Instant Pot Chicken Tinga

Instant Pot Chicken Tinga makes for the best version of chicken tacos….EVER! A meal that resembles restaurant quality, but comes together so quickly at home in the Instant Pot!  Paleo and Whole30 friendly.

Yes, these are the absolute best way to enjoy chicken tacos! Yes, they are ridiculously easy! And yes, I did just post another taco recipe last week: Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos.

Do you guys mind? I didn’t think so. Especially after reviewing so many reader requests on my Instagram that you all want more Instant Pot and more chicken. Definitely two of my specialties 😉

So let’s talk Chicken Tinga…

What is Chicken Tinga?

What is Chicken Tinga? I’m glad you asked. Because honestly guys, this Mexican food loving girl born and raised in California didn’t even know what it really was until last month. Not going to hold anything back here. After a double header baseball game in Richmond, VA, we decided to eat out at the closest and authentic sounding/looking Mexican restaurant we  could find.

It’s the best thing to do after you’ve been sweating all day in baseball clothes. It’s several levels above fast food, deliciously tasty, and no one judges your baseball outfits. We’ll be back soon to visit.

But but. The best part about this gem of a restaurant? They had an entire section of “Mexican bowls”. Totally my jam. One of the dinner options was chicken tinga with lots of vegetables over a bed of rice. They also served you a nice portion of guacamole, and a Mexican salad.

EXACTLY what I wanted for dinner.

I discovered after my first bite, that Chicken Tinga was a chipotle tomato infused braised pulled chicken. And that if I had to name this recipe a few months ago, I would have called it: Instant Pot Shredded Chipotle Chicken.

But now I know better. It has a proper name. And it is everything you want for dinner!!!!

Making Instant Pot Chicken Tinga:

A few notes:

1. To make this recipe have more of that chipotle flavor, use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. I have yet to find one that is Paleo/Whole30 compliant because most brands contain trace amounts of sugar. BUT, you can easily swap with chipotle spice powder.
2. The Instant Pot works wonders in this dish, giving you that pulled tender chicken in just 10 minutes!
3. It tastes even more delicious after it sits for a day, which also allows the sauce to thicken (hello leftovers)
4. DO NOT forget about all of the goodies: salsa, avocado, guacamole, fresh tomatoes, cilantro, etc.

Can you make this in the slow cooker?

Oh yes! Saute the onion and garlic in a regular saucepan before making the sauce, this helps to bring out more flavor. Now add this onion/garlic mixture to the blender with the rest of the sauce ingredients. You could cut the chicken broth to just 1/2 cup. Add the chicken breast to the bottom of the pot, then top with sauce. Cook on low for 6 hours, then shred with a fork.

ENJOY!!

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Instant Pot Chicken Tinga

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 8

Calories 221 kcal

5 from 7 votes

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Ingredients

For the Chicken Tinga:

• 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce*
• 1 tbsp adobo sauce*
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2/3 cup chicken broth
• 2 lbs chicken breast or thighs

For serving:

• 3 cups cauliflower rice**
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 large avocado sliced
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Select the saute function on the Instant Pot. Once hot, coat the bottom of the pot with oil. Toss in onion and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes, or until fragrant. Select cancel. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to a high powered blender or food processor. Clean the bottom of the pot (this will help to prevent a burn message when you bring the chicken to pressure).

2. Now add the diced tomatoes, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, ground cumin, salt, and chicken broth to the onion/garlic in the blender. Pulse until smooth. 

3. Pour the sauce into the Instant Pot. Add the chicken, and secure the lid. Select manual (or high pressure) and cook on high pressure for 9 minutes. Use a quick release.

4. Once steam has been completely removed, remove the lid and take out the chicken. Dice or shred using a fork and knife. Return the chicken back to the pot. At this point you can select cancel, and let the sauce cool and thicken. Or serve immediately.

5. Serve with rice or cauliflower rice, or tortillas. Top with tomatoes, avocado, onion, or fresh cilantro.

Recipe Notes

*If following a Whole30 or strict Paleo diet, you can use 2 tsp chipotle spice powder in place of the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce.

**You can quickly saute the cauliflower rice to cook, or buy frozen rice and heat in the microwave. 

Calories 221kcal

Fat 8g

Saturated fat 1g

Cholesterol 72mg

Sodium 488mg

Potassium 789mg

Carbohydrates 9g

Fiber 3g

Sugar 3g

Protein 26g

Vitamin A 440%

Vitamin C 37.5%

Calcium 42%

Iron 1.4%