Chipotle Chicken – The Almond Eater

This easy Grilled Chipotle Chicken recipe is made with boneless chicken thighs and it’s loaded with flavor. Prep the chicken to use on salads, tacos or in a homemade burrito bowl and thank yourself later! 

Bring on the summer chicken recipes, starting with this quick and easy chipotle chicken! 

 

Chipotle is one of my favorite seasoning options because it packs a punch and it’s incredibly versatile. Grilled chicken automatically has the best flavor, so combining the two seemed like a no-brainer. 

These grilled chicken thighs are a classic, but this grilled chipotle chicken takes it up a notch. 

Why this recipe works

• An incredibly flavorful chicken recipe that can be made on the grill, in the oven or even in the air fryer.
• No matter how you cook the chicken, the result is a juicy chicken recipe.
• Marinate the chicken while you’re at work, then cook it within 10 minutes when you get home!

Ingredients

Chicken thighs – I used boneless skinless chicken thighs, but bone-in thighs or boneless chicken breasts are an option too. See “tips and tricks” section below if you prefer those cuts of chicken. 

Chipotle in adobo – A key ingredient in anything chipotle-flavored, like my chipotle chicken tacos or my seared salmon with chipotle salsa.

Spices – A mix of chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper creates the perfect chipotle-flavored dry rub that’s anything but boring. 

Olive oil – Oil mixes with the spices to create a nice marinade. Avocado oil or another neutral-tasting oil is an ok alternative, but olive oil provides more flavor. 

Lime juice – The acidity balances out the spiciness of the dry rub, so I do recommend including it. Always use fresh lime juice, not juice from a jar. 

Instructions

Step 1: Combine spices. In a small bowl, stir the olive oil, chipotle in adobo sauce, and all of the spices together. 

Step 2: Marinate chicken. Place the chicken in a plastic bag or shallow dish, then pour the chipotle chicken marinade overtop. Seal the bag and shake it so that all of the chicken is coated, and marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours in the fridge.

Step 3: Grill chicken. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400° F). Once hot, add the chicken smooth side down and cook for 5-6 minutes, then use kitchen tongs to flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes. Let the chicken rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing. 

Step 4: Serve. Serve this chicken on its own alongside cilantro lime rice and guacamole, or create a homemade burrito bowl similar to this vegan burrito bowl, but with chicken!

Tips and tricks

• Make sure to use only the adobo sauce from the can of chipotles in adobo, not the actual chipotle peppers. The first time I tested this I only used the chipotle sauce and found it wasn’t enough chipotle flavor, hence why I suggest using both the sauce and the actual chipotle chili powder seasoning. 

Using different cuts of chicken

Cook times vary depending on the thickness of the chicken; always use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165° F. 

• Bone-in chicken thighs: Cook skin-side down for 7 minutes, then flip over and cook for 8-12 additional minutes. 
• Boneless chicken breasts: Cook for 5 minutes smooth side down, then flip and cook for 3-5 more minutes. 

Cooking chicken in the oven or air fryer:

• Oven: Place chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and heat the oven to 425° F. Bake chicken for 20 minutes, then broil it for 2-4 minutes. 
• Air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Air fry the chicken smooth side down for 12 minutes, then flip over and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes.

Are chicken thighs healthy? 

I think so! As long as they’re eaten within a balanced diet filled with vegetables and whole grains, chicken thighs are an excellent source of protein. They include more fat and are higher in calories than chicken breasts, but again, I’m all about everything in moderation.

What should I serve this with? 

Serve the chicken on tacos, salad, or make your own burrito bowl filled with rice, lettuce, pinto beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheese, avocado, etc. You could also prep a side of black bean corn salsa, corn dip or serrano salsa for extra heat. 

Storage

Refrigerator – Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Freezer – Wait for the chicken to cool, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using. 

More chicken recipes

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!