SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN TINGA TACOS

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Tinga Tacos image

Tinga is a Pueblan dish of braised chicken or pork in a chipotle, tomato and onion sauce, traditionally served on crisp tostadas and finished with toppings like crema, avocado and shredded lettuce. Some versions braise the meat directly in the sauce, while others call for chicken or pork that's already been cooked to be warmed in the sauce. (Some variations include chorizo, too.) The dish is widely popular because it's affordable and versatile, and tastes complex even though it is easy to make. For this slow-cooker adaptation, the bulk of the cook time is hands-off braising. Fresh corn is not traditional in tinga, but it's delicious, adding pops of sweetness and a flavor that echoes the corn tortillas or tostadas. Add one chipotle for a mild spice level or three for a more intense result.

Provided by Sarah DiGregorio

Time 6h20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup crushed tomatoes, preferably fire roasted (about 9 ounces)
5 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
1 to 3 chipotle chiles, minced, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from 1 can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 fresh or dried bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 white or red onion, thinly sliced
Coarse kosher salt
Kernels cut from 2 small ears fresh corn (about 2 cups) or 10 ounces frozen, thawed corn
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Juice of 1/2 lime (about 2 teaspoons), plus more to taste
8 corn tortillas or tostadas
Mexican-style crema or sour cream, for serving
Sliced avocado, for serving

Steps:

  • In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the chicken thighs, crushed tomatoes, garlic, chipotle chiles and adobo sauce, tomato paste, vegetable oil, bay leaf, oregano, cumin and half the onion. (Reserve the other half for serving.) Stir to combine and season with 2 teaspoons of salt. Cook on low until the chicken is very tender, about 6 hours.
  • About 15 minutes before serving, turn the heat to high and stir in the corn kernels, onion powder and lime juice. Cook until the corn is warmed through, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, if using tortillas, warm them.
  • Remove and discard the bay leaf. Using two forks, coarsely shred the chicken. Taste the tinga and add more salt or lime juice if necessary. Serve the tinga on tortillas or tostadas, topped with the remaining sliced onion, the crema and the avocado.

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