If you love Chipotle's famous chicken, then you're going to love this copycat chicken recipe. This juicy chipotle chicken is packed with that signature spicy, smoky flavor! This recipe is simple and delicious. Made with minimal effort.
Jump to:
What is Chipotle Chicken?
It's a famous chicken dish served at a Mexican American restaurant chain in North America, called Chipotle Mexican Grill. Chipotle restaurant is known for serving a wide variety of popular delicious Mexican food. Their chicken, usually dark meat not white meat, is marinated in a delicious, smoky Chipotle marinade made with different seasonings and chilis. Then it's cooked on a grill pan over medium-high heat for best flavor. Chipotle's chicken can be served in different ways, like in a chipotle chicken salad, chipotle chicken bowl, inside a burrito, in a fajita, or inside corn tortillas like a taco. It's a great recipe that serves well as a main dish or for meal prep with white rice, brown rice or cilantro lime rice with black beans or pinto beans, pico de gallo or corn salsa, fresh lime juice and sour cream.
I personally love enjoying this chicken with a range of favorite toppings, such as cilantro lime rice, fresh lettuce, pico de gallo or salsa, cooked beans, fajita veggies with creamy sauce.
Ingredients
You’ll need the below simple ingredients for my copycat chipotle chicken recipe. Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.
Note: Your local grocery store will carry these ingredients or you may find some of these ingredients online, like on Amazon.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: or you may substitute with skinless chicken breasts for a leaner alternative. If you use chicken breast, please reduce the cooking time by a couple minutes as breast tends to dry out faster than thighs and only cook until you reach an internal temperature of 160 F with a digital meat thermometer, remove from the heat and allow the residual heat to carry over the cooking process.
- Cooking oil: like olive oil and/or any neutral oil like avocado oil. I would avoid using heavily scented oils such as coconut oil or sesame oil.
Chipotle Chicken Marinade:
- Red onion: or substitute with white onion
- Garlic cloves
- Adobo sauce: from a small can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. You can find canned Chipotle Peppers in Adobo sauce at most grocery stores or possibly on Amazon. If you prefer this chipotle copycat recipe to be spicier, add in 1-2 ancho chiles into the blender.
- Cooking oil: like olive oil and/or any neutral oil like avocado oil. I would avoid using heavily scented oils such as coconut oil or sesame oil.
- Chili powder: or sub with ancho chili powder if you have it
- Ground cumin
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cold water
How to Make Chipotle Chicken
Prepare Chicken
With a fork, pole as many holes into your chicken thighs. This allows the chicken to absorb in as much as the flavorful marinade. Transfer chicken thighs to a large bowl or a large ziplock bag.
Create Marinade
In a blender or food processor, add Marinade ingredients and blend on high into a very smooth paste.
Marinate Chicken
Pour marinade paste over chicken thighs, cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap or seal your Ziplock bag. Marinate chicken overnight for best results or for 2 hours in the fridge.
Pan frying method
In a large skillet on medium heat, heat vegetable oil. Fry marinated chicken thighs for 7-9 minutes giving each piece enough space. Flipping the chicken over half way. Do not overcrowd the pan. Depending on the size of your frying pan, you may need to fry in smaller batches. Cook until chicken juices run clear or an internal temperature of 165 F with a digital meat thermometer. It should have some char marks.
Rest & Dice Chicken
Remove chicken from pan. Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before dicing into pieces with a sharp knife on a cutting board.
Air frying method
Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil. Place chicken thighs in a single layer giving each piece enough space. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to air fry in small batches. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 9-10 minutes. No need to flip. Note: there will be less charring on the cooked chicken using an air fryer over a frying pan.
Storage & Reheating
This will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, air fry at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes until warm or microwave on High for 60-90 seconds.
FAQ
What to serve Chipotle Chicken with?
I love serving this dish with cilantro lime rice and black beans with some homemade guacamole. But you can serve in tacos, wrapped in a burrito, or on top of salad. It's really up to you!
Where do I find canned Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce?
It can be found at select grocers or online on Amazon.
Is there a substitute for Mexican style adobo sauce?
You can try substituting with ranchero sauce or ancho chili paste in this chipotle chicken recipe.
Other Chicken Recipes You May Enjoy
- Gochujang Chicken
- Mongolian Chicken
- Filipino Adobo Chicken
- Korean Style Pork Chops
- Dill Lime Chicken
📖 Recipe
Easy & Simple Copycat Chipotle Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil for cooking
Marinade
- ½ medium sized red onion coarsely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoon adobo sauce from a small can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup water cold
Instructions
- With a fork, pole as many holes into your chicken thighs. This allows the chicken to absorb in as much as the flavorful marinade. Transfer chicken thighs to a large bowl or a large ziplock bag.
- In a blender or food processor, add Marinade ingredients and blend on high into a very smooth paste.
- Pour marinade paste over chicken thighs, cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap or seal your Ziplock bag.
- Marinate chicken overnight for best results or for 2 hours in the fridge.
Pan frying method:
- In a large skillet on medium heat, heat vegetable oil. Fry marinated chicken thighs for 7-9 minutes giving each piece enough space. Flipping the chicken over half way. Do not overcrowd the pan. Depending on the size of your frying pan, you may need to fry in smaller batches. Cook until chicken juices run clear or an internal temperature of 165 F with a digital meat thermometer. It should have some char marks.
Air frying method:
- Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil. Place chicken thighs in a single layer giving each piece enough space. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to air fry in small batches. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 9-10 minutes. No need to flip. Note: there will be less charring on the cooked chicken using an air fryer over a frying pan.
- Diced your cooked chicken and serve.
Suggested Equipment & Products
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mark
This was so good! I will definitely be making this again. It even tasted smoky like how chipotle does it.
Linda
I can't wait to make this again, it was so good.
Shruti
This recipe was so easy and delicious! It’s going to be my go-to for my weekday Mexican rice bowls.