Grilled Chipotle Chicken Recipe (Easy Meal Prep Chicken)
This Grilled Chipotle Chicken is made with chicken marinated in a zesty chipotle-and-lime mix, then grilled until it’s smoky with a touch of heat. The marinade keeps the chicken juicy, and the lime cuts through the heat for a refreshing finish. Grill a big batch tonight, and you’ve got dinner covered for days: tacos, salads, grain bowls, wraps, or whatever you’re in the mood for.
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Recipe Highlights
- Marinate in the morning, grill in 20 minutes, dinner’s done.
- Cooks fast with just a few simple ingredients (chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, chicken and olive oil).
Ingredient Notes
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs or a combination of both
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – add smoky heat and most grocery stores carry them in the Mexican foods aisle. Freeze the leftovers in small portions for future recipes.
- Lime juice Fresh lime juice adds brighter flavor than bottled juice, but either works
- Garlic or garlic powder
- Olive oil or avocado oil or your favorite neutral cooking oil
How to Make Chipotle Grilled Chicken
- Prepare the Marinade: Chop the chipotle chili peppers and combine them with the remaining marinade ingredients in a glass dish that’s large enough to hold the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into the bowl. Add the chicken and turn it to coat on all side. Marinate in the fridge for at least one hour and up to 24 hours.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat an outdoor grill or grill pan at medium-high heat. Place the chicken on the grill, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until grill marks start to form and the chicken is easy to flip. If the chicken sticks when you try to flip it, give it another minute or two. Once it releases easily, turn the chicken over and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting it.
Make it Your Way
This simple chicken is really just the Chipotle marinade that adds the flavor. Change the protein, the heat, or the finish and you’ve got a different dinner.
Protein: This marinade works just as well on chicken thighs, pork chops, shrimp, or tofu. Just adjust the grill time.
Vegetables: Throw bell peppers, zucchini, or corn on the grill next to the chicken. They pick up the same smoky flavor with almost no extra work.
Sauce/Flavor: Want more heat? Add an extra chipotle pepper or a pinch of cayenne. Milder? Use fewer peppers and skip the seeds. For something sweeter, stir in a tablespoon of honey with a little extra lime.
Finish: Fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime right off the grill.
If you like building dinner this way, swapping proteins, changing vegetables, and picking your own heat level, my free Grilling Dinner Builder walks you through it without the guesswork.
Serving Suggestions
This Chipotle chicken is versatile enough for everything from quick weeknight dinners to meal-prep lunches. Serve it garnished with fresh cilantro and a spritz of fresh lime juice use it over a Mexican chopped salad or served with street corn salad and grilled vegetables for a simple dinner.
How to Store and Use Leftovers
I always make extra chipotle chicken because it’s perfect for meal prep. The smoky, slightly spicy flavor works well in so many meals, which makes dinner easier later in the week.
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Use leftover Chipotle chicken in burrito bowls, tacos, salads, wraps, sandwiches, or quesadillas. It’s also great added to rice bowls or served with grilled vegetables for a quick and easy meal.
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Grilled Chipotle Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts boneless chicken thighs will work too
- 3 chipotle peppers chopped
- 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- At least an hour before serving, chop 3 chipotle peppers, combine them in a non reactive bowl with 2 tablespoons chipotle sauce, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 clove garlic (crushed) and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts to the marinade. Marinate for at least one hour.
- Preheat a gas grill, charcoal grill or grill pan at medium – high heat. Once the pan or grill is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 10 to 12 minutes on one side, flip and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F or about 10 minutes longer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Frequently Asked Questions
Chipotle powder works in a pinch. Start with about 1 teaspoon, since it is strong, and add a little extra oil or honey if you want to replace some of the saucy texture.
Do not use the raw leftover marinade as a sauce. If you want sauce, set some marinade aside before it touches the chicken, then use that reserved portion on the cooked chicken.
