Jun 09 2026
Restaurants›Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville›Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe

Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe

Inspired by Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
Time1h 30m
Serves4

Slow-simmered chicken topped with pickled red onions, cilantro, and a drizzle of creamy avocado Tajín ranch. Served with rice and beans

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Ingredients

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Chicken Tinga

Pickled Red Onions

Creamy Avocado Tajín Ranch

Tacos and Sides

Method

Chicken Tinga Preparation

  1. 1

    Sauté the Aromatics

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

  2. 2

    Cook the Chicken

    Add the chicken thighs to the skillet and sear for about 5 minutes on each side until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.

  3. 3

    Simmer the Sauce

    In the same skillet, add chipotle peppers, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

  4. 4

    Combine and Simmer

    Return the chicken to the skillet, ensuring it's submerged in the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30-35 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.

  5. 5

    Shred the Chicken

    Remove the chicken from the skillet and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the skillet and stir to combine with the sauce. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Pickled Red Onions Preparation

  1. 6

    Pickle the Onions

    In a small saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Pour over the sliced red onions in a bowl and let sit for at least 30 minutes.

Creamy Avocado Tajín Ranch Preparation

  1. 7

    Blend the Dressing

    In a blender, combine ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, Tajín seasoning, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Assembling Tacos and Serving

  1. 8

    Warm the Tortillas

    In a dry skillet, warm the corn tortillas over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side until pliable.

  2. 9

    Assemble the Tacos

    Place a generous amount of chicken tinga on each tortilla. Top with pickled red onions, chopped cilantro, and a drizzle of creamy avocado Tajín ranch.

  3. 10

    Serve with Sides

    Serve the tacos alongside cooked rice and black beans for a complete meal.

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