It’s officially time for grilling season! And if you love the sweet and spicy combo, you have to try this honey chipotle chicken marinade.
It comes together with a quick marinade and then is grilled until juicy and tender, with little char bits on the outside. Plus, it makes a ton, perfect for BBQs or meal prep. We love making a decent amount of protein at the beginning of the week so that we can repurpose it throughout the week.
If you don’t have a grill, you can make this chipotle honey chicken in the oven, on the stovetop, and even in the crockpot or instant pot (see section below for instructions)! Serve it with some veggies and carbs for a nice balanced meal, top it on a salad, or use it in tacos and burrito bowls.
Why you’ll love this honey chipotle chicken marinade recipe
- so flavorful! – the combo of chipotle peppers in adobo plus honey, lime juice, and spices gives you the perfect sweet and spicy flavor. The chicken gets a perfect char with crispy edges while remaining juicy and tender.
- makes a lot – we are using 3 pounds of chicken (you can adjust down if desired). Perfect for prepping at the beginning of the week to have on hand.
- super versatile – use it in tacos, power bowls, or burrito bowls, on salads, or just as a quick protein option paired with some carbs, veggies, and fat for a complete meal.
Why marinate chicken?
Marinating chicken is an easy way to help add flavor to and make your meat tender and juicy. The longer the marinating time, the more opportunity the chicken has to absorb the flavor and tenderize the meat. But even marinating for 30 minutes can help elevate your meal!
What does honey chipotle taste like?
Honey chipotle has a sweet, spicy, and smoky flavor. The chipotle peppers have a kick to them, bringing some spice and heat, while the honey adds a nice sweetness. The smokiness comes from the smoked jalapenos (chipotles). It makes a delicious combination!
How spicy is chipotle sauce?
Chipotle peppers are jalapeno peppers that have been dried and smoked. They are a tad bit spicier than jalapenos as they ripen on the vine to give them their red color. The Scoville scale ranges from 0 (no heat at all) to 16,000,000, with jalapenos falling in the 2,000-8,000 range of medium heat. You can read more about them on the pepper scale.
I find it depends on the brand of chipotles in adobo you get – some are spicier than others. You can always adjust the amount used if needed.
Honey chipotle chicken marinade ingredients
- chicken thighs
- chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- honey
- fresh lime juice
- olive oil
- garlic powder
- chili powder
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- Mexican oregano
- salt and pepper
How to make chipotle chicken marinade
- Make the marinade. Add all ingredients except your chicken to a jar. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth and combined, about 30 seconds. You can also use a blender. Adjust according to taste, as some brands of peppers are spicier than others.
- Marinate your chicken. Add chicken to a large baking dish or plastic bag and pour over the marinade. Mix well to combine. If desired, you can stir/toss the chicken every few hours to ensure coating. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. The longer the better.
- Grill. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees). Once hot, place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes, depending on how thick your thighs are, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy! Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
What if I don’t have a grill?
If you don’t have a grill, this recipe still works great.
- bake – preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Roast on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 35-45 minutes until cooked through.
- stovetop – heat up a large cast iron skillet with 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Add thighs and fry for 5-6 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and you can easily flip the chicken. Flip and cook for another 8-10 minutes (or longer), depending on how thick your thighs are, until cooked through and the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
Can I make this in the Instant Pot or crockpot?
Yes! This honey chipotle chicken works well in either appliance. You won’t have the marinate the chicken (although you can if you want) and just cook it directly in the sauce. Then shred and enjoy!
- crockpot – make the marinade. Add chicken and honey chipotle sauce to your slow cooker and mix well. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred and enjoy!
- Instant Pot – make the marinade. Add chicken and honey chipotle sauce to your pressure cooker and mix well. Close the lid and make sure it is locked and the valve is set to seal. Set on manual mode for high pressure for 13 minutes. The amount of time will depend on how thick your breasts are. Let the pressure release naturally or turn the valve to venting for quick pressure release. Shred and enjoy!
How long should you marinate chicken?
Depending on the marinade, you can marinate chicken anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours in the refrigerator. The longer the marinating time, the more flavor the chicken will have. If you have a marinade with a lot of citrus in it, it is best to only marinate for 30 minutes up to 2 hours, as the citrus can break down the chicken and change the texture.
For this honey chipotle chicken, I suggest marinating for a minimum of 2 hours, but ideally for 6-8 hours, for the best flavor. You can even let it sit overnight.
What to serve with grilled chicken
- in tacos – stuff tortillas with diced chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
- Chipotle-style burrito bowls – serve with cilantro lime rice, pinto or black beans, fajita veggies, cheese, avocado/guacamole, and corn salsa.
- in quesadillas or tostadas
- as the protein in a salad with veggies
- as an easy protein with some carbs, veggies, and fat for a complete meal
Storage
- refrigerator – store chicken in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
- freezer – cook according to directions and let the chicken cool completely. Add to a bag (we love these reusable silicone ones) or a freezer dish. You can use a large container or freeze in individual servings. Chicken should last up to 3 months in the freezer. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
- reheating – add leftovers to a pan with oil and let warm through. You can also reheat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Substitutions
- chicken thighs – I like boneless and skinless chicken thighs, but bone-in will also work. Chicken breasts will also work.
- honey – honey is what helps balance out the spiciness of the chipotles. If you don’t have honey, you can try maple syrup, it will change the flavor some though.
- olive oil – any kind of neutral-tasting oil will work.
- garlic powder – I like using ground spices as they distribute more evenly. You can use fresh garlic cloves if you like. Feel free to change up the spices if you want.
More healthy grilled chicken recipes
- favorite grilled chicken thigh marinade
- chicken marinated in pickle juice
- buffalo chicken burgers
- 5 healthy chicken marinades
- greek chicken kabobs
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Honey Chipotle Chicken Marinade
equipment
ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 heaping cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (about 3-4 peppers plus some sauce to fill the cup)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Mexican dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
instructions
- Make the marinade. Add all ingredients except your chicken to a jar. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth and combined, about 30 seconds. You can also use a blender. Adjust according to taste, as some brands of peppers are spicier than others.
- Marinate your chicken. Add chicken to a large baking dish or plastic bag and pour over the marinade. Mix well to combine. If desired, you can stir/toss the chicken every few hours to ensure coating. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. The longer the better.
- Grill. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees). Once hot, place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes, depending on how thick your thighs are, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy! Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
Kelsey says
This is one of the best chicken marinades I’ve had in a while! I made tacos and paired it with avocado and the coleslaw from the bbq chicken taco recipe. It has the perfect amount of heat and flavor. Will definitely be adding this to me regular rotation.
Amy says
This was so tasty and easy to make! The hardest part was trimming the fat from the chicken thighs, so I will make this with chicken breasts next time. Came together in about 20 mins, really easy to cook a ton of protein in a short time. I used a cast iron pan, followed the instructions given and they were perfect. Served with rice and roasted asparagus. 10/10!
Kelly says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for trying it, Amy!
Daniela Barton says
Kelly’s recipes are my go to’s. I love her macro friendly approach plus everything is delicious, just like this chicken marinade. I didn’t grill mine, I used an Airfryer and it turned out fantastic!
TY!
Kelly says
Love that you used the air fryer – so smart! Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for trying it!
jen ocarroll says
DELISH!!!! I only had hot honey which made it a tad spicier. I grilled so the heat wasn’t as hot as for me. You could definitely save some sauce if you want to kick up. My only problem was I didn’t make more!! Great recipe. It’s a keeper!!
Kelly says
So glad you liked it!! Next time make more for sure 🙂
Dan says
🤪can’t get enough
Kelly says
So delicious!