This Chipotle Chicken recipe offers an easy way to prepare bite-sized chicken pieces with a bold, smoky seasoning blend. We coat chicken thighs in a robust seasoning blend, then broil to achieve a caramelized exterior with a tender interior. It’s a versatile recipe, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or incorporated into other dishes like tacos or salads.
Chipotle Chicken is part of our Back-To-School Lifesavers — a series of recipes that are intended to have little (or no) veggie chopping, minimal prep time, around 10 ingredients or less (not including pantry staples), and use kid-friendly ingredients. Click here to see all the recipes in the series!
Chipotle Chicken
This Chipotle Chicken recipe is flavorful and easy to prepare, featuring tender chicken thighs, seasoned with a bold and aromatic chipotle-spiced blend. We coat the chicken in a mix of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet spices, including chipotle and regular chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and oregano. Then we tie it all together with a splash of olive oil and red wine vinegar and add a bit of freshly squeezed lime juice at the end of the cooking process. The citrusy brightness contrasts beautifully with the smoky heat of the chipotle.
Bite-sized pieces of chicken ensure fast and even cooking under the broiler. This method also helps to achieve a desirable caramelization and blackening on the outside of the chicken pieces, while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
The recipe is quite versatile–enjoy it as a main course, or in a variety of other dishes such as tacos, salads, or bowls. It’s a wonderful choice for those who enjoy spicy, robust flavors! Relatively quick preparation and cooking make this an excellent option for our back-to-school series!
Chipotle Chicken Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil helps the seasoning blend coat the chicken and carry the flavors. Make sure to use a high-quality one, as it can significantly affect the overall taste.
- Red wine vinegar: This dish needs acidity to balance the spices and red wine vinegar does that, along with giving a subtle tanginess to the chicken.
- Chipotle chili powder AND regular chili powder: See the “quick tip” box below for why we use both types of chili powder!
- Light brown sugar: Sugar adds a hint of sweetness to balance the heat and acidity, and it helps caramelize the chicken under the broiler.
- Ground cumin: That traditional warm, earthy flavor in this dish comes from cumin.
- Smoked paprika: We use smoked paprika because it contributes a smoky flavor and vibrant color to the chicken. If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika will work well too.
- Garlic powder: Since fresh garlic will burn under the heat of the broiler, we’re using garlic powder.
- Dried oregano: The herbal note of oregano complements the other spices.
- Chicken thighs: Thighs are more flavorful and juicy than chicken breasts. They’re also more forgiving when being broiled.
- Fresh limes: The juice adds a fresh, citrusy touch at the end, contrasting with the spicy and smoky flavors of the chicken. Use fresh, not bottled lime juice, for the best flavor.
Quick Tip
Two Types of Chili Powder: We use both chipotle chili powder and regular chili powder in this recipe to achieve the perfect chipotle flavor without making the dish too spicy. Chipotle chili powder is made from smoked, dried jalapeños, and adds a distinctive smoky heat. Regular chili powder, a blend of various ingredients like ground chili peppers, cumin, garlic and oregano, adds depth and warmth. By using both, we create a balanced, flavorful spice blend that’s rich in character but not excessively hot.
How To Make Chipotle Chicken (Tips)
- Even-sized chicken pieces: When preparing the chicken, make sure to trim off excess fat and then aim for even-sized pieces. This ensures that all the pieces cook at the same rate and you don’t end up with some pieces overcooked and others undercooked.
- Preheat the oven: Make sure your oven is fully heated before you start broiling; heat for at least 15 minutes. This will help you achieve the perfect caramelization on the chicken.
- Space the chicken: When arranging the chicken pieces on the baking sheet, make sure there’s space between each piece. Overcrowding can lead to the chicken steaming instead of broiling, and you may not get enough caramelization.
- Internal temperature: Use a meat thermometer to be sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, which is safe for consumption. The temperature will continue to rise a bit after you remove it from the oven.
- Resting time: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the chicken and keeps it moist and flavorful.
- Adjust the heat level: If you prefer less spicy food, feel free to reduce the amount of chipotle chili powder. You can also add more if you like it hotter!
Serving Suggestions
- Tacos/burritos: Use this Chipotle Chicken as a filling for tacos or burritos. Pair with toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, cheese, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime.
- Salad: Make a hearty salad! Serve the Chipotle Chicken over a bed of mixed greens along with black beans, corn, avocado, and a simple Cilantro-Lime Dressing.
- Rice bowl: Create a restaurant-style bowl with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, roasted corn and peppers, plus onions. Top with this chicken, fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, and a dollop of sour cream.
- Pasta: Toss the chicken with cooked pasta, roasted vegetables, and a light creamy sauce for a spicy chicken pasta dish.
- Wrap: Use it in a wrap with a whole grain or spinach tortilla. Add rice, fresh veggies, and a cilantro-lime sauce or dressing to finish it off.
Quick Tip
Here’s our “Back-To-School” Serving Suggestion: While the chicken is cooking, prepare some packaged ready or minute rice. To serve, pair the chicken and rice with diced ripe avocado and a diced English or Persian cucumber (it might sound unusual, but it’s really good!). Make sure to have plenty of fresh lime wedges on the side.
If you have a favorite pre-made or store-bought cilantro-lime sauce, feel free to drizzle that on top. If not, you can whip up a super quick alternative sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, a handful of chopped cilantro, and a tiny pinch of salt. Drizzle this simple sauce on top of your dish. Feel free to make more sauce if you prefer.
More Easy Chicken Recipes:
- Chicken Meatballs baked to perfection
- Chipotle Chicken Marinade for grilled chipotle chicken!
- Honey-Garlic Chicken Thighs made in the pressure cooker
- Chicken Alfredo Recipe with the best easy Alfredo sauce
- Chicken Pozole made with a few shortcuts
Quick Tip
Spice Note: This Chipotle Chicken recipe, as outlined, does pack a punch! It was a hit with two out of my three kids, while my third found it a tad spicy. However, all three kids enjoyed the chicken when it was served with elements that help tame the spice, like sour cream, guacamole or avocado slices, and crisp cucumbers. So, if you or your family members are sensitive to heat, consider pairing this dish with some of these cooling accompaniments to balance the spiciness.
Chipotle Chicken
Equipment
- Sheet pan lined
Ingredients
Seasoning Blend
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder see note 1
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon each: light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs see note 2
- 2 limes
- Serving suggestions see note 3
Instructions
- Place oven rack 6 inches from heat source. Preheat oven to Broil. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is important for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl add all of the seasoning blend ingredients. Whisk to combine.
- Pat thighs dry with paper towel. Cut off large pieces of gristle and fat, then cut into even 1-inch pieces. Add chunked chicken to seasoning bowl and toss until well coated.
- Add chicken pieces to prepared sheet pan, spacing them out to make sure chicken pieces aren't touching. Broil in fully heated oven for 6–8 minutes or until you've got a nice blackening and caramelization. The interior temperature should be 160℉; carryover heat will take it to 165℉.
- Remove pan and let stand for 5 minutes uncovered to rest. Drizzle with fresh lime to taste and salt as needed. Enjoy hot!
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
OMG, the flavors were amazing. I used smoke paprika and I felt the taste took the flavor to the next level. This was such a quick and easy dish. I served over rice but think next time I will add the chicken to chopped salad.
Delish! I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Carol! 🙂
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use tofu i never had chipotle chicken before perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Thanks so much Ramya! 🙂 Enjoy!