Chipotle Chicken Marinade Recipe

4.64 from 47 votes

This succulent grilled Chipotle chicken recipe is smoky, spicy, and bursting with southwestern flavors, thanks to this amazing adobo lime marinade. It's perfect for salads, burritos, tacos, enchiladas and more!

Prep Time5

Cook Time14

Marinating time2

Total Time2 19

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Servings: people

Calories: 452kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

Grill or Indoor Grill Pan

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts *

For the Marinade:

2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced; from 1 (7-ounce) can
¼ cup adobo sauce from the can
2 tablespoons honey **
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice from 1 lime
3 cloves garlic minced
1 dash kosher salt
1 dash ground black pepper

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:

Whisk together the marinade ingredients and pour into a sealable plastic bag or large dish.
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ¼ cup adobo sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 3 cloves garlic, 1 dash kosher salt, 1 dash ground black pepper
Add the chicken to the plastic bag or dish and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
When ready to cook, remove chicken from marinade and set aside.
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.

Grill the Chicken:

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℉.

Video

Notes

*This marinade works with any piece of chicken!

*Agave can be used instead of honey.

Tips:

For better flavor penetration, score the chicken breasts or lightly pound them to even thickness.
Use smoked paprika in the marinade to enhance smokiness if you’re grilling indoors and can’t get that charred flavor naturally.
I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 2 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.
Brush sauce on only during the last few minutes of cooking if you want a thick glaze without burning the sugars in the honey.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This locks in juices and keeps the meat tender and flavorful.
Properly cooked chicken should read 165°F at the thickest point.
The finished chicken is great with some fresh lime juice squeezed on top.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Baking Instructions: Marinate, then bake at 400℉ for 25-35 minutes.
Crockpot Instructions: Place the chicken and all of the marinade/sauce in your crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Storage: Store grilled Chipotle chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition