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Chipotle Chicken

This spicy, smoky, citrusy chipotle marinade gives chicken a juicy, flavorful bite. Cook the chipotle chicken in the oven, on the grill or in an air-fryer. This marinade is also good for pork and beef.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 1694 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

FOR CHIPOTLE CITRUS MARINADE:
  • 1 teaspoon canola oil
  • 2 plum tomatoes
  • ¼ medium onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 canned chipotle peppers + 1 teaspoon adobo from the can
  • 1 tablespoon honey
FOR THE CHICKEN THIGHS
  • 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs or other cuts of poultry.
  • chipotle citrus marinade
GARNISH:
  • fresh cilantro leaves
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the canola oil in a small heavy pan or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the unpeeled cloves of garlic, whole plum tomatoes and the onion. Cook, turning occasionally until there's a warm char on the vegetables. Note: the garlic should be ready in about 4-5 minutes, while the tomatoes and onions will take 9-10. Set aside.
  2. Peel the skins from the garlic and add them to the food processor or blender. Add the charred vegetables, cumin, pepper, dried oregano and kosher salt.
  3. Squeeze the juice from the limes and orange (you may need 1 ½ to 2 limes depending on how juicy they are. Add the lime and orange juice to the vegetable mixture followed by the vinegar, chipotle peppers, adobo and honey.
  4. Blend until smooth. Chipotle marinade can be made ahead of time. Keep it refrigerated for up to 10 days in a sealed glass jar.
FOR THE CHICKEN
    Cup of Yum
  1. Trim any excess skin from the chicken and transfer it to a large container to marinate.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
TO BAKE THE CHIPOTLE CHICKEN THIGHS IN THE OVEN:
  1. About ½ an hour before baking, remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with foil (to cut down on the mess). Place a wire rack over the foil and lightly spray with vegetable spray.
  3. Transfer the thighs to the wire rack and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the skins are crispy and the meat is cooked through and internal temperature is 165° F.
TO GRILL CHIPOTLE CHICKEN:
  1. Preheat the grill to a medium high temperature (about 400°). Place the chicken skin side down on the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes with the lid on the grill. Watch for flare-ups and be ready with a squirt water bottle in case.
  2. Use grilling tongs to flip the chicken and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes. Flip the chicken one additional time and finish cooking for 3-5 or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use a digital thermometer to be sure.
TO COOK CHIPOTLE CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER:
  1. Heat the air fryer to 380° F. Pat the chicken dry and add to the basket skin side down. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Turn the chicken thighs one final time and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 165° F on a digital thermometer.
REST THE CHICKEN:
  1. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Notes

  • You can double the recipe and use whatever chicken pieces you like. Cooking times will vary depending on how large chicken pieces are and whether they are bone-in, skin-on or boneless.

Nutrition Information

Calories 1694kcal (85%) Carbohydrates 44g (15%) Protein 113g (226%) Fat 118g (182%) Saturated Fat 31g (155%) Polyunsaturated Fat 25g Monounsaturated Fat 50g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 667mg (222%) Sodium 2081mg (87%) Potassium 1952mg (56%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 28g (56%) Vitamin A 3198IU (64%) Vitamin C 56mg (62%) Calcium 129mg (13%) Iron 7mg (39%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1694

% Daily Value*

Calories 1694kcal 85%
Carbohydrates 44g 15%
Protein 113g 226%
Fat 118g 182%
Saturated Fat 31g 155%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25g 147%
Monounsaturated Fat 50g 250%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 667mg 222%
Sodium 2081mg 87%
Potassium 1952mg 42%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 28g 56%
Vitamin A 3198IU 64%
Vitamin C 56mg 62%
Calcium 129mg 13%
Iron 7mg 39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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