I am a huge fan of Chipotle food! Especially, now that they make a Whole30 salad bowl (not that I often order it :-). This Copycat Chipotle Chicken recipe is another one I make often. So, I thought I’d share it. I’m obviously a big chicken fan. I’ll admit, it’s the easiest meat to cook, hence, the abundance of chicken recipes on my blog.
Chipotle Chicken Spices
Years ago, I looked up a recipe and started making this meal a regular at our house. It’s evolved into my own recipe which is much easier! I simply use my Homemade Taco Seasoning and adobo sauce (if I have it in the house).
It’s so much easier than putting together the spices for one recipe each time I make it. To achieve the Copycat Chipotle style, it’s more about how you cook it than the specific spices you use. You can be a little flexible with the spices.
How to Cook Chicken Like Chipotle
First of all, you can definitely grill this chicken after rubbing it with spices. But, to really get that authentic Chipotle style and flavor, I like to cook it in an iron skillet on the stove and in the oven.
To begin, you will need to pound the chicken out with the flat side of the meat tenderizer to get everything even. You want it to be about one inch thick. If you don’t have a meat tenderizer, use a rolling pin.
Next you will use an iron skillet to cook for 4 minutes on one side and 3 minutes on the other. Then, you’ll pop it into the oven for about 7 minutes.
And that’s it! It’s very easy. You will not be disappointed if you follow this process!
One important tip: Do not move the chicken around in the skillet once you’ve placed it in the piping hot iron skillet. You’ll achieve that blackened chicken flavor better if you just let it cook and flip it once.
Serve it with Chipotle Chicken Bowl Toppings
I love to make this for parties. Serve it with all the toppings and everyone can customize their meal:
- salsa
- pico de gallo
- sour cream
- green onions
- cilantro
- cilantro lime rice
- rice
- beans
- dips
- tomatoes
- cheese
- tacos
- salad
- chips
- guacamole
July 4th or All Year Long
Like I said, this would be great for a party. July 4th is in a couple of days and if you’re looking for a meal idea, this one is great for everyone! Copycat Chipotle Chicken can be customized and made so many ways. Your party guests will love you! Also, many of these condiments will last in the heat of the outdoors if you’re partying outside! But, it’s also a great meal for any time of the year.
Copycat Chipotle Chicken
Equipment
- grill or iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1/8-1/4 cup Homemade Taco Seasoning see blog post
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce (sauce in can of chipotle peppersubstitute chipotle seasoning or smoked paprika
- 1 lb chicken breasts substitute chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
Instructions
- Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Or, prepare grill and set heat on medium/low.
- Using the flat side of a meat tenderizer, pound the thickest part of the chicken breasts to make it even with the thinnest part. About 1 inch thick throughout.
- Once the chicken is an even thickness, pour the Homemade Taco Seasoning and adobo sauce over the chicken and rub into the meat.
- Heat an iron skillet on high with oil. Let it heat up thoroughly for about a minute.
- Once the skillet is good and hot, arrange the chicken breasts in the skillet. It can be packed tightly and still cook nicely. Once you place it in the skillet, do not rearrange or move the chicken. Let it cook for 4 minutes on high.
- Turn the stove down to medium and flip the chicken after 4 minutes. Let it cook another 3 minutes. Then, pop it into the 425 degree oven for 7 minutes.
- When the internal temperature is 165 degrees or higher, you can remove from the oven and let set for 5 minutes before slicing.
- This meal is best served with tortillas and taco toppings or as naked burritos with rice, beans, and all the trimmings. It’s also great on a salad.
Notes
- You can make this recipe without adobo or chipotle. It still tastes very good.
- It’s important not to move the chicken around on the skillet if you want to achieve those dark, blackened pieces of chicken.
- This nutrition label is based on using MrCormick’s seasoning and might be a little different if using my Homemade Taco seasoning.
