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If you love bold flavors and juicy chicken, this Grilled Chipotle Chicken is about to become your new favorite warm weather dinner! Featuring tender, flame-kissed chicken breasts marinated in a mixture of irresistibly spicy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and a hint of sticky honey, each bite delivers a mouthwatering balance of smoky-sweet BBQ magic. Serve over rice and drizzle with avocado cilantro sauce for a recipe that’s anything but ordinary!

“So much flavor! So much flavor! Another recipe for NSN that my family devoured! Thanks for sharing this beauty!”

– RAE
Action photo of a hand picking up a chipotle grilled chicken skewer on a bed of rice.

Update: This recipe was originally published in June 2018. I’ve updated the article below to include more information about making this recipe for grilled chipotle adobo chicken at home. 

Hi, friends! I hope you’re ready for a recipe worthy of firing up the grill. Because you’re going to wanna sink your teeth into the bold, smoky-sweet-spicy flavors of today’s chipotle adobo chicken recipe:

Table of Contents

About this chipotle chicken adobo

Beautifully smoky and perfectly tender with the ideal amount of spicy and sweet, this BBQ chipotle adobo chicken guarantees to impress.

Picture: charred chicken breasts marinated and infused with smoky chipotle flavor, a hint of sweet honey, and Southwest seasonings, like warming cumin and spicy chilli powder. 

Serve over rice, on a bed of lettuce, or stuff it in tacos, and drizzle with an ultra-creamy, rich avocado cilantro sauce, and you get a chicken dish that’s layered with bold, balanced flavor.

Perfect for all your summer BBQs, meal prep Sundays, or a simple weekday dinner at home, this spicy-sweet chipotle chicken recipe is as wonderfully versatile as it is delightfully delicious!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Easy to Prepare and Cook. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe for grilled chipotle chicken is beginner-cook-friendly and uncomplicated to prepare. Just chop, marinate, and grill.
  • Delicious Smoky, Sweet, and Spicy Flavor. The chipotle peppers in adobo deliver deep, smoky flavor while the sticky honey lends sweetness and the southwest seasonings lend heat. 
  • Juicy, Tender Chicken. Marinating the chicken and cooking it over a grill ensures beautifully charred, succulent chicken.
  • Customizable Recipe. Use chicken thighs for richer flavor, adjust the spices to your liking, swap the honey for maple, and more. You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your needs.
  • Any Time and Any Season. Made with easy to source ingredients, you can cook this chipotle bbq chicken on the outdoor grill during summer and use an indoor grill pan or the oven in the winter. 

And, if you love the spicy, smoky heat of chipotles in adobo and Mexican food, you’ve got to try these recipes next: Hummus with Chipotles and Honey Chipotle Salmon Recipe.

Action shot of chipotle marinade being poured cubed chicken breasts in a glass mixing bowl.

Ingredients for honey chipotle chicken

Many of these items, especially for making the marinade and sauce, are likely already in your pantry. Besides, fresh chicken isn’t hard to come by or expensive. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:

  • Chicken. Breasts are leaner but thighs are juicier–use what you love. Just make sure they’re boneless and skinless, and cut them into an even dice. 
  • Olive Oil. Use a high-quality olive oil for the chipotle marinade.
    • Substitution: Vegetable oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil will work too.
  • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce. Chipotle chili in adobo is the star of the chicken marinade show! These peppers are beautifully smoky and spicy in flavor. You can find them in the hispanic food or international food aisle.
  • Garlic Cloves. Be sure to use fresh garlic and mince it yourself for the best punchy flavor.
  • Honey. Lends a touch of sweetness and balances the spicy heat.
    • Substitution: Herb-infused honey is a lovely option for adding more flavor to the chipotle honey sauce and brushing the chicken. 
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper. For overall flavor
  • Spices. A combination of ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder brings Southwest flavors the chicken chipotle marinade.
    • Substitution: Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes

For the avocado cilantro sauce

  • Avocado. Halved and pitted. 
  • Greek yogurt. Make sure you grab Greek and not regular yogurt for the best creamy consistency.
    • Substitution: Sour cream (regular or low-fat) is a great alternative to yogurt, especially for a tangy flavor. 
  • Lime Juice. Lends brightness and acidity. Make sure you use a lime and freshly squeeze it yourself. That stuff in a green bottle is lackluster in flavor.
  • Cilantro. Provides herbaceous freshness.
  • Optional Garnishes. Fresh herbs, avocado, spicy peppers, a drizzle of honey, and lime wedges.

Recipe variations

  • Marinade. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the number of chipotle peppers or omit them entirely. Alternatively, you can adjust the chili powder, smoked paprika, and/or honey in the bbq chipotle chicken marinade to make it spicier, smokier, or sweeter, respectively.
  • Chicken. Apart from the option to use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless thighs in this chipotle chicken breast recipe, you can also marinate the chicken breast or thigh whole and cook it on the grill or in the oven.   
Overhead photo of five grilled adobo chipotle chicken skewers.

How to make grilled chipotle chicken

As promised, this chipotle grilled chicken recipe is straightforward to prepare. Here’s how:

  1. Marinate the Chicken. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil with the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, honey, garlic, and ground spices. Then, add the chicken and toss to coat the meat completely in the marinade. Next, cover the bowl and store it in the fridge for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight.
  2. Make Avocado Cilantro Sauce. Add the avocados, yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, and garlic to a food processor and process to combine. Then, with the processor running, stream in a little oil until the sauce reaches your desired creamy consistency.
  3. Grill Chicken: Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high and grease the grates. Next, either thread the chicken pieces onto skewers or keep the chicken whole and grill until cooked through, brushing the chicken with honey during the last few minutes of cooking.
  4. Serve Chipotle Grilled Chicken: Let the chipotle bbq chicken rest for a couple minutes before serving over rice and drizzling with the avocado sauce from step two. Enjoy!

Chef expert tips for perfect results every time!

Of course, there is a key to the success of this chicken with chipotle recipe:

  • Uniform Chicken. Cut the chicken breasts or thighs into uniform size chunks so that the meat cooks evenly. Alternatively, you can leave the chicken breast or thigh whole and skip cutting it altogether.
  • Let Chicken Marinate. For the best flavor, make sure you let the chicken hang out in the spicy-sweet chipotle marinade for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight for the most flavor and juiciest chicken.
  • Oil Grill Grates. To prevent sticking and ensure beautiful char marks on the chipotle chicken adobo, be sure to oil the grill grates before cooking.
  • Don’t Overcook. Be sure to grill the chicken just until it’s cooked through to an internal temperature of 165-degrees f. Overcooking will lead to dry, rubbery chicken. Simply use an instant read thermometer to ensure accuracy if you’re unsure.
  • Rest Before Serving. After grilling, let the bbq chipotle chicken rest for 3 to 5 minutes so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat.
  • Don’t Skip the Sauce. I personally think the creamy cilantro-spiked avocado sauce takes this chipotle chicken to the next level of yum, so I don’t recommend skipping it!
Angled shot of a food processor bowl filled with creamy avocado cilantro sauce for chicken.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

You can use either breasts or thighs in this chipotle bbq chicken, depending upon your preference. Chicken breasts are leaner while chicken thighs will remain juicier after grilling. 

What if I don’t have chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?

Adobo chipotle peppers are a key ingredient in this recipe. Honestly, the best substitute would be to make your own. However, a combination of tomato paste with tabasco chipotle hot sauce or ancho chile powder with a little bit of smoked paprika can work in a pinch. 

Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling?

Sure! Simply place the adobo chicken onto a large parchment paper-covered baking pan and bake in a 400°F oven for 12-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

How spicy is this chipotle honey chicken?

Honestly, that’s going to depend upon your taste buds. However, I personally find this honey chipotle chicken recipe to be mildly spicy and a little sweet. But you can easily dial the heat up or down by using more or less chipotles, respectively. 

Can I adjust the spice level?

It’s super simple to dial the heat up or down—simply use fewer chipotle peppers or omit them entirely for a milder chicken dish. And include more peppers, adobo sauce, or add a couple dashes of cayenne pepper for a spicier bbq chicken dish.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can absolutely make the chipotle chicken marinade in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Or, you can marinate the chicken up to one day in advance.

Close-up photo of two chipotle grilled chicken skewers on a bed of rice with cilantro sauce.

Serving chipotle grilled chicken recipe

Unique serving ideas

Storing leftovers

  • Refrigerator Storage: Allow the chipotle peppers with adobo sauce chicken to cool completely to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • If you have leftover avocado cilantro sauce, store it separately in an airtight container and press a piece of plastic wrap on top before sealing and placing in the fridge for a few hours. Please note that the avocado sauce will start to oxidize once it comes into contact with oxygen (air).
  • Freezing Instructions: Allow the grilled chicken to cool completely before portioning the chicken into individual servings and transfer into an airtight, freezer-friendly container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. And be sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheating instructions: Reheat the chicken gently in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until warm throughout. Please note, you may want to add a splash of broth or water to prevent the chicken from drying out. Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in the microwave, stirring halfway through.
Close-up photo of grilled chipotle chicken on a bed of zucchini rice with cilantro sauce.

Perfectly smoky-spicy-sweet and super easy to prepare, this grilled chipotle chicken is everything you could want in a weeknight dinner. Whether you build a bowl with rice and sauce, serve it taco-style, or pair it simply with avocado sauce, this recipe is your ticket to a meal that’s equal parts effortless and fabulous.

Fire up the grill, give this honey chipotle chicken recipe a try, and drop your comments below—I love hearing about your results!

Until next time, friends, cheers! And happy grilling!

Cheyanne

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More grilled chicken recipes!

Overhead shot of Grilled Honey Chipotle Chicken Bowls consisting of two grilled chicken skewers, corn studded zucchini rice, avocado cilantro sauce and sliced limes; with a neutral linen, glass of white wine and ramekins of salt and microgreens surrounding the bowl.

Chipotle Grilled Chicken

5 from 7 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
If you love bold flavors and juicy chicken, this Grilled Chipotle Chicken is about to become your new favorite warm weather dinner! Featuring tender, flame-kissed chicken breasts marinated in a mixture of irresistibly spicy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and a hint of sticky honey, each bite delivers a mouthwatering balance of smoky-sweet magic. Serve over rice and drizzle with avocado cilantro sauce for a recipe that's anything but ordinary!

Equipment

  • 1 Large Bowl – for marinating chicken
  • 1 Food Processor – for making sauce
  • 1 Outdoor Grill or Grill Pan – for grilling chipotle chicken

Ingredients 

Chipotle Chicken

  • ¼ cup Olive Oil
  • 2 large Chipotle Peppers in Adobe Sauce – finely chopped (about 2 heaping TBS)
  • 1 whole Lime – zested and juiced; DIVIDED
  • 2 TBS Honey – plus more for brushing chicken
  • 2 cloves Garlic – minced
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • to taste Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 ½ pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – cut into 1’’ pieces (can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs)

Avocado Cilantro Sauce

  • 1 whole Avocado – halved & pitted
  • ½ cup Greek Yogurt – or Sour Cream (I use lowfat)
  • 2 TBS Cilantro – chopped or more to taste
  • 1 clove Garlic – minced
  • Optional for Serving: Zucchini Rice Chopped Cilantro, Sliced Avocado, Microgreens, Sliced Jalapeños, Lime Wedges

Instructions

  • Make the Chipotle Marinade: To a large bowl, add the oil, chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, lime zest (NOT juice), honey, garlic, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Season with a teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
    Then grab a whisk and vigorously stir the ingredients until they're fully combined.
  • Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken to the chipotle chicken marinade and then toss the chicken until it's fully coated in the marinade.
    Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and transfer the chicken to the refrigerator. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 12 hours.
  • Make the Creamy Avocado Serving Sauce: To the bowl of a food processor, add the avocado, yogurt, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, cilantro, and garlic. Then season with ¼ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
    Cover the bowl and process the ingredients until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary.
    Taste and adjust for flavor. If you prefer a thinner sauce, stream in olive oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is achieved.
    Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. (SEE NOTES)
  • Once Ready Cook, Fire Up The Grill: Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.
    Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
    While the grill heats, thread the chicken on to metal skewers or soaked wooden skewers.
  • Grill Chipotle Chicken: Add the chipotle chicken skewers to the hot grill and cook, turning once or twice during grilling, until the chicken lightly charred and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
    During the last couple minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with honey.
    Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and transfer it to a clean platter and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
  • Serve Chipotle Grilled Chicken: Divide the zucchini rice among serving bowls, if using, and top with the grilled chipotle chicken, dollop of avocado sauce, and fresh cilantro. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

  • Chicken: You use chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe, just make sure it’s boneless, skinless chicken. As well, if you are pressed for time and don’t feel like cubing and skewering the chicken, just leave the breasts or thighs whole-marinate and grill as directed adding a few minutes to the cook time.
  • Skewers: If making kabobs, and you want to use wooden or bamboo skewers, make sure you allow them to soak in water for at least 30 minutes prior to use to prevent them from burning. (I used a total of 6 large wooden skewers.)
  • Avocado Sauce: Unfortunately, the avocado will oxidize if you try to store it for too long. If you make the avocado sauce in its entirety, you’ll want to use it within 5 hours. However, you can make the sauce more in advance. Here’s how: whisk together all the ingredients EXPECT the avocado and store in the fridge. When ready to use, add it and the avocados to the food processor and process until smooth.
  • Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
  • Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal    Carbohydrates: 11g    Protein: 39g    Fat: 18g    Saturated Fat: 3g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g    Monounsaturated Fat: 11g    Trans Fat: 0.02g    Cholesterol: 110mg    Sodium: 342mg    Potassium: 726mg    Fiber: 1g    Sugar: 10g    Vitamin A: 595IU    Vitamin C: 4mg    Calcium: 51mg    Iron: 1mg
Course: entree
Cuisine: Mexican

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