Description
Juicy, smoky, and full of flavor, this Easy Chipotle Chicken (Copycat) recipe lets you recreate that famous restaurant taste at home — in less time than you think. Whether you’re building burrito bowls, tacos, salads, or wraps, this protein-packed recipe is perfect for meal prep and weeknight dinners. It’s healthy, easy to make, and a total crowd-pleaser. If you’re hunting for quick dinner ideas, easy recipe inspiration, or high-protein food ideas, this dish checks every box.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 garlic cloves
1/2 red onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Add chipotle peppers, garlic, red onion, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth to create the marinade.
2. Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or zip-top bag, and coat them with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor.
3. Preheat your grill, oven, or skillet. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F — about 5–7 minutes per side if grilling or pan-searing, or 25–30 minutes in the oven at 425°F.
4. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before chopping it into bite-sized pieces to lock in the juices.
5. Serve in burrito bowls, tacos, salads, or wraps with your favorite toppings and sides.
Notes
Marinate overnight for the deepest, smokiest flavor.
Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness and texture, but chicken breasts can work too.
Use a thermometer to avoid overcooking — aim for 165°F internal temp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilled / Pan-seared / Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 oz cooked chicken
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: easy chipotle chicken, chipotle copycat, weeknight dinner, meal prep chicken, grilled chicken