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A Chipotle Chicken Marinade is a flavorful blend. It is designed to infuse chicken with smoky, spicy, and savory elements. This is perfect for grilling, roasting, or pan-searing. The marinade typically includes ingredients like chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime juice, and garlic. Olive oil is added along with a hint of sweetness from honey or brown sugar. The chipotle peppers give a smoky heat, balanced by the acidity of lime and the richness of olive oil. Extra spices like cumin, paprika, oregano, and sometimes onion powder enhance the flavor depth. This marinade tenderizes the chicken while imparting a bold, slightly charred taste after cooking.

Elevate your chicken dishes with this zesty chipotle chicken marinade. It combines smoky chipotle peppers, tangy lime juice, garlic, and a hint of honey. This flavorful blend infuses the chicken with a delicious kick, perfect for grilling, baking, or sautéing. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner, this marinade will add a bold, smoky flavor to your meals. It is also ideal for hosting a barbecue. It is a must-have for your recipe collection!

This easy Chipotle Chicken Marinade mixes some of my favorite Mexican flavors, chipotles in adobo sauce and fresh lime! Add some staple spices. You will have a delightful flavor mixed. It is ready to really take a simple piece of chicken to fiesta-worthy heights!

1 serving | Prep 10 minutes | Cooking 0 minutes | Total Time 10 minutes | Calories: 361kcal

Ingredients for Delicious Chipotle Chicken Marinade

A collection of ingredients for chipotle chicken marinade, including chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, lime, garlic, honey, cumin, paprika, olive oil, salt, and black pepper on a wooden surface.
Gather your flavorful ingredients to make a zesty chipotle chicken marinade that will elevate your meals!
  • ▢ 4 tablespoon chipotle sauce (with chopped chipotle peppers)
  • ▢ 2 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • ▢ 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ▢ ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chipotle Chicken Marinade

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chipotle sauce, olive oil, and lime juice. Add the cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue whisking until well mixed.
  2. Prepare Chicken: Place your chicken (breasts, thighs, or another cut) in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
  3. Marinate: Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
  4. Chill: Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor, marinate for several hours or overnight.
  5. Cook Chicken: When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the leftover marinade. Grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
  6. Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve on tacos, in salads, or alongside your favorite side dishes.

Enjoy your flavorful Chipotle Chicken!

A bowl of chipotle chicken marinade made with chopped chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, and spices, beside fresh chicken breasts on a wooden cutting board.
Spice up your meals with this flavorful chipotle chicken marinade—perfect for grilling or baking!

Notes

This marinade is roughly 5 tablespoons or ⅓ cup to be used with 1 pound of chicken.

Here are some helpful tips for creating a delicious Chipotle Chicken Marinade:

Tips for Making Chipotle Chicken Marinade

  • Choose Quality Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh herbs and spices can make a significant difference.
  • Balance Flavors: Aim for a balance of heat and acidity. The chipotle peppers offer smokiness and heat, while citrus (like lime or lemon juice) adds brightness.
  • Let it Marinate: For optimal flavor, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Ideally, marinate it for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Adjust the Heat: If you prefer a milder marinade, use less chipotle pepper or remove the seeds. Conversely, add more for increased heat.
  • Add Sweetness: Consider adding a touch of honey, brown sugar, or agave syrup to balance the heat and acidity.
  • Experiment with Herbs: Fresh cilantro is a classic addition. You also consider adding other herbs like oregano or thyme for extra depth of flavor.
  • Use Acid: Incorporate acidic elements like vinegar, yogurt, or citrus juices. This not only adds flavor but also helps tenderize the chicken.
  • Think Beyond Chicken: This marinade works well with other proteins like beef, pork, or even vegetables. It lets you enjoy the flavor in various dishes.
  • Save Some Marinade: If you’re grilling, you want to reserve some marinade before adding the chicken. It can be cooked down to create a flavorful sauce or glaze.
  • Cook with Care: When cooking marinated chicken, avoid overcooking to keep it juicy. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches the safe cooking temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Extra Serving Suggestions

  • Tacos or Burritos: Use the marinated chicken as a filling for tacos. Alternatively, use it for burritos. Top your dish with fresh salsa, avocado, and cheese.
  • Salads: Slice the grilled chicken over a fresh salad for a protein-packed meal.
  • Bowls: Create a rice or quinoa bowl with grilled chipotle chicken, grilled vegetables, and your favorite toppings.

By using these tips, you’ll create a mouthwatering Chipotle Chicken Marinade that elevates your dish to the next level! Enjoy your cooking!

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @hrcookery or tag #hrcookery!Chipotle Chicken Marinade, chipotle lime marinade, easy chicken marinades

A bowl of chipotle chicken marinade made with chopped chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, and spices, beside fresh chicken breasts on a wooden cutting board.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Elevate your chicken dishes with this zesty chipotle chicken marinade that combines smoky chipotle peppers, tangy lime juice, garlic, and a hint of honey. This flavorful blend infuses the chicken with a delicious kick, perfect for grilling, baking, or sautéing. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or hosting a barbecue, this marinade will add a bold, smoky flavor to your meals, making it a must-have for your recipe collection!

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chipotle sauce, olive oil, and lime juice. Add the cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue whisking until well mixed.
  2. Prepare Chicken: Place your chicken (breasts, thighs, or another cut) in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
  3. Marinate: Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
  4. Chill: Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor, marinate for several hours or overnight.
  5. Cook Chicken: When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the leftover marinade. Grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
  6. Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve on tacos, in salads, or alongside your favorite side dishes.

Enjoy your flavorful Chipotle Chicken!

Notes

This marinade is roughly 5 tablespoons or ⅓ cup to be used with 1 pound of chicken.

Here are some helpful tips for creating a delicious Chipotle Chicken Marinade:

Tips for Making Chipotle Chicken Marinade

  • Choose Quality Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh herbs and spices can make a significant difference.
  • Balance Flavors: Aim for a balance of heat and acidity. The chipotle peppers offer smokiness and heat, while citrus (like lime or lemon juice) adds brightness.
  • Let it Marinate: For optimal flavor, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Ideally, marinate it for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Adjust the Heat: If you prefer a milder marinade, use less chipotle pepper or remove the seeds. Conversely, add more for increased heat.
  • Add Sweetness: Consider adding a touch of honey, brown sugar, or agave syrup to balance the heat and acidity.
  • Experiment with Herbs: Fresh cilantro is a classic addition. You also consider adding other herbs like oregano or thyme for extra depth of flavor.
  • Use Acid: Incorporate acidic elements like vinegar, yogurt, or citrus juices. This not only adds flavor but also helps tenderize the chicken.
  • Think Beyond Chicken: This marinade works well with other proteins like beef, pork, or even vegetables. It lets you enjoy the flavor in various dishes.
  • Save Some Marinade: If you're grilling, you want to reserve some marinade before adding the chicken. It can be cooked down to create a flavorful sauce or glaze.
  • Cook with Care: When cooking marinated chicken, avoid overcooking to keep it juicy. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches the safe cooking temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Extra Serving Suggestions

  • Tacos or Burritos: Use the marinated chicken as a filling for tacos. Alternatively, use it for burritos. Top your dish with fresh salsa, avocado, and cheese.
  • Salads: Slice the grilled chicken over a fresh salad for a protein-packed meal.
  • Bowls: Create a rice or quinoa bowl with grilled chipotle chicken, grilled vegetables, and your favorite toppings.

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 345Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 107mgSodium 735mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 38g

The presented values are approximate and shouldn't be considered as accurate. Please calculate your OWN nutrition information in a database using the brand names you have at hand. Each brand is different, and information can vary.

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