This slow cooker Chicken Tinga recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the rich, smoky flavors of a traditional Mexican tinga with all the convenience of using a slow cooker. Tinga is a beloved Mexican stew that features tender, shredded chicken seasoned with a savory blend of tomatoes, chipotle seasoning, and a variety of spices. The beauty of making this dish in a slow cooker is how it allows all the flavors to meld together slowly, creating a deeply flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth experience without much hands-on effort.
The slow cooker does all the hard work for you, transforming the chicken into a tender, juicy dish that’s bursting with flavor. The chipotle seasoning provides a smoky heat that pairs beautifully with the zesty kick from the tomatoes and spices. Each bite of Chicken Tinga is an explosion of bold, savory, and slightly spicy flavors that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. Whether you’re serving it in tacos, over rice, or as a topping for nachos, this dish is incredibly versatile and perfect for feeding the whole family.
While Chicken Tinga is the traditional choice, this recipe is flexible and can easily be made with pork or beef if you prefer. The same tender, slow-cooked texture and bold flavours work wonderfully with different types of meat, allowing you to customize the dish based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Whether you’re cooking for a casual weeknight dinner or preparing a festive Mexican-inspired meal, this slow-cooked Chicken Tinga will definitely be a crowd-pleaser. With its mouth watering smokiness and spiced depth of flavour, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again.
PREP 5 minutes
COOK for 6 to 7 hours on low
SERVES 4 people
KIT you will need a slow cooker.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga
1 red pepper, de-seeded and sliced
1 onion, peeled and diced
A teaspoon of garlic paste
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon of tomato paste
500g of boneless chicken thigh fillets
1 teaspoon of ground coriander
1 teaspoon of mild chilli powder
A teaspoon of Smokey chipotle seasoning
250 ml of chicken bone broth (or chicken stock)
To serve:
Tacos (or tostada if you prefer)
Guacamole
Sour Cream
Sliced iceberg lettuce
Jalapeno peppers
Fresh coriander leaves
A lime
Method
To begin making this delicious slow cooker chicken tinga, start by preparing your vegetables. De-seed and slice a red pepper into thin strips. Then peel and dice a white onion into small pieces. Next, chop two ripe tomatoes into chunks, which will add a fresh and juicy base to the dish. Add all of these prepared vegetables to your slow cooker, creating a colourful and flavourful base.
Now, open up the boneless chicken thighs and place them gently into the slow cooker on top of the vegetables. The chicken thighs are perfect for this recipe because they stay tender and juicy during the slow cooking process. Once the chicken is in, it’s time to add your spices. A classic chicken tinga mix includes ground cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of chili powder for that perfect balance of smokiness and heat. Add these along with a tablespoon of tomato puree for richness. And pour in your chicken stock to keep everything moist and flavourful. Stir it all together to ensure the spices and liquid are well mixed, then set your slow cooker to cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.
After the cooking time has passed, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and place them on a chopping board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Which will soak up all the delicious flavours from the slow cooker. Once shredded, transfer the chicken into a serving bowl.
To finish, squeeze in some fresh lime juice and sprinkle chopped coriander over the chicken to add brightness and freshness.
Spoon the shredded chicken into taco shells. Then top with sliced jalapeños, more fresh coriander, and an extra squeeze of lime juice. Serve with a side of guacamole, sour cream, and iceberg lettuce.
Tips for Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga
1. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Thighs are ideal because they stay tender and juicy during the slow cooking process. You can use breasts if you prefer, but thighs give better texture and flavour.
2. Don’t skip the chipotle in adobo.
This is the key to that signature smoky, spicy flavour. Adjust the amount based on your heat tolerance. So start with one pepper and add more if you like it hotter.
3. Blend your sauce for a smooth texture.
Before pouring it into the slow cooker, blend tomatoes, chipotle peppers, garlic, and onions until smooth. This gives the tinga that rich, velvety base.
4. Season well from the start.
Add cumin, oregano, and a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth. Salt to taste, but remember the flavours will intensify as it cooks.
5. Shred the chicken in the sauce.
Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the pot so it soaks up all the juices and flavour. Let it sit in the sauce for another 10–15 minutes on low for maximum flavour.
6. Add a splash of lime.
Just before serving, squeeze in some fresh lime juice to brighten the dish and balance the smoky spice.
7. Serve it your way.
Tinga is super versatile! Pile it into tacos, burritos, quesadillas, over rice, or even on top of nachos. Don’t forget your favourite toppings like sour cream, avocado, pickled onions, or cheese.
Similar recipes
So if you like this tasty slow cooker chicken tinga, then why not try my easy slow cooker beef tacos or the air fryer enchiladas recipe.
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