This chipotle chicken marinade delivers bold, smoky heat balanced with citrus, honey and warm spices for perfectly juicy chicken every time. Whether you’re grilling, baking or cooking in a cast iron skillet, this spicy chipotle lime marinade infuses deep flavor in just a few hours.
Gather This
This chipotle chicken marinade ingredient list might look lengthy, but you probably have a lot in your spice cabinet or pantry already. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – Chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeños that are rehydrated and canned in a tangy, slightly sweet tomato-based sauce called adobo. They bring smoky depth and moderate heat, making them ideal for marinades and grilled meats. The can is able to be found in the Hispanic foods section at your grocery store.
- Chicken thighs – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal, as they are the most flavorful cut of chicken. You could also use chicken quarters (bone-in), chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts.
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Fresh limes
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Orange juice
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Smoked paprika
- Ground cumin
- Dried oregano
- Coarse kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
How to Marinate Chicken for Maximum Flavor
In order to marinate your chicken, you first have to make the chipotle chicken marinade.
- Make the marinade. In a large food processor, combine the peppers, garlic, zest and juice of limes, water, vegetable oil, orange juice, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt and black pepper. Pulse on high until the mixture is emulsified.
- Prepare chicken. Place the chicken into a shallow dish and pierce it several times with a fork. This allows the marinade to penetrate more deeply into the meat.
- Marinate. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Cover and chill for 4-6 hours. Avoid marinating longer than 12 hours, because the acidity starts to change the texture of the chicken.
How to Cook Chipotle Chicken (Step-by-Step)
After marinating, follow these simple steps to cook your chicken.
- Prep oven and chicken. When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard excess liquid.
- Sear chicken. Heat cast iron skillet over medium high heat, adding vegetable oil. Sear the chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes, or until browned.
- Move to oven. Transfer the pan to the hot oven until the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a digital thermometer.
What to Serve with Chipotle Chicken
This chipotle chicken marinade adds so much flavor, and that flavor is paired nicely with just about anything you can think up. I personally like to pair mine with refried beans, Mexican street corn or spanish rice.
Once you’ve figured out your sides, I like to top my chicken with either pico de gallo, crema mexicana or a homemade ranchero sauce. Whether you add your chicken to a burrito bowl, turn it into tacos or serve it how it is, it’s sure to be delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Marinate for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours for optimal flavor absorption.
Yes, but reduce cooking time to prevent dryness. Chicken breasts cook faster and benefit from careful temperature monitoring.
Absolutely. It pairs well with flank steak and large shrimp, though marinating times should be shorter for seafood.
More Chicken Sauces and Marinades
Chicken doesn’t have to be boring! With these sauces and marinades, they are anything but.
Chipotle Chicken Marinade Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and coarsely chopped
- 2 fresh limes zested and juiced
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs , about 5 medium filets
- Vegetable oil for cookin
Instructions
- In a large food processor, combine the ¾ cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 4 cloves garlic, zest and juice of 2 fresh limes, ½ cup water, ¼ cup vegetable oil, ¼ cup orange juice, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Pulse on high until the mixture is emulsified.
- Place the 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs into a shallow dish and pierce it several times with a fork. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Cover and chill for 4-6 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350°F (if using stovetop instructions). Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard excess liquid.
- To Make in A Grill Pan or Cast Iron (or other oven safe pan)- Heat over medium high heat, adding 1-2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Sear the chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes, or until browned. Transfer the pan to the hot oven for 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a digital thermometer.
- Remove and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
Notes
Nutrition
