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5 from 1 vote

Chipotle Chicken

This chipotle chicken copycat recipe uses a smoky, garlicky chipotle-adobo marinade and a quick high-heat cook to make the most delicious chicken.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 8 minutes
Total Time2 hours 23 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: budget friendly, chicken, gluten free, kid friendly
Author: Ali

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo + 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from the can)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • juice of 1 lime

Instructions

  • Make the marinade. In a blender (or using an immersion blender), combine the chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, oil, white vinegar, ancho chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth.
  • Marinate the chicken. Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss thoroughly to coat every piece. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours for best texture and flavor. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off.
  • Grill or sear. Preheat an outdoor grill to high heat (475–500°F), or heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Lightly oil the grates or skillet. Place the chicken on the grill or in the pan and cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes, until deeply charred and caramelized on the bottom. Flip and cook another 4–6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170–175°F.
  • Rest and chop. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 8–10 minutes. Slice into strips, then chop into small ½-inch pieces. Sprinkle evenly with the lime juice and toss to coat. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  • Serve. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Oven instructions: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or in a baking dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170 to 175°F. For a little extra color on top, switch the oven to broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes and keep a close eye on it.
Air fryer instructions: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if needed so they're not overlapping. Cook for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 170 to 175°F. The outside won't get quite the same char as the grill, but it'll still get nicely browned and a little crispy around the edges.