Chipotle Chicken Recipe (2024)

Why This Recipe Works

Perfect for Meal Prep: This chipotle chicken marinade recipe is perfect to help you create flavor packed, tender chicken for all your meal prep needs. The flavors are super versatile and can be used in salads, tacos, burritos or bowls! Doesn’t a chipotle chicken bowl just sound amazing? Or, plan this one for a simple weeknight meal. You won’t be disappointed!

Simple Yet Tasty: Let’s admit it, chicken is one of the easiest protein options to add to a meal. But it can get boring if we don’t keep it flavorful! That is where this chipotle chicken marinade should come in. It is simple to make yet has a spicy, smoky flavor that won’t ever get boring. Even the picky eaters are going to love this chicken recipe!

Ingredients

My chipotle chicken recipe uses easy to find pantry staples! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: All you need is one pepper from the can of chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce. Then reserve about one tablespoon of the adobo sauce for a bit more flavor in the marinade.
• Honey: Honey will balance out the smoky flavors of the chipotle peppers and the smoked paprika.
• Lime: For a bit of acidity, add fresh lime juice of 1/2 of a lime to the marinade. Keep the other half to use as wedges for serving!
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic works best here for the most flavor!
• Spices: Salt, smoked paprika and cumin will season this chicken to perfection!
• Chicken: You can use chicken breast that is pounded to 3/4 inch thickness, or you can opt for skinless, boneless thighs.

Here’s How to Make It

Step by Step Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: Combine the oil, chipotle and sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic, salt, paprika and cumin in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces and stir until coated. Marinate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
2. Cook the Chicken: To cook the chicken, shake off most of the marinade and either grill or cook in a cast iron skillet with a splash of oil or cooking spray for 15 minutes, or until just cooked through.

Expert Tips

• Make sure the chicken pieces are similar thickness! To ensure that each piece of chicken cooks all the way through without overcooking the outside, I like to pound the pieces of chicken to about 3/4 inch thickness. This way, they remain juicy on the inside with a sear on the outside and cook to the right temperature!
• Chicken can marinade between 30 minutes up to overnight. I recommend the sweet spot of just about 4 hours, so the chipotle chicken will have enough time to soak up all the flavors!
• If grilling, grill the chicken at a medium heat. You don’t want to grill it at a high heat and have the outside be done before the inside!
• After using the marinade, toss it out. It will have bacteria due to the raw chicken so you unfortunately cannot use it for anything else!

Is chipotle chicken spicy?

This chipotle chicken recipe is slightly spicy, but not overwhelmingly so! If you have never had chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, they have a deep smoky flavor along with a bit of spice. If you aren’t into spicy foods, you can try to use 1/2 pepper instead of a whole pepper!

What should I eat with chipotle chicken?

This chipotle chicken recipe can be served in so many ways! Try having it with a side of Spanish rice and street corn salad. Don’t forget the salsa!

How to store leftover chipotle chicken?

Store any leftover chipotle chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until heated through.