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This slow cooker chicken tinga is smoky, saucy, and full of bold Mexican flavor. Made with tender shredded chicken, tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and spices, it’s an easy, hands-off recipe perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, and more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This slow cooker chicken tinga is the kind of recipe that makes dinner feel effortless but still full of bold, crave-worthy flavor. Everything comes together right in the crock pot, so you can just add your ingredients, walk away, and come back to tender, perfectly shredded chicken coated in a rich, smoky sauce.
You’ll love how versatile it is—pile it into tacos, serve it over rice for burrito bowls, or tuck it into a salad for an easy, flavor-packed meal. The combination of tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and spices gives it just the right balance of smoky, slightly spicy, and savory.
It’s also a great make-ahead option and perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers throughout the week. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and minimal effort—this is one you’ll want on repeat.. Make sure to check out my beef tinga recipe too.
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Chipotles in Adobe Sauce
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes, if you can’t find those a regular diced tomato will work.
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Garlic
- Salt
- Tostada Shells
- Brown Rice
- Guacamole, green onions, and cilantro to garnish
How to Make Chicken Tinga
- Place chicken, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, chipotle peppers, garlic, oregano, cumin in slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 3 hours or until chicken pulls apart easily.
- Top tostada shell with brown rice and shredded chicken.
- Garnish with a little green onion, cilantro and guacamole.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Use chicken thighs for extra flavor Chicken breasts work great, but thighs stay juicier and add a richer flavor—especially in the slow cooker.
- Blend for a smoother sauce For that classic tinga texture, blend the sauce before adding it to the slow cooker or after cooking for a smoother, more cohesive finish.
- Shred and soak After shredding the chicken, return it to the sauce and let it sit for 10–15 minutes so it can soak up all that smoky flavor.
- Add a squeeze of lime A little fresh lime juice at the end brightens everything up and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Make it ahead Chicken tinga reheats beautifully and the flavor gets even better the next day—perfect for meal prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chicken tinga?
Chicken tinga is a classic Mexican dish made with shredded chicken simmered in a smoky, slightly spicy tomato and chipotle sauce. It’s known for its rich flavor and versatility.
Can I make chicken tinga in the Instant Pot?
Save time by using the Instant Pot. Place all ingredients into the pressure cooker, cover and cook on high for 8 minutes. Do a quick release, then shred chicken.
How spicy is chicken tinga?
It has a mild to moderate heat from the chipotle peppers. You can easily adjust the spice level by using fewer (or more) peppers and adobo sauce. I use 1-2 peppers.
How should I serve Chicken Tinga?
It’s delicious in tacos, tostadas, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or even over rice. Add toppings like avocado, sour cream, cheese, or fresh cilantro.
Can I freeze Chicken Tinga?
Yes! Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw and reheat gently when ready to serve.
For other slow cooker goodness try these:
Be sure and follow me over on YouTube for weekly cooking demos.
Crock Pot Chicken Tinga
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. skinless boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 15 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 chipotle chile pepper in adobe sauce chopped (more if desired)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- cilantro guacamole, green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken onion, fire roasted tomatoes, chipotle peppers, garlic, oregano, cumin in slow cooker.
- Turn on low and cook for 3 hours or until chicken pulls apart easily.
- Serve over rice on a tostada shell. Top with green onion, cilantro, guacamole.
Tips & Notes:
- Use chicken thighs for extra flavor Chicken breasts work great, but thighs stay juicier and add a richer flavor—especially in the slow cooker.
- Blend for a smoother sauce For that classic tinga texture, blend the sauce before adding it to the slow cooker or after cooking for a smoother, more cohesive finish.
- Shred and soak After shredding the chicken, return it to the sauce and let it sit for 10–15 minutes so it can soak up all that smoky flavor.
- Add a squeeze of lime A little fresh lime juice at the end brightens everything up and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Make it ahead Chicken tinga reheats beautifully and the flavor gets even better the next day—perfect for meal prep.
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Desiree @ The36thAvenue says
Looks fantastic! Thank you for pinning 🙂
Kelley @Miss Information Blog says
OMG I love a good slowcooker recipe! I can’t wait to try this one!
Leigh Anne says
This is a good one Kelley! Hope you like it too!
Michelle says
I’ve had a long running love affair with chipotle in adobo. Tinga is something I’ve always wanted to make but don’t know why I never have. As easy as this is, I really have no excuse now, do I? Ha!
Thank you for sharing with See Ya in the Gumbo.
Liz says
Thank you for the nice and easy recipe. Have a Great Day!
Val H. says
I’ve never had Chicken Tinga but with the listed ingredients, I know that I would love it. Thanks so much.