Chilaquiles de Tinga con Pollo (Chicken Tinga Chilaquiles)
Crisp tortilla chips simmered briefly in smoky chipotle sauce with shredded chicken, finished with crema and fresh onion.
Made with Chipotle tinga sauce and Tostadas and totopos (tortilla chips) and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.10 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Break the tostadas (see the base recipe) into rough triangles with your hands.
- 2
Put your ready made chipotle tinga sauce (see the base recipe) and 150 ml of water in a large wide pan and bring to a simmer.
- 3
Stir in your ready made shredded chicken (see the base recipe) and heat for 5 minutes until hot all the way through.
5 min - 4
Tip in the tortilla pieces and toss to coat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes only, so they soften at the edges but keep some crunch.
1 min 30 s - 5
Divide between plates straight away. Top with onion rings, queso fresco, crema, coriander and avocado.
- 6
Serve with lime wedges and eat while hot.
Tips
- Add the chips last and serve quickly. Left to sit they turn to mush, which some people like but most do not.
- Slightly stale chips work best because they soak up sauce without falling apart.
- For extra richness, top each plate with a fried egg.
Storing and freezing
Eat straight away. The sauce and chicken keep separately in the fridge for up to 3 days, but chips softened in sauce do not store well.
Questions
What are chilaquiles?
Chilaquiles are a Mexican breakfast of fried tortilla pieces simmered in a red or green sauce, usually topped with crema, cheese, onion and sometimes egg or chicken.
Can I use shop bought tortilla chips?
Yes, use plain salted chips that are thick and sturdy. Avoid flavoured or very thin ones, which collapse in the sauce.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, if your tostadas, tinga sauce and chipotles are gluten free. Corn tortillas are naturally gluten free but check shop bought chips.
More made with chipotle tinga sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.