Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat

Name: Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 6 Boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 2 tsp Salt; 1 can Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce; 5 Garlic cloves; 1 tbsp Cumin; 1 tbsp Adobo seasoning; 1 tbsp Onion powder; 1 tbsp Oregano; 2 Limes, juiced; 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1/2 cup Water; 2 cups Water; 1 cups Rice; 1 Lime, juiced; 1/4 cup Chopped cilantro; 1 tbsp Olive Oil; Pinch of salt

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If you love Chipotle as my as much teenager son, then this Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat will be your new favorite meal. Better than the original, the tender chicken is marinated in a blend of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime and warm spices before hitting the grill for a beautifully charred exterior and juicy center. No more paying for extra protein. Meal prep a batch at home and have it on hand all week long.

Looking for more copycat recipes from your favorite restaurants, try my version of the In-N-Out Burger, Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden or my favorite Beefy Crunchwrap.

Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat in bowl on cutting board.

What Makes Chipotle Chicken So Flavorful?
Ingredients needed to make Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat
How to Make Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat
Recipe Tip
How to make Cilantro Lime Rice
Recipe Tip
Serving Suggestions
Alternative Recipes
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions:
More Grilled Chipotle Flavored Recipes:
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat Recipe

What Makes Chipotle Chicken So Flavorful?

The key to a great Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat is the marinade. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce bring smoky heat, while lime juice adds acidity and brightness. Garlic, cumin, oregano, adobo seasoning and paprika build a savory, earthy flavor profile.

The combination is bold without overpowering the chicken. Once the marinated chicken hits a hot grill, the outside develops a delicious char while the inside stays juicy and tender.

For an even closer restaurant-style experience, chop the grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces after it rests. This makes it perfect for building burrito bowls, tacos, and meal-prep containers

Ingredients needed to make Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat

Chicken: boneless, skinless chicken thighs are my first choice because they stay juicy on the grill and have plenty of flavor. Chicken breasts can also be used if you prefer leaner meat.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: provide smoky heat and a deep chile flavor, while the adobo sauce adds even more seasoning to the marinade.
Spices: a mixture of cumin, oregano, paprika and adobo seasoning help create the bold flavors of this dish.
Lime: adds acidity and brightness while helping balance the smoky heat of the peppers.
Garlic: fresh garlic adds savory depth and gives the marinade.

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How to Make Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat

Step 1: Make the chipotle marinade

The secret to this Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat recipe is in the marinade itself. A few smokey ingredients create the best tasting and most tender grilled chicken I’ve had. And like I said before, so much better than the restaurant version.

In a blender add a whole can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Add in the dry spices including cumin, oregano, smoked paprika and adobo seasoning. Drop in 4-5 fresh garlic cloves, some water and freshly squeezed lime juice.

Blend the ingredients together until you get a nice smooth texture. You want a thick, flavorful marinade that can completely coat the chicken.

Step 2: Marinate the chicken thighs

This Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat recipe is perfect for meal prepping. Make the marinade the night before, store it in the fridge overnight and grill up the next day.

In a deep bowl, add boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Pour the marinade over the chicken making sure get a good coating on everything.

Close the container and store it in the fridge for at least 1 hour. For even more flavor, marinate the chicken for several hours or overnight. Many copycat versions use anywhere from about 30 minutes to overnight to allow the smoky chile and citrus flavors to penetrate the chicken.

Step 3: Grill the Chipotle Chicken

This Grilled Chipotle Chicken comes together in minutes over high direct heat. Dinner will be ready in 15 minutes.

Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat on grill.

Preheat the grill to high 400 degrees Fahrenheit and set it for direct heat. Place the chipotle marinated chicken on the hot grates and grill 10 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dark meat takes longer to cook, therefore going higher in final temps is recommended for thighs. They will not dry out.

While the chicken is cooking on the grill, lightly season the protein with salt.

Recipe Tip

Use chicken breast for a leaner version.

Chicken thighs are a great cut to use if you are worried about drying the meat. They stay tender and juicy much easier than a breast with no fat.

Once they are cooked, remove the Grilled Chipotle Chicken Thighs from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes.

How to make Cilantro Lime Rice

Another great dish that Chipotle is known for is their Cilantro Lime rice. This is simple to make and can be done while the Grilled Chipotle Chicken is cooking.

How to cook rice

Start with rinsing the rice. This step will help remove excess starch, resulting in grains to separate better when cooked.

Next, in a sauce pan, add 1 cup of dry white rice and 2 cups water. Bring everything up to a boil.

Recipe Tip

Whenever cooking rice, the water to rice ratio should always be 2:1

Turn down to simmer, cover with a lid and let it cook until all the water has evaporated into the rice. Do not remove lid to peak or stir. Once the liquid is gone, let it rest for a few minutes and fluff with a fork.

Add in the cilantro and lime

Once the rice is cooked, add some roughly chopped cilantro, a squeeze of oil oil and lime juice from 1-2 limes. Taste and season with salt if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy the Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat the way you would at Chipotle. You can add roasted corn, beans, grilled veggies or keep it simple and just enjoy the chicken with the rice. Can’t go wrong here.

Chipotle Chicken Bowls

Serve chopped chicken over cilantro lime rice with black beans, corn salsa, pico de gallo, avocado, cheese, and sour cream.

Tacos

Load warm tortillas with chopped chipotle chicken, fresh salsa, avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Try these easy Chipotle Chicken Tacos.

Quesadillas

Add the chopped chicken and shredded cheese between tortillas and grill until crispy and melted.

Salad Bowl

Slice the grilled chicken over romaine or mixed greens and add corn, black beans, avocado, tomatoes, and a creamy dressing.

Meal Prep Bowls

Make a big batch of chicken and divide it between containers with rice, beans, and your favorite vegetables for easy lunches throughout the week.

Alternative Recipes

These Grilled Chipotle Chicken thighs are perfect for a Chicken Fajita Skillet or Bowl.

Final Thoughts

This Grilled Chipotle Chicken Copycat is everything I want in an easy grilling recipe: bold flavor, juicy chicken, smoky char, and plenty of versatility. The chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime, garlic, and spices create a marinade that packs serious flavor without requiring a long list of complicated ingredients. Skip takeout and make a better version at home.

Make a big batch and turn it into tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, salads, or an easy weeknight dinner. Once you have this smoky, spicy chicken ready in the refrigerator, the possibilities are endless. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Chipotle Chicken spicy?

There is a very mild heat level to chipotle chicken. It’s more smokey and warm than spicy.

What toppings can I use?

You can use anything that you would normally get at Chipotle. From roasted corn, tomato salsa, black beans, cheese, lettuce and guacamole. Customize your meal with the toppings you like most.