Copycat Chipotle Chicken
Craving that amazing smoky Chipotle chicken but want to make it at home? This incredible copycat recipe brings all those bold, zesty flavors right to your kitchen! Your family is going to absolutely love this tender, perfectly spiced chicken that tastes just like the restaurant version.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Active Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes, Serves: 8 people
Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Heart-Healthy, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 157 Calories, 3g Fat, 4g Carbs, 27g Protein
Ingredients You’ll Need
Red onion: You’ll need 1 cup chopped up, which is about one medium onion. The red onion adds such a nice sweet flavor that balances the heat perfectly!
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: One 7-ounce can is what makes this recipe so special. These smoky peppers give you that authentic Chipotle taste we all love.
Fresh lime juice: About 1/2 cup from roughly 5 limes. Trust me, fresh lime juice makes all the difference – it’s so much brighter than the bottled stuff!
Garlic: 2 tablespoons chopped up, which is about 6 cloves. Don’t worry if you use a little more – garlic lovers unite!
Ground cumin: Just 1 teaspoon of this earthy spice adds that warm, toasty flavor that makes everything taste amazing.
Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon brings in that classic Mexican herb taste. You can use fresh if you have it – just double the amount!
Salt and pepper: 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper to make all those flavors pop.
Chicken breasts: 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2-inch pieces. This size cooks perfectly and soaks up all that delicious marinade!
How to Make Copycat Chipotle Chicken
Step 1: Grab your food processor and toss in the onion, chipotles, lime juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Process everything for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it’s mostly smooth. You want it well combined but a few small chunks are totally fine!
Step 2: Pour that amazing marinade into a large zip-top bag. Add your chicken pieces and seal it up tight. Give it a gentle massage to coat everything evenly. Pop it in the fridge for at least 3 hours, but up to 12 hours is even better!
Step 3: When you’re ready to cook, let the chicken sit at room temperature while you heat up your grill pan over medium-high heat. You can also use an outdoor grill if you prefer!
Step 4: Remove the chicken from the marinade and toss the leftover marinade. Spray your grill pan lightly with cooking spray. Cook the chicken for about 6 minutes, turning it halfway through. You want it lightly charred and cooked all the way through!
Easy and Quick Copycat Chipotle Chicken Version
Need this faster? You can marinate the chicken for just 30 minutes at room temperature! It won’t be quite as flavorful, but it’s still delicious. You can also use a regular skillet instead of a grill pan – just cook it the same way over medium-high heat.
Serving Ideas
This chicken is perfect for so many meals! Make burrito bowls with rice, beans, and your favorite toppings. Stuff it into warm tortillas for amazing tacos. Toss it over fresh greens for a healthy salad that actually tastes incredible.
Storage
Store leftover chicken in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To reheat, just warm it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. It tastes great cold in salads too!
Substitutions
No chipotle peppers? Try 1 tablespoon smoked paprika plus 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Chicken thighs work great instead of breasts – just cook them a minute or two longer. Lemon juice can replace lime juice in a pinch, though lime is definitely better!
Pro Tips
- Marinate longer for more heat: The longer you marinate, the spicier it gets!
- Don’t skip the char: Those slightly blackened edges add so much flavor.
- Save some adobo sauce: Drizzle a little extra on top when serving for extra kick.
- Make extra: This chicken is perfect for meal prep throughout the week.
FAQs
Can I make this less spicy?
You bet! Use just half the can of chipotles, or remove some of the seeds from the peppers before blending. The adobo sauce has most of the flavor, so you’ll still get that smoky taste!
Can I freeze the marinated chicken?
Sure! Put the chicken and marinade in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before cooking. It actually makes the chicken even more tender!
What if I don’t have a food processor?
No worries! A blender works great too. You can also finely chop everything by hand and mash it together – it just takes a little more elbow grease!
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The chicken should reach 165°F on a meat thermometer. If you don’t have one, cut into the thickest piece – it should be white all the way through with no pink spots!
I hope you love this copycat Chipotle chicken as much as my family does! Let me know how it turns out for you – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures. Happy cooking, friends!
