This Chipotle Chicken is a savory, smoky dish with a touch of sweetness from brown sugar, balanced by the zesty freshness of cilantro and lime. The marinade infuses each chicken breast with layers of flavor, creating a juicy and flavorful main perfect for serving with rice, in tacos, or on a fresh salad.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword Chipotle Chicken
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Marinating 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 45 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Ingredients
2lbsboneless skinless chicken breasts approx. 4
¼cuplight brown sugarpacked
2tabelspoon chopped cilantro
1chipotle chile in adobo sauceminced; remove seeds to reduce spiciness
2teaspoonadobo sauce
1 ½teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonchili powder
¼teaspoongarlic powder
¼teaspoonground black pepper
fresh limesfor serving
Instructions
In a mixing bowl or a large zip-top bag, blend together brown sugar, fresh cilantro, chipotle chili, adobo sauce, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Add the chicken, ensuring it's well-coated with the seasoning mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or let it marinate for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.
Preheat the grill to medium heat. Once it’s hot, grill the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to preserve its juices.
Serve with fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the chicken, if desired—this adds a bright, zesty flavor that's highly recommended.
Notes
If the marinade seems too dry, feel free to add a tablespoon of oil—canola, vegetable, or olive oil all work well—to provide extra moisture beyond the chipotle pepper and adobo sauce.