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Chicken Tinga
5 from 156 votes

Chicken Tinga

Chicken Tinga is a slow-simmered shredded chicken dish cooked in a smoky tomato and chipotle pepper sauce. The recipe uses cooked chicken breast combined with a sauce of diced tomatoes, chipotle peppers, aromatics, and spices. The toasted cumin and garlic deepen the sauce's flavor. Pureeing the sauce creates a smooth texture that coats the chicken, which is simmered again to absorb the flavors. It’s commonly served in lettuce cups or low-carb tortillas with fresh toppings.

Prep Time
8 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
28 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 255 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 5 cups chicken breast rotisserie is fine, cooked
  • 15 ounce diced tomatoes lowest carb, canned
  • ½ yellow onion diced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 chipotle peppers in the can
  • 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon oregano dried
  • ½ teaspoon cumin ground
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Shred the chicken breast and set it aside.
  2. Heat a skillet to medium and add in the olive oil, onions, pepper and half the salt. Sauté until they are translucent.
  3. Add in the garlic and sauté for 15 seconds, making sure not to brown it.
  4. Add in the ground cumin and allow it to toast for 10 seconds, then pour in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, remaining salt, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
  5. Discard the bay leaf, then transfer the sauce to a food processor and puree.
  6. Pour the sauce back into the skillet, then add the shredded chicken. Toss the chicken in the sauce to coat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  7. Serve in either lettuce cups or Keto friendly tortillas with your favorite toppings (see recipe notes for suggestions)

Notes

  • Optional toppings include shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, thinly sliced or pickled red onion, pickled jalapeño peppers, queso fresco, chopped fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
  • Serve in lettuce cups or keto-friendly tortillas according to dietary preference.

Nutrition Information

Calories 255kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 35g (70%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 3g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 255

% Daily Value*

Calories 255kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 35g 70%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 3g 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.