Description
These Chicken Tinga Tacos are slow-cooked in a smoky tomato-chipotle sauce until fall-apart tender, then crisped to golden perfection in a skillet or under the broiler. Packed with flavor, they’re easy, bold, and totally customizable—perfect for Taco Tuesday, meal prep, or a casual dinner for two. Serve with avocado crema and your favorite toppings!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tinga:
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2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
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1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes
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2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
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1 small onion, thinly sliced
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp cumin
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½ tsp smoked paprika
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1 tsp salt
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Juice of 1 lime
For Crisping (Optional but Recommended):
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1 tbsp olive oil
To Serve:
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Corn or flour tortillas, warmed
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Optional toppings: avocado crema, shredded lettuce, pickled onions, queso fresco, sour cream, cilantro, lime wedges
Instructions
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Add to Crockpot:
In the slow cooker, combine tomatoes, chipotle peppers, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and lime juice. Nestle chicken into the sauce. -
Slow Cook:
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is fork-tender. -
Shred the Chicken:
Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Optionally, blend the sauce for a smoother texture, then return chicken to sauce and mix. -
Crisp the Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded chicken in batches, pressing down lightly for crispy edges. OR broil on a sheet pan for 5–7 minutes.
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Assemble Tacos:
Fill warm tortillas with crispy chicken and your favorite toppings. Serve hot with lime wedges on the side!
Notes
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For milder tacos: Use only 1 chipotle pepper. For spicier, add an extra or a spoonful of adobo sauce.
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Time-saving tip: Use store-bought rotisserie chicken and simmer it in the sauce for a 30-minute shortcut.
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Avocado crema idea: Blend 1 ripe avocado, 2 tbsp sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt for a creamy topping.
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Leftovers: Perfect for rice bowls, nachos, or quesadillas!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker, Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Keywords: Chicken Tinga Tacos