Chipotle Chicken Marinade Copycat Recipe

It’s time to get creative and switch from fried chicken wings to pan-fried Chipotle Chicken Marinade. Today’s recipe is spicy, sweet, and smoky, too. What’s better is that all of these flavors can be customized to your liking, which makes this an instant hit in the kitchen.  

Chipotle Copycat Chicken Marinade Recipe

Ever since I tried this recipe, Chipotle Chicken Marinade has been my favorite. The soft and tender chicken, with a crispy exterior and a spicy taste, tantalizes the taste buds like nothing else. 

But the best part is that this mouthwatering blend of flavors is easy to make, only requires a pan for cooking, and can be stored in the fridge for about 4 days. What makes this recipe all the more special is its bold flavors. It has a hot and spicy flavor with hints of garlic and cumin, making it impossible for anyone to resist it.

But that’s not where this recipe’s awesomeness ends. You can also make this chicken in an air fryer, oven, or grill! So, gather all the ingredients and equipment and get ready to make this Chipotle Chicken Marinade at home.

Equipment Required

  • Pan: Instead of grilling, I will make this Chipotle Chicken Marinade in the pan.
  • Tongs: I rely on my tongs rather than a spatula to flip the chicken.
  • Bowl: I use a bowl to mix all the ingredients in.
Chipotle Chicken Marinade Recipe

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation TimeResting TimeTotal Time
5 Minutes5 Minutes

How To Make Chipotle Chicken Marinade Recipe At Home

  1. Start by adding honey and olive oil to adobe pepper sauce in a blender.
  2. Add garlic and cumin to amp the taste.
  3. Next, add salt and pepper to add more flavor.
  4. Your sauce is ready to make the marinade.
  5. Mix and coat the chicken well.
  6. Add the coated chicken pieces to the pan.
  7. Let the chicken cook on both sides until it turns golden brown in color.
  8. Once ready, serve them hot!
Top Tips

Expert Tips That I Recommend

  • When it comes to chicken marinade recipes, it is best to marinate and leave the chicken for at least 1-2 hours to absorb all the flavors.  It is best if you can leave it overnight.
  • I like to make small cuts in the chicken before marinating it so that it absorbs all the flavors and spices.
  • I know it is difficult to resist Chipotle Chicken Marinade while making it, yet it is important to keep a low temperature while cooking it. High heat can cook the chicken on the outside but make it raw on the inside.
  • I also avoid overcrowding the pan with chicken and make it in batches since adding too many Chipotle Chicken Marinade on the pan can alter the cooking temperature. This can leave some chicken cooked while some can be undercooked.
  • After cooking, I let the chicken rest for a few minutes before cutting. This allows the juices to redistribute which makes the chicken more tender and flavorful.
  • After cooking the chicken, I also like to deglaze the pan with a bit of broth or wine and scrape up the browned bits, while others make the mistake of putting the dish straight into the sink. This creates a flavorful sauce that can be served with the chicken.
  • Different cuts of chicken may require adjustments in marinade time and cooking methods. For instance, when I use chicken thighs then they need a longer marinating time and different cooking temperatures as compared to breasts.

FAQs About Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Chipotle Chicken Marinade is a nutritious and healthy choice. It is low in fat and calories, which makes it a good choice to enjoy.

To give you an exact idea here is a nutritional chart of Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Calories305 kcal
Carbohydrates7 g
Protein14 g
Fat25 g
Saturated Fat5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat4 g
Monounsaturated Fat15
Trans Fat1 g
Cholesterol54 mg
Sodium246 mg
Potassium154 mg
Fiber1 g
Sugar 6 g
Vitamin A105 IU
Vitamin C2 mg
Calcium15 mg
iron1 mg

One of the good things about this recipe is that it is keto-friendly, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Hence, people following those diets can have it without any hesitation.

Chipotle Style Chicken Marinade Recipe

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

  • Vegan: To serve this dish to my vegan friends, I replace chicken with tofu and marinate it instead of chicken.
  • Vegetarian: While making this in vegetarian style I follow the same steps as I do in vegan recipes.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

  • Countertop: Whenever I make this chipotle marinade chicken recipe, I never leave them on the countertop for more than 2 hours. That’s because beyond this time frame, chicken can spoil due to bacterial growth.
  • Refrigerate: I like to enjoy this Chipotle Chicken Marinade for days, so I refrigerate it for further storage. I use airtight containers or zip-lock bags and store the chicken in them for about four days.
  • Freezing: Freezing this chicken marinade chipotle is also possible. To do this, I like to place the chips in an airtight container that is freezer-friendly and freeze them for about three months.

Reheating

  • Pan: I find reheating my chicken marinade on the pan to be quite convenient. I start by putting some butter or spraying some oil on the pan then I put the chicken marinade and let them heat until they are nice and hot.
  • Microwave: To reheat chicken marinade chipotle in the microwave, I like to place the chips in a microwave-friendly bowl and cover the bowl with a lid. Then, I heat the bowl on medium heat for about 2-5 minutes, depending on the quantity, until they are nice and hot.
  • Oven: Reheating these marinade chicken wings in the oven is also possible.  For this, I place my chicken marinade on the baking tray and put them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10 mins until they are nicely heated.
  • Air Fryer: To reheat the Chipotle Marinade chicken in the air fryer, I start by reheating the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Then, I spray some oil or brush the chicken with butter and then place it in for 5-8 minutes until it is nicely hot.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Chipotle Chicken Marinade tastes even better when shared with multiple other dishes. I like to have it with Tacos or Quesadillas on the side. Combining the crunchiness of Mexican cuisine with this tender chipotle marinade chicken is a must-try.

This dish can also be used to make a Burrito Bowl at home. Simply add the chipotle marinade chicken with rice, corn, cucumbers, beans, lettuce and cottage cheese.

If this sounds too heavy for you then you can skip the rice and have this with a salad. Salad with chipotle marinade chicken is a powerful combination which is full of protein and fibers.

Some other basic options include having this with sandwiches, Wraps, or nachos on the side. If you want to enjoy these delicious bites on their own, you can also enjoy them with a drink or your choice to call it a day.

Printable Version

Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Serving : 6
Calories : 305 kcal
Total time : 5 minutes
This chipotle marinade chicken recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. It gets ready easily and goes with a variety of dishes on the side. So, learn how to make this recipe at home and get ready to treat yourself tonight.
5 from 2 votes
LEAVE REVIEW »

Ingredients

  • 6 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Honey
  • 4 Large Cloves Garlic
  • 4-5 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
  • ½ Tablespoon Cumin
  • ½ Tablespoon Kosher Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
  • 2 Lb. Chicken Breast

Equipment

  • Pan
  • Tongs
  • Bowl

Instructions
 

  • Start by adding honey and olive oil to adobe pepper sauce in a blender.
  • Add garlic and cumin to amp the taste.
  • Next, add salt and pepper to add more flavor.
  • Your sauce is ready to make the marinade.
  • Mix and coat the chicken well.
  • Add the coated chicken pieces to the pan.
  • Let the chicken cook on both sides until it turns golden brown in color.
  • Once ready, serve them hot!

Video

Notes

  • When it comes to chicken marinade recipes, it is best to marinate and leave the chicken for at least 1-2 hours to absorb all the flavors.  It is best if you can leave it overnight.
  • I like to make small cuts in the chicken before marinating it so that it absorbs all the flavors and spices.
  • I know it is difficult to resist chipotle marinade chicken while making it, yet it is important to keep a low temperature while cooking it. High heat can cook the chicken on the outside but make it raw on the inside.
  • I also avoid overcrowding the pan with chicken and make it in batches since adding too many chipotle marinade chicken on the pan can alter the cooking temperature. This can leave some chicken cooked while some can be undercooked.
  • After cooking, I let the chicken rest for a few minutes before cutting. This allows the juices to redistribute which makes the chicken more tender and flavorful.
  • After cooking the chicken, I also like to deglaze the pan with a bit of broth or wine and scrape up the browned bits, while others make the mistake of putting the dish straight into the sink. This creates a flavorful sauce that can be served with the chicken.
  • Different cuts of chicken may require adjustments in marinade time and cooking methods. For instance, when I use chicken thighs then they need a longer marinating time and different cooking temperatures as compared to breasts.
Prep Time : 5 minutes
Total Time : 5 minutes
Cuisine : Mexican
Course : Copycat Recipes

Nutrition

Calories : 305kcal  |  Carbohydrates : 7g  |  Protein : 14g  |  Fat : 25g  |  Saturated Fat : 5g  |  Polyunsaturated Fat : 4g  |  Monounsaturated Fat : 15g  |  Trans Fat : 1g  |  Cholesterol : 54mg  |  Sodium : 246mg  |  Potassium : 154mg  |  Fiber : 1g  |  Sugar : 6g  |  Vitamin A : 105IU  |  Vitamin C : 2mg  |  Calcium : 15mg  |  Iron : 1mg

More Chipotle Recipes That You Can Try

Conclusion

Whenever I make this, my friends and family are surprised that I made it at home. The bold flavors of the chili peppers are spicy but not too intense. I am sure you are already drilling while reading the recipe, and if you have made it so far, then why not give this a try?

If you do, please write your thoughts about this recipe in the comment section below and any queries you have. I would love to address your doubts and hear your success stories with this recipe.

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating