Chef John's Chicken Tinga

Chef John's Chicken Tinga
  • 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • 3 peeled whole garlic cloves
  • 1 large yellow onion, halved
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 (7 ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1 (28 ounce) can peeled plum tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled cotija cheese, or to taste
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, or more to taste


  1. Place chicken thighs, garlic cloves, halved onion, salt, oregano, water, and chicken stock, and water in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over high heat; reduce to medium-low. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
  2. Transfer onion halves to a bowl with a slotted spoon; transfer chicken thighs to a separate bowl.
  3. Pour broth through a strainer into a large bowl.
  4. Heat olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Transfer strained liquid to onions. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat; turn heat to medium-low; reduce broth by about half, 15 to 20 minutes.
  5. Transfer reserved boiled onions to a blender. Add chipotle peppers and the adobo sauce. Swirl a bit of water in the can and add to the blender. Add tomatoes. Cover blender with the lid. Pulse on and off until mixture is partially blended. Blend on medium speed until smooth, 1 or 2 minutes. Transfer to pot with broth and onions.
  6. Increase heat to medium-high. Simmer 15 minutes or so, depending on how thick you want the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  7. Tear chicken into bite-size pieces and add to the pot. Cook another 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish; garnish with crumbled cotija cheese and cilantro.

04/08/2018
Chef John's Chicken Tinga, recipe PT15M PT1H 5 455 calories

Comment on this content
rosemary and goat cheese crostini with walnuts and honey
rosemary and goat cheese crostini with walnuts and honey
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).Place baguette..
4.1
7208
ginger beer
ginger beer
Finely shred ginger into a bowl. Zest lemons and add zest to..
3.9
5563
black bean avocado hazelnut mocha cake
black bean avocado hazelnut mocha cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-i..
4.4
4348
asparagus summer soup
asparagus summer soup
Cut asparagus stalks into 1-inch pieces; reserve tips in a b..
3.4
4166
caribbean sangria
caribbean sangria
Place orange slices, peach slices, lemon slices, and lime sl..
4.2
4271
smoked paprika chicken, kale, and bean stew
smoked paprika chicken, kale, and bean stew
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken ..
3.7
4318
japanese-mexican fusion quesadillas
japanese-mexican fusion quesadillas
Combine soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic in a large bowl..
2.9
5283
vegan oven-fried zucchini sticks
vegan oven-fried zucchini sticks
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread olive ..
2.1
4799
flourless triple chocolate cookies
flourless triple chocolate cookies
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 2 bakin..
3.4
4616
Chef John's Broiled Chicken
Chef John's Broiled Chicken
Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and prehea..
879
Chef John's Chicken and Biscuits
Chef John's Chicken and Biscuits
Place chicken in large (9-quart) stock pot, pour in water, a..
987
Chef John's Tandoori Chicken
Chef John's Tandoori Chicken
Whisk lime juice, yogurt, tandoori powder, salt, and pepper ..
764
Chef John's Chicken and Dumplings
Chef John's Chicken and Dumplings
Place chicken in a Dutch oven. Add water, carrot, celery, on..
848
Chef John's Chicken a la King
Chef John's Chicken a la King
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mu..
2.3
1294
Chef John's Chicken Under a Brick
Chef John's Chicken Under a Brick
Use kitchen shears to cut down both sides of the backbone. R..
804
Chef John's Chicken Teriyaki
Chef John's Chicken Teriyaki
Whisk soy sauce, sake, mirin, brown sugar, white parts of gr..
797