the best Chipotle Chicken Recipe seeping with flavor is a meal all in one or instantly transforms tacos, burritos, salads, bowls, etc into the most epic tacos, burritos, salads, bowls EVER!

This juicy Chipotle Chicken can be prepped and cooked almost immediately or marinated for longer for super convenient and sensationally delicious dinner. The Wet Rub is quick and easy and tastes better than any restaurant!

Chipotle Chicken with lime and cilantro.

Living in San Diego (Carlsbad is north San Diego), I have a plethora of Mexican restaurants at my fingertips. Thank goodness, because Patrick and I crave Mexican 90% of the time. But even after all our Mexican tasting, my favorite meat is still my Carne Asada and my favorite Mexican chicken is still my very own Chipotle Chicken recipe! Its a fraction of the cost of dining out, 10X the flavor and you can whip it up on a craving or prep beforehand to be instantly at your fingertips. Serve it with Cilantro Lime Rice and Beans Beans for an easy instant meal or tacos, burritos, empanadas, etc..

I’ve used this same Chipotle Chicken Recipe as the crowning adornment of my Southwest Salad with Creamy Avocado Salsa Dressing, Chipotle Chicken Salad with Mango Dressing, Chipotle BBQ Chicken Salad with Tomatillo Avocado Ranch, Chipotle Ranch Chicken Flatbread, BBQ Chipotle Chicken Sandwiches, and Chipotle TexMex Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta – can you tell I’m obsessed with this Chipotle Chicken recipe?!

Fresh cut Chipotle Chicken with lime and cilantro.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade

The Chipotle Chicken marinade is more of a Wet Rub than a marinade. I find this concentrates the flavor for even more robust, fiestalicious chicken. The Chipotle Chicken is bathed in aromatic Mexican spices of chipotle chili powder for a smoky heat, mixed with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder. The spices are mixed with olive oil and lime juice to tenderize the meat so its oh so juicy and then slathered all over your chicken. Just look at those spices ready to create a fiesta in your mouth!

Showing how to make Chipotle Chicken with lime and cilantro marinade.

Depending on your time, you can cook the chicken right away, or wait 30 minutes or better yet, let marinate 8 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the more tender and flavorful it will become.

Preparing chicken for Chipotle Chicken with lime and cilantro.

How to Cook Chipotle Chicken

You can grill your Chipotle Chicken or cook it on your stove. Both produce fabulous results but your grilled Chipotle chicken will natuarallyl be more smoky and have less cleanup. Grilling chicken is not always practical, however, so I’ve included directions for both how to grill your Chipotle Chicken and how to cook it on your stove.

STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS

If your marinated chicken has been refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (time permitting).
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Once very hot, add chicken and cook, undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, or until nicely browned (or blackened if you prefer) on one side.
Turn chicken over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 5-7 more minutes (depending on thickness of chicken), or until chicken is cooked through. Remove to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

GRILLING DIRECTIONS

If your marinated chicken has been refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (time permitting).
Meanwhile, grease and preheat the grill to medium heat, 375-450°F.
Grill chicken undisturbed for 5-7 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through. (An inserted thermometer should read 165 degrees F.) The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken.
Remove chicken from grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

No matter how you cook this Chipotle Chicken – it will be epically flavorful, epically delicious and ready to transform your meal into the best Mexican (fill in the blanks____tacos, burritos, etc.), with crazy little prep and crazy huge flavor. Epic flavor. It’s waiting…

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©Carlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

Close up of cut Chipotle Chicken with lime and cilantro.

If you love Mexican food, you will also love my Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken, Slow Cooker Carnitas, Skillet Chicken Fajitas, and Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef!

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Servings:

Total Time: 20

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

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Ingredients

2-3 chicken breasts pounded thin (1 pound)

Chipotle Chicken Rub

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon lime juice

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk chicken rub ingredients together and rub evenly all over chicken breasts. Time permitting, allow chicken to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate up to 8 hours then bring to room temperature before cooking.*
STOVETOP DIRECTIONS
If chicken has been refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (time permitting).
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Once very hot, add chicken and cook, undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, or until nicely browned (or blackened if you prefer) on one side. Turn chicken over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 5-7 more minutes (depending on thickness of chicken), or until chicken is cooked through. Remove to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
GRILLING DIRECTIONS
If chicken has been refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes (time permitting).
Meanwhile, grease and preheat the grill to medium heat, 375-450°F.
Grill chicken undisturbed for 5-7 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through. (An inserted thermometer should read 165 degrees F.)
Remove chicken from grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

*Chicken is still delicious even if cooked immediately but is more flavorful the longer the rub marinates.
**Total time does not include marinating chicken as this time will vary per individual.

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60 Comments

Olivia Brown says

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This looks really good. I love to get recipe ideas your site. I know the recipes are always terrific.

- Jen says
  
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  Being reliable is the ultimate comment! Thank you so much Olivia!
  
  - Olivia Brown says
    
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    You are welcome!
    
Jenn says

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Have you ever cooked this in a crockpot/slow cooker? I’m interested in this method.

- Jen says
  
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  Hi Jenn, I haven’t but if you haven’t tried my Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken it is fantastic – and you could up the chipotle seasoning. Recipe: https://carlsbadcravings.com/easy-slow-cooker-shredded-mexican-chicken-recipe/
  
Katie says

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Thanks for sharing this with the web! Delicious! We had it over rice and cauliflower rice veggie mixture. I can think of several ways to use this already!

- Jen says
  
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  You are so welcome Katie, I’m so happy you loved it! and YES the possibilities are endless – I even add lime zest, toss it in BBQ sauce, anything and everything!
  
Day says

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Tried this recipe in burritos with cilantro lime rice last night and the kids are still begging for more. Great in salads, tacos, burritos. Tried and True, Delicious!!!!

- Jen says
  
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  Yasssss! Thank you so much for making my day! I’m so happy this chipotle chicken was such a hit!
  
Sarah says

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I made this tonight to go with burrito bowls and it was DELICIOUS! My new go-to recipe. Thank you!

- Jen says
  
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  Yay! I’m so pleased it’s a new favorite, thanks Sarah!
  
Maria says

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It turned out perfectly!!!! I served with sweet potatoes and broccoli. Thanks for the great recipe.

- Jen says
  
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  You’re so welcome Maria! Your whole meal sounds delish!
  
DGarcia says

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LOVE THIS RECIPE! I use this marinade a couple times a month. I also follow this stovetop method and no longer have overcooked chicken! Thank you!

- Jen says
  
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  Thank you so much, I’m so pleased you loved this recipe and are achieving juicy results!
  
Tina says

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This is my favorite go-to chicken recipe for burrito bowls. When my college boys are home, I think we make it at least once a week. It’s perfect, quick and easy, and full of flavor. We don’t like bland food around here, and this is awesome. Thank you! Need to try some of your other recipes since we love this one so much.

- Jen says
  
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  Thanks so much Tina, I’m so pleased this is a go-to favorite! If you love flavorful food, you’ve come to the right place!
  
John says

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I was wondering if you can substitute thigh for drumsticks? Would I need to make any modifications

- Jen says
  
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  Absolutely! The only difference is the cooking time. Bake them for about 40 minutes at 400 degrees F or until they reach an internal temperature of 175ºF, flipping the drumsticks once half-way through.

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Chipotle Chicken Recipe

the best Chipotle Chicken Recipe seeping with flavor is a meal all in one or instantly transforms tacos, burritos, salads, bowls, etc into the most epic tacos, burritos, salads, bowls EVER!

Chipotle Chicken Marinade