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Juicy chicken marinated in smoky chipotle spices, grilled to perfection, and packed with bold Tex‑Mex flavor—ready in just 45 minutes!
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Smoky Chipotle Chicken – Ready in 45 Minutes

Juicy chicken marinated in smoky chipotle spices, grilled to perfection, and packed with bold Tex‑Mex flavor—ready in just 45 minutes!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword Chipotle Chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts approx. 4
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tabelspoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce minced; remove seeds to reduce spiciness
  • 2 teaspoon adobo sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • fresh limes for 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.