You\u2019ll love this Instant Pot chicken tinga recipe \u2013 tender shredded chicken in a smoky and spicy tomato chipotle sauce \u2013 hit your protein goals with a flavorful meal that packs a punch!<\/p>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Instant-Pot-Chicken-Tinga-Cover_resized2-1.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHave you ever started a recipe and you knew right away that your family would love it?<\/p>\n
I had that feeling about this Instant Pot Chicken Tinga, and I was right.<\/p>\n
Not only does my family love this dish, but they ask for it ALL THE TIME!<\/p>\n
I\u2019m happy to add it to the meal plan<\/a> because when you cook with the Instant Pot<\/a>, dinner practically makes itself.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for something different to make on Taco Tuesday, or just something quick and easy on a busy weeknight, chicken tinga is the answer!<\/p>\n Tinga de pollo is a traditional dish from Puebla, Mexico. It combines a blend of flavors from Spanish and indigenous influences. Chicken tinga is shredded chicken cooked in a spicy tomato-based sauce. This recipe uses fire-roasted tomatoes, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, onions, and spices.<\/p>\n This Instant Pot chicken tinga recipe is:<\/p>\n Aside from the chicken itself, you can make this quick and easy chicken tinga recipe with pantry staples.<\/p>\n Step 1: Combine all the ingredients<\/strong> except the chicken in a blender<\/a> and puree until smooth.<\/p>\n Step 2: Pour the tinga sauce mixture<\/strong> into the Instant Pot<\/a> and add the chicken, trying to submerge as much of the chicken as possible.<\/p>\n Step 3: Place the lid on the Instant Pot,<\/strong> turn the pressure valve to \u201csealing\u201d, and cook on high pressure for 9 minutes (*see notes below for cooking times for different cuts of chicken). Do a quick pressure release after the cooking time is complete.<\/p>\n Step 4: Shred chicken tinga using two forks<\/strong> (or you can use this KitchenAid stand mixer hack<\/a>!), stir the shredded cooked chicken into the sauce, and serve!<\/p>\n Store leftover chicken tinga in an airtight container<\/a> for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.<\/p>\n The cooking time will depend on the type of chicken you use and whether it\u2019s raw or frozen.<\/p>\n For any bone-in chicken,<\/strong> wait 5 minutes for the pressure to naturally release before venting to release the rest of the pressure.<\/p>\n If you start with frozen chicken, add 5 minutes to the listed cooking time.\u200b\u200b<\/strong> Both fresh and frozen chicken work for this recipe, but frozen needs a longer cooking time. Since you\u2019re using pieces instead of a whole frozen chicken, add 5 minutes to the cooking time. For example, frozen chicken drumsticks would cook for 15 minutes, followed by a 5-minute natural pressure release.<\/p>\n Slow Cooker:<\/strong> If your Instant Pot is busy making Instant Pot Spanish Rice<\/a> or Fajita Veggies<\/a>, you can use a slow cooker<\/a> for this Mexican chicken tinga recipe. Cook the chicken tinga on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.<\/p>\n Stovetop:<\/strong> If you want to make chicken tinga on the stovetop, you\u2019ll still blend the sauce in the blender<\/a>, but from there you\u2019ll combine the sauce and chicken in a medium pan<\/a>. Bring it to medium-high heat, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cover it with a lid until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.<\/p>\n Try different cuts of chicken:<\/strong> I like to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for chicken tinga, but you can use chicken breasts or chicken cutlets. Chicken drumsticks and bone-in skin-on thighs would work too, but personally, I\u2019d remove the skin from both cuts of chicken before cooking and remove the bones from the chicken pieces after cooking and before shredding the meat.<\/p>\n A rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken isn\u2019t quite what we want for this recipe. Letting the chicken cook in the seasonings and sauce is what gives it its deep flavor.\u00a0<\/p>\n I tend to get my chicken for tinga from <\/strong>Costco<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> but if you aren\u2019t able to find quality chicken locally, check out Butcher Box. Butcher Box delivers grass-fed beef, pasture-raised and organic chicken, and heritage pork directly to your front door each month. You can read my honest review of Butcher Box here<\/a> and how to make Butcher Box worth the cost here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cook a double batch:<\/strong> This chicken tinga recipe easily makes enough for dinner plus a few lunches, but it\u2019s the perfect recipe to double in the Instant Pot<\/a>! The cooking time will stay the same, but it will take longer to come to pressure and for the pressure to release. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator if you\u2019ll use them that week or store them in the freezer for a crazy fast dinner in the future!<\/p>\n Prep a double batch:<\/strong> You can also prep a double batch and put half in a resealable bag<\/a> in the freezer before cooking for an easy dump-and-go dinner in the future.<\/p>\n This recipe makes yummy authentic chicken tinga tacos:<\/strong> Simply tuck it into a Corn Tortilla<\/a>, top it with Lime Crema<\/a> (or sour cream) and Guacamole<\/a>, and serve Citrus Black Beans<\/a> or Refried Beans<\/a> on the side. That\u2019s a delicious, frugal meal that will probably give you plenty of leftovers too!<\/p>\n But to really take this chicken tinga tacos recipe over the top,<\/strong> I recommend making your own chicken tinga tostadas! Not only is it AMAZING, but it\u2019s a fun variation for taco night that your family will be asking for over and over again! It\u2019s definitely my favorite way to eat it!<\/p>\n Follow these instructions:<\/p>\n Since this chicken tinga recipe is simply chicken with a tomato-based sauce, you\u2019ll get most of your calories from protein \u2013 around 39g per serving!<\/p>\n Once you add in your side dishes, you\u2019ll easily be able to hit your protein goals for the meal. And you can make it fit with your macros by choosing how to serve it.<\/p>\nWhat is chicken tinga?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
INSTANT POT CHICKEN TINGA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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CHICKEN TINGA RECIPE INGREDIENTS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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HOW TO MAKE THE BEST MEXICAN CHICKEN TINGA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Mexican](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Instant-Pot-Chicken-Tinga-4_resized.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Blended](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Instant-Pot-Chicken-Tinga-5_resized.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Raw](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Instant-Pot-Chicken-Tinga-2_resized.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMEXICAN CHICKEN TINGA RECIPE COOKING TIMES<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Instant-Pot-Chicken-Tinga-3_resized.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDIFFERENT COOKING METHODS FOR CHICKEN TINGA RECIPE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
CHICKEN TINGA RECIPE TIPS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Homemade-Corn-Tortillas-3.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTHE BEST WAY TO SERVE CHICKEN TINGA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Instant-Pot-Chicken-Tinga-1_resized.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPROTEIN PACKED CHICKEN TINGA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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