Description
This Chipotle Honey Chicken Copycat recipe features tender, smoky, and sweet boneless chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful blend of chipotle peppers, honey, and spices. Perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, and quesadillas, this easy-to-make grilled chicken packs a punch with a delightful balance of smoky heat and sweetness. The chicken is marinated for enhanced flavor, grilled to perfection, and tossed in a reserved chipotle honey sauce for an irresistible finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp chipotle in adobo (use 4 tbsp for extra spiciness, see notes)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey (see notes)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, mash the minced garlic, chipotle in adobo, smoked paprika, ground cumin, oregano, sea salt, and black pepper together using the back of a spoon to form a thick, flavorful paste.
- Mix Liquid Ingredients: Whisk in the avocado oil, red wine vinegar, and honey into the spice paste until the mixture is smooth and emulsified, creating a perfectly balanced marinade.
- Reserve Marinade: Set aside 2 tablespoons of this marinade in a small container and refrigerate it for later use in tossing the cooked chicken.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a larger container and pour the remaining marinade over them. Toss well to coat each piece thoroughly, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to penetrate, or up to 24 hours for maximum taste.
- Preheat Grill: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to maintain a steady temperature of approximately 400ºF. Remove the marinated chicken and reserved marinade from the refrigerator.
- Grill Chicken: Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Lay the chicken thighs onto the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes until they release easily from the grill surface. Flip the chicken and grill for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until fully cooked through and juices run clear.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and cut into bite-sized pieces. Toss the warm chicken with the reserved chipotle honey marinade to add extra flavor. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
- Safety Note: Do not reuse any marinade that has come into contact with raw chicken to avoid foodborne illness. Only use the reserved marinade that was set aside before adding the raw meat.
Notes
- This recipe is inspired by Chipotle’s smoky and sweet honey chicken, perfect for adding a flavorful protein to Mexican-inspired dishes like tacos, burrito bowls, or quesadillas.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle in adobo to control the heat level—doubling it makes the dish spicier.
- Make sure to reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken to safely toss the cooked meat with extra flavor.
- Use avocado oil for its high smoke point and neutral flavor, but other oils suitable for grilling can be substituted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 208 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 491 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.02 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 108 mg
