Print

Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe

4.4 from 107 reviews

This Copycat Chipotle Chicken recipe delivers tender, smoky, and spicy grilled chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful blend of chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, and spices. Perfect for replicating the iconic Chipotle flavor at home, it’s great for burrito bowls, tacos, salads, or wraps.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Marinade

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Make the marinade: In a blender or food processor, combine chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth to create a flavorful marinade.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into a large zip-top bag or bowl. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though marinating overnight is best for deeper flavor absorption.
  3. Cook the chicken: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, cook the chicken thighs for 6 to 8 minutes on each side until they are nicely charred on the outside and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  4. Rest and chop: Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Then chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces, similar to Chipotle’s serving style.
  5. Serve and enjoy: Use the chopped chicken as a filling for burrito bowls, tacos, salads, or wraps for a delicious homemade Chipotle-style meal.

Notes

  • For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to 165°F.
  • Adjust the number of chipotle peppers to control the spice level.
  • Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • If you don’t have a grill pan, you can also cook the chicken on an outdoor grill or in a regular skillet.

Keywords: chipotle chicken, grilled chicken, chipotle marinade, copycat chipotle recipe, mexican chicken, chicken thighs, grilled chicken recipe