Lately I’ve been craving Mexican food, maybe it’s the weather or because it’s simple to cook or it’s because it goes well with an ice cold beer? All of the above? But when I want Mexican, I crave this simple and quick Chipotle Chicken Marinade!

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

I use this recipe when I make chicken fajitas, quesadillas and nachos. The great thing about this recipe is that you can control the heat factor, so if you want it spicier you just add more chipotles and vice versa.

So what is chipotle in adobo??

Chipotle: is a smoked-dried jalapeno. Adobo is Spanish for sauce which is prepared by stewing the chipotles with tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, salt, and spices like ground cumin and dried oregano, but mainly it’s the peppers which gives it flavor!.

When I make this for my for my family I only use two, but if it is my husband and myself, which is rare, I add another one because we like it spicy! Just take my advice, don’t taste the adobo sauce straight up or your tongue might fall off. kidding! But it is spicy. Hopefully that doesn’t scare you, I don’t want you think the recipe I’m giving you is insanely spic because mixing the chipotles with the oil, honey and garlic plus the grilling really tones it down.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

To Make This Chipotle Chicken You Will Need:

  • olive oil
  • honey
  • chipotles in adobo
  • ground cumin
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

In your food processor add the olive oil. I so love my mini food processor for salad dressings and marinades!! I think you can get them for 20$!! Totally worth it!

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Then add the honey…

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

salt and pepper…

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

and the cumin… Don’t turn it on just yet…

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Smash and peel the two garlic cloves. I love garlic… eat it almost everyday… even for breakfast… just you wait, you’ll be eating it too!

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Roughly chop the garlic, it doesn’t have to be pretty or fancy.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Throw it in with all the others.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Next open the can of chipotles in adobo {you can find these easily at your local grocery store in the ethnic food aisle}. Here is where you have the control… to make it spicy or not-so-spicy. So start with two… then work your way up the next time. For a small can it sure does hold a lot of chipotle chiles! You could save these in an airtight container and even add a few to your salsa!

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Line em’ up and roughly chop.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Add them to the other ingredients, tightly lock the lid into place and let ‘er rip! {Here is where you could add in the optional ingredients listed below with the recipe!}

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

It should be thick…but not chunky.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Pour the marinade over top of the chicken.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Toss them around and cover with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

I would definitely refrigerate the chicken in the Chipotle Chicken Marinade for about an hour and a half. Then pull them out 30 minutes in advance to bring them up a bit in temperature.

Cold chicken on a hot grill is not ideal.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Over medium to medium high heat grill the chicken until it reaches around 170 degrees internally with a thermometer, or 4 to 6 minutes per-side depending on thickness.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Don’t forget to let your chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing, cover it with aluminum foil and let it chill. Then you can slice it up thin and use it for quesadillas, tacos or nachos.

Chipotle Chicken Marinade l SimplyScratch.com

Enjoy! And if you give this Chipotle Chicken Marinade recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

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Yield: 4 servings

Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Sweet and smoky, this Chipotle Chicken Marinade has fresh garlic, chipotles and cumin with a touch of honey. Perfect with shrimp, chicken or beef.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 whole chipotle peppers in adobo, roughly chopped
  • 1 pinch kosher salt (generous)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions 

  • In a mini food processor add olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic and chopped chipotles.
  • Let the food processor run until the marinade is thick but not chunky.
  • Pour over chicken and marinade for two hours {remove 30 minutes prior to grilling}.
  • Heat your grill to medium/ medium high heat and grill the chicken 4 to 6 minutes a side or until no longer pink.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 113kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 18mg, Potassium: 16mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 28IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg