Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga

Ingredients

Cooking guide: about 6 hours on LOW or 3 hours on HIGH, then 10 minutes after shredding. Timing varies; use a thermometer.

• 2–3 pounds boneless chicken thighs, thawed
• 1 whole white onion, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted tomatoes
• 2–5 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: start with 2 for less heat
• 1 tablespoon salt (3 teaspoons), as supplied in the recipe; adjust for your salt type and the saltiness of canned ingredients
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano, preferably Mexican oregano
• Freshly ground black pepper, several generous cranks
• 1 spoonful adobo sauce from the can, optional

Salt brands differ by volume. If you prefer less salt, start with less and adjust only after the chicken has cooked safely.

Optional toppings

• Warm corn tortillas
• Avocado
• Lime wedges

How to cook it

1. Add the onion, garlic, tomatoes, chicken, salt, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, cumin, oregano, and black pepper to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on LOW for about 6 hours or HIGH for about 3 hours, until tender and at least 165°F (74°C) in the thickest pieces, measured with a food thermometer. Keep cooking if it has not reached that temperature.
3. Remove the chicken to a clean plate and shred it.
4. Blend the liquid into a smooth sauce. For an immersion blender, follow its hot-liquid instructions and use a container that keeps the blade submerged without splashing.
5. Return the chicken to the sauce and cook on HIGH for another 10 minutes.
6. Serve with warm tortillas, avocado, and lime, or on nachos, in quesadillas, on tostadas, or over a salad.

Heat tip: Start with 2 chipotles and add more to taste. Actual heat varies by pepper and brand.

Food safety and leftovers

Thaw the chicken before slow cooking. Keep raw poultry and its utensils separate from ready-to-eat food. Refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers within two hours. Reheat to 165°F using the stove, microwave, or oven; a slow cooker is not recommended for reheating cold leftovers.

USDA slow cooker guidance · USDA safe temperatures

Recipe video supplied with this recipe: Watch on YouTube