Description
This Chipotle Chicken copycat recipe features juicy, marinated chicken thighs infused with smoky chipotle adobo sauce and a blend of spices. Perfectly grilled to achieve a charred exterior and tender, flavorful interior, this dish is ideal for tacos, salads, or main courses.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Chipotle Marinade
- 1 (7-ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (use sauce only, discard or save peppers)
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Blend the sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the adobo sauce from the canned chipotle peppers, water, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, Ancho chili powder, distilled white vinegar, kosher salt, ground cumin, dried oregano, and ground black pepper. Blend the mixture until smooth to create a rich and smoky marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken thighs in a large bowl. Pour the blended chipotle marinade over the chicken and toss well to ensure every piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Cook the chicken: Preheat a grill, flat top griddle, or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the marinated chicken thighs on the cooking surface. Grill or sear the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until the exterior is charred and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C), indicating the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Rest and chop: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Then, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces, ready to serve as a flavorful filling for tacos, salads, or bowls.
Notes
- For extra smoky flavor, you can include some of the chipotle peppers along with the sauce when blending, adjusting to your spice tolerance.
- Marinating overnight enhances tenderness and depth of flavor but 4 hours is sufficient if short on time.
- If grilling outdoors isn’t an option, a cast-iron skillet works well to achieve a charred crust indoors.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked without overcooking.
- Save any leftover chicken for delicious sandwiches or burrito bowls.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
