The Incredible Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe is Here

Chipotle’s Chicken Al Pastor is a crowd favorite that hit restaurants in 2023. Unfortunately, this item is limited-time only, saddening fans who crave sweet, spicy chicken year-round. 

Thankfully, making the Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe is easier than you may think, and we’ve got the lowdown so that you can try it for yourself. 

The recipe features juicy chicken marinated in a smoky adobo sauce accented with a twist of lime and pineapple juice. The best part? This chicken is incredibly versatile and can be made ahead of time. Simply marinade the chicken in the morning for the easiest family meal you’ll ever prep. 

Whether you’re topping salads, filling burrito bowls, or stuffing tacos, this is one recipe you’ll want to keep in your meal prep rotation!

What Exactly is Chicken Al Pastor and Where Did It Come From?

The term ‘Al Pastor’ translates as ‘in the style of the shepherd’ and comes from the Lebanese term “Shawarma” when the Lebanese immigrated to Mexico in the 1900’s. The Shawarma influence merged into Mexican cuisine to form this unique taste for pork and chicken instead of lamb.

Over time, this flavor enhanced further with Mexican peppers, spices, and pineapple that is now the Al Pastor we all know and love today. The typical way to make pastor is by using a vertical spit, which was the same method Shawarma is slowly cooked; however chefs also place pineapple on top for the juice to slowly fall down and get absorbed (my mouth is watering as I type this).

Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe 101

Here’s the 411 on one of Chipotle’s fan favorites. 

• Chipotle prepares its Chicken Al Pastor Recipe in small batches, giving each customer the freshness they deserve. 
• Chipotle’s Chief Brand Officer states that 1 in 5 customers ordered chicken al pastor while it was available. 
• Chipotle wasn’t planning on bringing Chicken Al Pastor back, but the customer’s voice won, and a year later, the recipe made a comeback. 
• Chicken Al Pastor gets its delicious flavor from seared morita peppers and ground achiote, rare ingredients that chipotles in adobo sauce mimic perfectly. 

Cost Benefits of Making This Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe

Eating Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor will cost around $8.95, depending on your locale. With the rising food costs, this number can only be expected to rise!

Our Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe serves four and costs approximately $3.87 per person. We kept the cost low by substituting harder-to-find ingredients (we’re looking at you, achiote paste) with components found at most grocery stores (chipotles in adobo sauce.) 

Here’s how it breaks down. Keep in mind that prices vary based on your store and location, so this is just a rough estimate: 

• Chicken $5 
• Pineapple $2.50 
• Adobo peppers in sauce $3 
• Spices and herbs: $3
• Tortillas $2

 = $15.50 total serving 4 people = $3.87

Cost of a Chipotle meal for 4 people = $40.00+

Making Chicken Al Pastor at home may take a little more time, but the money saved is worth it. 

How to Make Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe 

Here’s how to make enough Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor for the entire family!

Step One: Marinate the Chicken

Place the thawed chicken thighs and pineapple chunks in a large glass bowl. 

Whisk together the pineapple juice, olive oil, chipotles in adobo sauce, chile powder, lime juice, cumin, salt, black pepper, onion, and cilantro in a small bowl or large measuring cup. Pour over the chicken thighs and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 

Step Two: Cook the Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Alternatively, cook the chicken on the grill or bake it in the oven at 400℉.

Add the chicken, pineapple, and marinade to the pan. Cook the meat until done (165℉), and the marinade thickens. Remove from heat and let rest for 15 minutes. This allows the juices to pool back into the meat, giving it the perfect texture. 

Step Three: Serve the Chicken Al Pastor

Slice the chicken and serve on tortillas, lettuce, beans, or rice. Top with your favorite garnishes, like lime slices, sour cream, pico de gallo, queso, and, of course, guacamole. 

What to Serve with Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor

For a Chipotle-style meal, serve your Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor with tortilla chips, cilantro-lime rice, refried beans, and corn tortillas. 

Storing Leftover Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor

Leftover Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 4 months. This is an excellent prep-ahead meal; simply freeze your chicken in the marinade. 

To cook from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook at 350℉ for 30-40 minutes, or pan fry until it reaches 165℉ internally. 

The Incredible Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe is Here

If you've had the Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor when they had the option available, you'll understand why this recipe is so important to make at home. Not only is this an incredibly cheap and tasty meal to feed a family of four; but you'll never have to wait around for Chipotle to release the special chicken option again.

• Large skillet

• 1-2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (thawed)
• 1 can pineapple chunks, plus juice (20 ounce can)
• 1 can pineapple juice from the can
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus more for cooking)
• 2 tablespoons chipotles in adobo sauce
• 1 tablesppon chile powder
• 1 count lime (juice from lime)
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 count onion (diced)

1. Place the thawed chicken thighs and pineapple chunks in a large glass bowl.

2. Whisk together the pineapple juice, olive oil, chipotles in adobo sauce, lime juice, chile powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, onion, and cilantro in a small bowl or large measuring cup.

3. Pour over the chicken thighs and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

4. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.

5. Add the chicken, pineapple, and marinade to the pan. Cook the meat until done (165℉) and the marinade is reduced. Remove from heat and let rest for 15 minutes.

6. Slice the chicken and serve on tortillas, lettuce, beans, or rice.

7. Top with your favorite garnishes, such as lime slices, sour cream, pico de gallo, queso, and guacamole. Enjoy!

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead?

Yes, the chicken will be leaner, less fat.  However the meat will be less juicy and tender.  Cook the meat a little slower and keep your eye on the temperature.

 

 

Main Course

Mexican

chipotle, copycat recipe