This Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe is bursting with smoky, spicy flavors and is incredibly easy to make at home. Perfect for burritos, bowls, or salads, it brings the authentic taste of Chipotle to your kitchen.
The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
We order Chipotle often and occasionally recreate the recipes at home. It took a bit of trial and error to get this Chipotle Chicken just how I wanted it, but I think I nailed it. This recipe is adapted from the ingredients of the restaurant's chicken marinade but adds lime for more flavor.
You can use this chicken in many different ways. Use it to make your own Chipotle bowls, over cilantro lime rice, with toppings like black beans, pinto beans, fajita vegetables, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and salsa. You can also use it in a burrito or on a salad topped with chipotle vinaigrette. I like to make a big batch of this chicken and use it in a few different meals.
Ingredients at a Glance
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Chicken: boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breast; just adjust the cooking time as they tend to cook faster and can dry out more easily.
- Peppers and Aromatics: chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and garlic cloves. For this recipe, you will use some of the sauce from the can and 1 pepper.
- Spices: ground cumin, dried oregano, black pepper, and kosher salt
- Liquids: canola oil, white vinegar, lime juice
How to make Copycat Chipotle Chicken
The key ingredient is the chipotle marinade. Combine the chipotle pepper sauce from the can, the chipotle pepper, garlic, cumin, oregano, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 2 hours, though I recommend marinating overnight for deeper flavor.
When ready to cook, preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess.
Place the chicken in the skillet in a single layer and cook the chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes on each side. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist.
Chop the chicken into small pieces, similar to the style served at Chipotle. This makes it perfect for filling burritos, tacos, bowls, or salads.
Enjoy with rice, beans, salsa, guacamole, or cheese. It's a tasty twist on a favorite Chipotle dish.
Storage Options
You can make chipotle chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes well for more extended storage. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat
Microwave: Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minute increments, stirring or flipping the chicken to ensure even heating.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), place the chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent drying out, and heat for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.
Marinating the Chicken Ahead of Time
If you prefer to marinate the chicken ahead of time, you can do so for no longer than 48 hours in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the marinated chicken for up to 3 months, ensuring it is stored in a freezer-safe airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
Looking for more marinated chicken recipes? Try these out:
I hope you like this copycat Chipotle chicken recipe as much as we do. If you tried this recipe, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps others find and enjoy this recipe.
Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine chipotle pepper sauce, the chiptle pepper, garlic, cumin, oregano, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 2 hours, though I recommend marinating overnight for deeper flavor.
- When ready to cook, preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess.
- Place the chicken in the skillet in a single layer and cook the chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes on each side. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Chop the chicken into small pieces. Serve and enjoy.
Pamela says
I don’t understand 3 Tbs plus one pepper. All out of the can?
Tanya says
Hi Pamela, I mean using the 3 Tablespoons of sauce plus one of the peppers. I can see how it's written is confusing. Going to clear that up now. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
jani says
When i read it, I thought I needed a fresh pepper so I added one...I can't remember the exact variety, but it was spicy!
We loved it.
I'm making it again and I'm trying to decide if I just use the canned pepper or get another fresh one to add to the marinade...hmmm.
Tanya says
Jani, that actually sounds like a good addition lol. I love how adaptable the marinade is. Glad it worked out in the end.
Gracie says
Do you use 3Tbsp of the sauce only or do you include the peppers as well?
Tanya says
Hi Gracie, I mean using 3 Tablespoons of the sauce and 1 pepper. I see now how it's written is confusing. My apologies. Clearing that up now. Thank you and I hope you like the recipe.