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 even better is that all these flavors can be customized to your liking, making this an instant hit in the kitchen.
Ever since I tried this recipe, Chipotle Chicken Marinade has been my favorite. The soft, tender chicken, with a crispy exterior and a spicy kick, 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, spicy flavor with hints of garlic and cumin, making it impossible for anyone to resist.
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 Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 2 people. You adjust the quantity of the ingredients according to your requirements.
- 6 Tablespoons Olive Oil: You can also use vegetable or avocado oil instead of this.
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 4 Large Cloves of Garlic
- 4-5 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: When I run out of Adobo sauce, I use chipotle hot sauce or chili garlic sauce.
- ½ Tablespoon Cumin
- ½ Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
- 2 Lb. Chicken
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Resting Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 15 Minutes | 50 Minutes |
How To Make Chipotle Chicken Marinade Recipe At Home
Step 1
Start by adding honey and olive oil to the adobe pepper sauce in a blender.
Step 2
Add garlic and cumin to amp the taste.
Step 3
Next, add salt and pepper and blend until smooth.
Step 4
Mix the chicken well with the marinade, then coat it thoroughly.
Step 5
Keep it aside for 30 minutes.
Step 6
Add the coated chicken pieces to the pan. Let the chicken cook on both sides until it turns golden brown. Once ready, serve them hot!
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- When it comes to chicken marinade recipes, it is best to marinate the chicken for at least 1-2 hours to allow it 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, but it is important to keep the temperature low while cooking. 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 cook it in batches, since adding too much Chipotle Chicken Marinade can alter the cooking temperature. This can leave some chicken cooked while others are 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 pairs well with the chicken.
- Different cuts of chicken may require adjustments in marinade time and cooking methods. For instance, when I use chicken thighs, they need a longer marinating time and different cooking temperatures than 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
| Calories | 305 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Protein | 14 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15 |
| Trans Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 54 mg |
| Sodium | 246 mg |
| Potassium | 154 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Vitamin A | 105 IU |
| Vitamin C | 2 mg |
| Calcium | 15 mg |
| iron | 1 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.
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.
Reheating
- Pan: I find reheating my chicken marinade in the pan to be quite convenient. I start by putting some butter or oil in the pan, then I add the chicken marinade and let it heat until it’s nice and hot.
- Microwave: To reheat the Chipotle chicken marinade, I like to place the chips in a microwave-safe bowl and cover them with a lid. Then I heat the bowl on medium heat for 2-5 minutes, depending on the quantity, until the contents are nice and hot.
- Oven: Reheating these marinated chicken wings in the oven is also possible. For this, I place my chicken marinade on a baking tray and put it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10 mins, until it’s nicely heated.
- Air Fryer: To reheat the Chipotle Marinade chicken in the air fryer, I preheat 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-marinated chicken to rice with 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. A salad with chipotle-marinated chicken is a powerful combination rich in protein and fiber.
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 pair them with a Slush drink or call it a day.
Printable Version
Chipotle Chicken Marinade Recipe
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 and blend until smooth.
- Mix and coat the chicken well with the marinade.
- Keep it aside for 30 minutes.
- Add the coated chicken pieces to the pan. Let the chicken cook on both sides until it turns golden brown. Once ready, serve them hot!
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.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
Whenever I make this, my friends and family are surprised that I made it at home. The chili peppers’ bold flavors 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.
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