What is in Chipotle's honey chicken?

Chipotle's honey chicken is made with marinated chicken thighs that include chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, spices like cumin and paprika, vinegar, and a touch of sweetness often from honey or agave. The restaurant version also uses lime juice for brightness and sears the chicken for smoky flavor.

How to make honey and chipotle marinade?

For a quick honey chipotle marinade, combine minced garlic, chipotle in adobo, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper into a thick, flavorful paste. Whisk in the avocado oil, vinegar or lime juice, and honey until everything blends into a smooth, cohesive mixture. This balanced marinade blends smoky heat with a touch of sweetness, infusing the chicken with rich, layered flavor in every bite.

What goes into the new chipotle chicken recipe?

The new chipotle chicken variations typically include boneless chicken thighs, chipotle chili or adobo sauce, oil, vinegar or lime juice, honey or agave for sweetness, and a blend of spices like cumin, paprika, garlic, and oregano. It’s meant to be bold, smoky, slightly sweet, and full of umami flavor.

What is the marinade for chipotle chicken?

A traditional chipotle chicken marinade blends chipotle in adobo, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, oil, vinegar or lime juice, and a touch of honey for balance. It’s designed to be spicy, smoky, and a little sweet, soaking into the chicken for maximum flavor.

What does chipotle seasoning contain?

Chipotle seasoning typically contains ground chipotle chili peppers, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. It brings a signature smoky heat that defines dishes like this chipotle honey chicken recipe and adds depth to marinades and rubs.

Chipotle Honey Chicken Recipe – The Best Sweet & Smoky Flavor Ever

Description

This chipotle honey chicken recipe combines smoky chipotle peppers with sweet honey and bold spices for a juicy, flavor packed dish that’s perfect for grilling, meal prep, or easy weeknight dinners. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a go to recipe you’ll make on repeat.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 clove garlic – minced
2 tbsp chipotle in adobo – 4 tbsp for spicy
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp avocado oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup honey

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Instructions

In a medium bowl, mash together the garlic, chipotle in adobo sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper using the back of a spoon to create a thick paste.
Whisk in the avocado oil, red wine vinegar, and honey until the mixture becomes smooth and fully emulsified. Set aside 2 tablespoons of this marinade in a small container and refrigerate it for later use.
Add the chicken thighs to a container and pour the remaining marinade over them. Toss until the chicken is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.
Preheat your grill to about 400°F. Take the marinated chicken and reserved marinade out of the fridge while the grill heats up.
Once the grill is hot, lightly oil the grates. Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 5–6 minutes, or until they naturally release from the grill surface.
Flip the chicken and grill for another 4–6 minutes, or until fully cooked through and nicely charred.
Remove the chicken from the grill and chop into bite-sized pieces. Toss with the reserved marinade (which was never in contact with raw meat) and serve immediately.

Notes

If you don’t have chipotle in adobo, you can substitute with 2 teaspoons of ground chipotle chili powder for a mild kick or increase the amount for extra heat.
Using thick or crystallized honey? Gently warm it over low heat until liquefied before whisking it into the marinade for a smooth blend.
While this recipe uses red wine vinegar, Chipotle’s version often features fresh lime juice. If you have limes on hand, feel free to swap in the juice for a citrusy twist.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6
Calories: 208kcal
Sugar: 12g
Fat: 7g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 108mg