Chipotle Honey Chicken
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Sweet and smoky, with just the right amount of spice, this Chipotle Honey Chicken recipe is packed with flavor! Seasoned chicken is grilled to perfection then coated in a mouthwatering glaze made with smoky chipotle peppers and sweet honey.
This Chipotle copycat recipe can be served with cilantro lime rice to make burrito bowls, in tortillas to make tacos or burritos, or on top of a salad. It’s a versatile dish that’s bold, delicious, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner made in just 20 minutes!
Why you’ll love this chipotle honey chicken
As soon as Chipotle announced the new chipotle honey chicken addition to the menu, I knew I had to try it, then make a copycat recipe at home.
Chipotle and honey are two ingredients that I love to combine on the blog. These chipotle honey salmon tacos are always in the menu rotation at our house. And these slow cooker chipotle honey pulled pork tacos have been a hit on the blog for over a decade!
The sweet and spicy combo, also known as “swicy” has been one of the biggest food trends of the last couple years, and I have to say that it’s a trend I can get on board with! Here’s why I love this chicken recipe and I know that you will too.
- It’s easy and versatile! You can make the chicken start-to-finish in just 20 minutes with 5 super simple steps. Then you can use it in a variety of different ways to top salads, make burrito bowls, or make tacos.
- It’s so flavorful! The combination of sweet honey and spicy chipotle chilis is a perfect match. Toss in some fresh lime juice, cilantro and the delicious char of grilled chicken and you’ve got a winning combination of flavors!
- It’s a way better deal than Chipotle! You can make four chipotle honey chicken burrito bowls at home for the price of one at the fast casual restaurant.
Ingredients
Here I explain the best ingredients for this chipotle honey chicken recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For the exact ingredient measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken thighs – I love grilling boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They cook quickly and they’re so juicy and flavorful. If you want to make a copycat Chipotle recipe, use chicken thighs. If you prefer a leaner protein, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Chipotle chili powder – found on the spice aisle at most grocery stores. This adds the smoky chipotle flavor to both the chicken and the glaze.
- Ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder and salt – to season the chicken.
- Avocado oil (or olive oil) – to rub on the chicken before seasoning it.
- Honey
- Lime juice
- Cilantro – if you’re someone who doesn’t like the taste of cilantro, you can leave it out of the glaze.
Instructions
I’ve included step by step photos below to make this recipe super easy to follow at home. For the full detailed recipe instructions, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the seasoning mix. In a small bowl, combine chipotle chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder and salt.
- Prepare the honey glaze. In another small bowl, whisk honey, lime juice, cilantro and chipotle chili powder together. Set it aside.
- Rub the chicken. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then coat on all sides with avocado oil. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning evenly on all sides of the chicken thighs.
- Grill the chicken. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Once the grill is hot, add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side.
- Glaze the chicken. During the last 2 minutes of cooking time, brush half of the prepared glazed on the chicken thighs. Remove the chicken from the grill when the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The temperature will rise about 5 degrees as it rests. Brush the remaining glaze over the chicken thighs, then let them rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
Ways to serve it
This chipotle honey chicken is as versatile as it is delicious! Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it, but the possibilities really are endless. Meal prep a bunch of the chicken at the beginning of the week, then try it in a variety of different meals!
- Burrito bowls – since Chipotle was my original inspiration for making this recipe, of course I had to make a copycat burrito bowl. Start with a base of cilantro lime rice, dice up the chipotle honey chicken and pile it on top of the rice, along with your other favorite toppings. For the bowls pictured here, I added black beans, chopped romaine lettuce, sliced avocado and pickled red onions.
- Tacos or burritos – slice or dice the chicken, then add it to warm tortillas with your favorite taco toppings. I love filling these chipotle honey chicken tacos with crumbled cotija cheese, fajita veggies and guacamole.
- On top of a salad – this chicken is the perfect protein to turn a simple side salad into an entree. Use it to top this Mexican Street Corn Salad or this Grilled Romaine Chopped Salad.
You can also serve this grilled chipotle honey chicken as an entree with your favorite Mexican side dishes. It’s great with Mexican rice, Mexican black beans or fresh tomato salsa with tortilla chips.
How to make it on the stove
No grill? No problem! Just follow these simple steps to cook the chicken in a skillet on the stove.
- Prepare the seasoning mix and glaze as instructed. Coat the chicken in the avocado oil and seasoning.
- Heat an additional tablespoon avocado oil in a large cast iron skillet (or the heaviest skillet you have available) on the stove over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush the prepared glaze over the chicken and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Brush with any remaining glaze and let it rest for 5 minutes.
Storage and reheating
Store leftover chipotle honey chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days.
You can eat the leftover chicken cold. I like to do this on top of a salad. Or you can reheat it. I recommend reheating it in a hot skillet on the stove for 3-4 minutes per side, or in an air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes. These methods will give you the best taste and texture after the chicken is reheated.
More Mexican recipes
If you love this chipotle honey chicken recipe, I know you’ll love these other tested and perfected Mexican recipes!
Chipotle Honey Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons chipotle chili powder, divided
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil, or olive oil
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
- In a small bowl, combine 3 teaspoons chipotle chili powder with the cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Rub the chicken thighs with the avocado oil then sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the chicken.
- In a small bowl, whisk the honey, lime juice and fresh cilantro with the remaining teaspoon chipotle chili powder and set it aside.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the grill and grill for 5-6 minutes per side.
- During the last 2 minutes on the grill, brush half of the prepared glazed on the chicken thighs.
- Remove the chicken from the grill when the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The temperature will rise about 5 degrees as it rests. Brush the remaining glaze over the chicken thighs, then let them rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.
- Slice or dice the chicken to serve in tacos or burrito bowls.
Notes
- If you don’t have a grill, you can make this recipe on the stove. Refer to the blog post above for the full instructions.
- Store chipotle honey chicken leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days.
Nutrition Facts
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