This chipotle chicken recipe is smoky, slightly spicy, and packed with bold flavor. It’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or meal prep — and it’s easy to make with simple ingredients like chipotle peppers in adobo and lime.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe gives you juicy, flavorful chicken with a rich chipotle marinade that tastes like restaurant-style chicken at home. It’s also very flexible — you can cook it on the stove, grill it, bake it, or air fry it.
How To Make Chipotle Chicken
Ingredients:
For the marinade
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce + 2 tbsp adobo sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Juice of 2 limes
For the chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
Directions:
- Make the marinade: Blend chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, olive oil, honey, lime juice, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Marinate the chicken: Place chicken in a bag or bowl and coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
- Cook & rest: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Rest 5 minutes, then slice.
Prep Time And Nutrition Facts
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep plus marinating time, and about 20 minutes to cook. It makes about 6 servings, and each serving is roughly 275 calories with high protein.
How To Serve Chipotle Chicken
Serve it in burrito bowls with rice and beans, in tacos with cilantro and lime, or on a salad with avocado. It also works great in wraps and quesadillas.
How To Store Chipotle Chicken
Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water.
Tips To Make Chipotle Chicken
- Start with 2 chipotle peppers if you want it mild, then increase next time.
- Don’t cook on very high heat — the honey can burn.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing so it stays juicy.
- Slice against the grain for the most tender bites.
Health And Benefits Of This Recipe
This chicken is high in protein and works well for meal prep. You can make it lighter by using chicken breast and reducing honey slightly, while keeping the same bold chipotle flavor.
Variation (If Any)
- Mild version: use 2 chipotle peppers instead of 4
- No honey: swap honey for maple syrup or leave it out
- Bake: 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes
- Air fry: 380°F (193°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway
FAQs
- Is chipotle chicken spicy? It’s medium spicy, but you can reduce heat by using fewer chipotle peppers.
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Yes, just cook carefully so they don’t dry out.
- How long should I marinate the chicken? At least 2 hours, but overnight gives the best flavor.
- Can I grill this chipotle chicken? Yes — grill on medium-high heat about 6–8 minutes per side.
- Can I freeze the chicken after cooking? Yes, freeze up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge.
- What can I serve with chipotle chicken? Rice, beans, corn salsa, avocado, tortillas, or salad are all great.
- Can I make the marinade ahead of time? Yes, make it up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge.
Chipotle Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Blend chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, olive oil, honey, lime juice, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Place chicken in a bag or bowl and coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
