Instant Pot Chicken Tinga
Instant Pot Chicken Tinga is a smoky shredded chicken recipe made with chipotle peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and warm spices in the Instant Pot. It’s great for taco nights, Mexican meal prep, and easy shredded chicken recipes. The sauce blends into a rich tomato-chipotle base that coats the tender shredded chicken evenly.
Servings: 8
Calories: 254kcal
Equipment
- Immersion blender
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
Ingredients
- 1 (4 to 5 pound) whole chicken
- 1 cup reserved chicken broth from cooking the chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce drained and chopped
- 1 (28 ounce can) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped and divided
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Place the whole chicken (giblets removed) and one cup of water in the Instant Pot**. Season with salt and pepper. Pressure cook on high for 25 minutes (or 6-8 minutes per pound). Allow natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
- Remove chicken, strain and reserve 1 cup broth, shred the meat, discarding skin and bones.
- Set Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat olive oil and cook chopped onion until softened. Add minced garlic, chipotle peppers, ground cumin, and oregano. Sauté for another minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes and cilantro, cooking for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce mixture until smooth. Return sauce to the Instant Pot. Add shredded chicken and reserved broth, mixing well. Heat through and stir in lime juice.
- Serve chicken tinga with warm tortillas, rice, or as desired.
Notes
**Instant Pot Safety: Follow Instant Pot safety guidelines, ensuring the lid is securely locked, the pressure release valve is set to sealing, and never fill the pot above the manufacturer's fill line.
Cooking Notes
Allowing a natural pressure release helps keep the chicken tender and easier to shred. Blending the sauce before returning the chicken creates a smoother consistency that coats the meat evenly.
Tips for Best Results:
- Remove the chicken skin and bones before mixing back into the sauce.
- Blend the sauce until completely smooth for the best texture.
- Add reserved broth gradually to control consistency.
- Stir in the lime juice at the end for fresher flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 468mg | Potassium: 224mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
