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Easy Chicken Tinga Tostadas Recipe


  • Author: Jennie Graham
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 810 tostadas 1x

Description

Smoky, spicy, and bursting with authentic Mexican flavor, these Chicken Tinga Tostadas are made with tender shredded chicken simmered in a chipotle-tomato sauce and served over crispy tostada shells. Perfect for a quick dinner, entertaining guests, or meal prep, this dish is as versatile as it is delicious.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 810 tostada shells
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 plum tomatoes
  • 45 tomatillos
  • 1/2 onion
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 3 chipotles in adobo
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1/4 cup + 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Queso Fresco (optional)
  • Mexican Crema (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional)
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Dissolve 1/4 cup salt in a quart of water. Add chicken breasts and brine in fridge for 30 minutes. Pat dry and place on baking sheet.
  2. Rinse and de-stem tomatoes and tomatillos. Add to baking sheet with chicken. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes until chicken reaches 160°F.
  3. Let chicken cool slightly, then shred with two forks. Set aside until needed.
  4. Roughly chop onion and sauté in oil over medium heat. Add whole garlic cloves and cook until onion browns.
  5. Blend onion-garlic mixture with chipotles, roasted tomatoes, and tomatillos. Remove chipotle seeds for less heat.
  6. Return sauce to pan. Add oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and adobo sauce. Simmer and taste for seasoning.
  7. Add shredded chicken to sauce and simmer until heated through and flavors meld.
  8. Heat tostadas in oven for 2-3 minutes until crispy and warm.
  9. Spread refried beans on tostadas, top with chicken tinga, and add desired garnishes.
  10. Serve immediately with lime wedges and enjoy while tostadas are crispy.

Notes

  • Brine the chicken for juicier results, but rotisserie chicken works great for a quicker option
  • Remove chipotle seeds to control heat level – start with less and add more to taste
  • Roasting vegetables instead of boiling intensifies flavors and adds depth to the sauce
  • Make the tinga sauce ahead of time as flavors improve after sitting for a few hours
  • Warm tostadas just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Roasting, Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tostada
  • Calories: 285
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 580mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: tostadas, chicken tinga, chipotle chicken, Mexican tostadas, shredded chicken, tomatillo sauce, chicken tacos alternative