacamole. In a small bowl, mash a large, ripe avocado with a fork. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a few generous squeezes of fresh lime juice. Mash until it reaches your preferred consistency, then set aside.
- Char the Tortillas: This step is crucial for authentic flavor and better texture. Lightly spray both sides of your corn tortillas with cooking spray. Using tongs, char the tortillas directly over a gas flame for a few seconds on each side until they are lightly blackened and become soft and pliable. If you don’t have a gas stove, a dry, hot cast-iron skillet works perfectly. Immediately after charring, fold each tortilla in half and set it aside; this helps them maintain their taco shape.
- Assemble Your Tacos: Now for the best part! Spread a layer of your freshly made guacamole down the center of each charred tortilla. Spoon a generous amount of the warm chicken tinga over the guacamole. Top with a sprinkle of your quick pickled red onions. Finish with your favorite optional taco toppings, such as crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco, fresh cilantro, and an extra squeeze of fresh lime juice for that final zing. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pro Blending Tip for Hot Sauces
When blending hot liquids like our Tinga sauce, steam can build up and cause the blender lid to pop off. To safely prevent this, don’t overfill your blender. Instead of using the blender’s airtight lid, place a folded kitchen towel over the opening. This allows steam to escape while catching any potential splatters, ensuring a safe and smooth blending process.
Creative Variations & Serving Suggestions
Expand Your Chicken Tinga Repertoire
Chicken Tinga is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many delicious ways beyond traditional tacos. Here are some ideas to switch things up:
- Chicken Tinga Tostadas: For a crispy, open-faced treat, spread mashed avocado on a crispy tostada shell. Layer generously with warm tinga chicken, a scattering of pickled or raw red onions, a drizzle of crema or sour cream, a sprinkle of cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro.
- Baked Chicken Tinga Tacos: If you prefer a sturdier, oven-baked taco, this is a fantastic option. Use our baked beef taco recipe as a guiding reference for the baking process. Fill crispy taco shells with the flavorful chicken tinga and a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then top with fresh red onions, crema, sliced avocado, and cilantro.
- Loaded Tinga Nachos: Create an epic platter of nachos by layering tortilla chips with ample chicken tinga and your favorite Mexican cheese blend. Bake until the cheese is melted, then pile high with preferred toppings like jalapeños, black beans, corn, sour cream, and guacamole.
- Chicken Tinga Burrito Bowls: For a healthier or low-carb option, start with a base of fluffy cauliflower rice (or regular rice). Add a generous portion of chicken tinga, black or pinto beans, sliced avocado, pickled red onions, a dollop of crema, and fresh cilantro. It’s a deconstructed burrito bursting with flavor.
- Tinga Quesadillas or Burritos: Use leftover tinga chicken as a flavorful filling for quesadillas with melty cheese, or wrap it up in large flour tortillas for hearty burritos with rice and beans.
Explore More Delicious Taco Recipes:
Dinner
Healthy Tacos
Salads
Taco Pasta Salad
Dinner
Loaded Taco Fries
Dinner
Chicken Tacos (Mexican Street Corn)
Print Recipe
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Chicken Tinga Tacos
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 large red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon coarsely minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper
- 1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (you won’t use all of it! I love La Costena brand)
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (like rotisserie)
- 1 lime (optional)
- Corn tortillas and cooking spray
- Optional toppings (see note 1)
Instructions
- Quick “Pickled” Onion: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced red onion, red wine vinegar, salt, and sugar. Toss to coat. Leave at room temperature and toss every 5 minutes or so while preparing the rest of the meal.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet. Once oil is warm, add in the thinly sliced sweet onion and garlic. Sauté for 4–6 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally (nothing should be burning/browning; lower the heat if it is). Add tomato paste and all the seasonings: ground cumin, dried oregano, chicken bouillon powder, paprika, dried coriander, and salt and pepper to taste. (I add 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.) Toast seasonings for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Again, lower the heat if anything is burning.
- Add crushed tomatoes and cook for 1 minute. Lastly, add chipotle peppers and sauce (see note 1). Stir and heat for 30 more seconds. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 6–8 minutes.
- Transfer the sauce mixture to a large blender and process until completely smooth (see note 2). Pour the mixture back into the skillet. Add the rotisserie chicken and gently stir to coat the chicken and warm it through. If desired, stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice.
- Quick “Guac”: While sauce is simmering, I like to whip this up: Place a large, ripe avocado in a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add in a pinch of salt and pepper and a few squeezes of lime juice. Mash together and set aside.
- Spray both sides of the tortillas with cooking spray and char the tortillas directly over the gas flames for a few seconds. Use tongs to flip until tortillas are lightly charred and soft. Immediately fold the tortilla in half (so it will fold into a taco nicely later) and set aside.
- Spread the guac in the center of the charred tortillas. Top with a scoop of the chicken and some pickled red onions. Add your other favorite taco toppings such as some queso or cotija cheese, some fresh cilantro, and another squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Recipe Notes
Note 2: Here’s a general guideline for how much of the chipotles to add to adjust spice levels:
- Little to no spice: Use 1 tablespoon of only the adobo sauce surrounding the chipotle peppers.
- Light spice: Use 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce and 1 tablespoon of chopped chipotle peppers.
- Medium spicy: Use 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce and 2 tablespoons of chopped chipotle peppers.
- Spicy: Use 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce and 3 tablespoons of chopped chipotle peppers.
- (If the chipotle peppers are large, chop them to fit the measuring spoon for accurate measurement.)
- For tips on how to store leftover chipotle peppers, consult the full blog post.
Note 3: When blending hot sauces, safety is key. The escaping steam can create pressure and potentially dislodge the blender lid if it’s too full. To avoid this, fill your blender only halfway. For added safety, replace the standard blender lid with a folded kitchen towel. This allows steam to escape without any risk of splattering.
Storage & Meal Prep: Store any leftover Chicken Tinga in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture and freshness, always store tortillas, sauce, and any other toppings separately. When ready to enjoy leftovers, reheat the chicken tinga on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Taco Recipe Awaits!
There you have it – a comprehensive guide to creating restaurant-quality Chicken Tinga Tacos right in your own kitchen. This recipe brings together ease, speed, and an explosion of the vibrant, smoky, and spicy flavors that Mexican cuisine is famous for. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, planning a casual weeknight meal, or looking for delicious meal prep options, these Chicken Tinga Tacos are sure to become a beloved staple.
Don’t be shy about experimenting with the spice level or adding your own favorite toppings. The beauty of tacos lies in their versatility and the ability to customize them to your heart’s content. So grab your ingredients, fire up your skillet, and get ready to enjoy a truly unforgettable taco experience.