Authentic Chicken Tinga with Chipotle

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant Mexican stew with tender chicken in a smoky chipotle tomato sauce. This traditional Oaxacan recipe uses authentic adobo for depth and complexity. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes turns boneless and skinless chicken thighs, vegetable oil, large, finely chopped onion into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.6 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1.5 lbs chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and golden. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, stirring to coat. Simmer covered for 10 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened slightly. Season with salt to taste (if needed).
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and serve hot over warm corn tortillas.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Chicken Tinga with Chipotle take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic Chicken Tinga with Chipotle?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Chicken Tinga with Chipotle?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic Chicken Tinga with Chipotle for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic Chicken Tinga with Chipotle?

Mexican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes