Chipotle Chicken Marinade Copycat Recipe

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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.

What's In The Post

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 6 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 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 Breast: If I don’t have fresh chicken breasts, I use frozen chicken thighs or drumsticks instead.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Resting Time	Total Time
5 Minutes	–	5 Minutes

How To Make Chipotle Chicken Marinade Recipe At Home

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!

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

How do you know if the Chipotle Chicken Marinade is ready?

To determine if Chipotle Marinade chicken is ready, you can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Ideally, the temperature should be 165 degrees F for the chicken to be cooked. But if you don’t have a thermometer, you can also use a knife or fork to check the doneness. If the chicken turns white from the inside, then it is fully cooked. However, if it is still pink, then it needs to be cooked further.

Why is my Chipotle Chicken Marinade rubbery?

Overcooking your Chipotle marinade chicken can ruin its texture, making it rubbery or chewy. That’s because a long cooking time makes the protein in the chicken rubbery.

Why is my Chipotle Chicken Marinade tough?

There are two main causes why your chipotle Marinade chicken can be tough. You have either overcooked or undercooked your chicken both of which leads to unappetizing chicken texture. While overcooking can make the chicken dry and tough, undercooking it will make it chewy and rubbery in texture.

Why does my Chipotle Chicken Marinade taste so bland?

Chipotle Marinade chicken can turn out to be bland if it is not marinated properly or if the marinated chicken is not allowed to sit for long. Therefore, marinate the chicken and let it sit for about at least 1-2 hours to let the chicken absorb all the flavors.

Can I prepare the marinade in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the marinade in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also marinate your chicken and store it in the fridge, as this enhances the taste of the chicken. Remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking and enjoy.

For how long can I bake or grill this recipe?

If you are planning to grill this recipe, then grill your chicken at low heat for 6-8 mins on each side until clear grill marks appear on the chicken. To bake, transfer the chicken to a baking dish and bake it at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes.

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.
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

More Chipotle Recipes That You Can Try

Chicken Chipotle Bowl In Blue Bowl — Chipotle Chicken Bowl

Chipotle roasted chili corn salsa — Chipotle Chicken Bowl

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.