Grilled chicken breasts are juicy, tender, and made flavorful with the best marinade in this Chipotle Chicken Recipe! The chipotle marinade is boldly flavored with tangy lime juice, spicy chipotle peppers, sweet honey and more. It’s also used as a sauce to coat the chicken with for even more flavor!
Why we love this Grilled Chipotle Chicken Recipe
As soon as I tasted this saucy chicken fresh off the grill, I became obsessed. Here’s why:
- The sauce. I think I could eat the chipotle sauce with a spoon, right out of the food processor. It’s the best balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors!
- So tender. The lime juice in the marinade doesn’t just add flavor! Natural acidity from freshly squeezed lime juice helps make the chicken more tender.
- So easy. Marinate, grill, make it saucy, and enjoy.
Is chipotle chicken spicy?
There is some heat from the chipotle peppers, but it’s not too intense. The honey, lime juice and adobo sauce all work together to create a great balance of bold flavors so it’s not too spicy.
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How to Store and Reheat
Once the chicken has cooled down, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I recommend using an air fryer or the oven to reheat your leftovers so you maintain the juiciness of the chicken.
How to Freeze
Let the chicken fully cool to room temperature prior to freezing! In a freezer safe container, it’ll stay good for up to 3 months. Let the chicken thaw in the refrigerator prior to reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Here are just a few of my favorite side dishes to plate with grilled chipotle chicken:
- Cilantro lime rice
- Authentic Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
You can certainly bake in the oven. This makes the juicy chicken without overcooking or burning it. Bake it at a high heat (425°F) for about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the breasts. Cook it until it reaches 165°F, then remove it from the oven and cover for 10 minutes.
Insert your food thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken (for a whole chicken, that would be the breast). You know your chicken is cooked when the thermometer reads 180°F (82°C) for a whole chicken, or 165°F (74°C) for chicken cuts.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes We Love
- BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Grilled BBQ Chicken
- Chicken Spiedini
- Hawaiian Chicken Kebobs
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Beer Can Chicken
Top Reader Review
“Delicious, light supper. Today, my husband is still raving about how good it was. Thanks for the great recipe. I’ve become a big fan!” – Debby J.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken (Chipotle Lime Marinade)
Ingredients
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced
- ¼ cup adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Juice of 2 small or 1 large lime
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- dash salt and pepper
- 2 pounds chicken
Instructions
- Whisk together the marinade ingredients and pour into a sealable plastic bag or large dish. Add the chicken to the plastic bag or dish and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours.2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ¼ cup adobo sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, ¼ cup olive oil, Juice of 2 small or 1 large lime, 3 cloves garlic, dash salt and pepper
- When ready to cook, remove chicken from marinade and set aside.2 pounds chicken
- Pour the marinade into a saucepan, and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer for a couple of minutes, until thickened.
- For a smoother sauce, transfer to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Heat a grill to medium-high heat (or place a skillet over medium-high heat).
- Add marinated chicken to the grill (or skillet) and brush liberally with the sauce. Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes per side, brushing both sides with sauce.
- Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Marinade for at least two hours.
- If grilling, lightly brush the grill with olive oil, this prevents the chicken from sticking and tearing.
- Ideally use a covered grill. A covered grill creates a sealed, oven-like environment that surrounds your food on all sides, which is especially important when you’re trying to thoroughly cook chicken.
- The finished chicken is great with some fresh lime juice squeezed on top.
- Serve with some rice, salad, or slice it up and use it in a wrap – delicious!
How to make Grilled Chipotle Chicken Step by Step
Make the marinade: Whisk together 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1/4 cup adobo sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1/4 cup olive oil, the juice of 2 limes, 3 minced cloves of garlic and a dash of salt and pepper.
Marinate the chicken: Cover 2 pounds of chicken with the chipotle marinade. Transfer it to a zip-top bag or keep it in the bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Simmer the sauce: Pour all of the marinade from the bag/bowl into a pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and keep the sauce simmering for a few minutes until thickened.
Blend: Pour the marinade into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.
Coat the chicken: Add chicken to a grill that’s set to medium-high heat. Brush it liberally with the chipotle sauce.
Cook the chicken: Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, making sure each side is coated in plenty of that delicious sauce!
I have to prepare this recipe, sounds yummy
I hope you enjoy!!
My husband and I loved this recipe! I pretty much followed the recipe, but I omitted the olive oil. We’re on a low fat food plan (don’t tell my husband!) so I cut oil where I can. I sprayed my tablespoon with olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure all of my honey went into the sauce. But, that was the only change in the sauce. Only prepared two chicken breast, so poured about 1/2 – 2/3 of sauce into bag with chicken. Retained the rest separately and heated to mix into wild rice that I served the chicken on. Served with an avocado salad and sliced cantaloupe. Delicious, light supper. Today, my husband is still raving about how good it was. Thanks for the great recipe. I’ve become a big fan!
Wow! That sounds delicious!! I’m so so happy you both loved it so much!
It looks delicious I loved it Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I see that you used dried chiptole peppers. Can you tell me how you made the chiptole sauce or did you buy it? I really want to make this recipe. TIA
You can buy it!