Chipotle’s Chicken is one of its top menu items, and for good reason! Whether you’re craving a burrito, salad, or a lifestyle bowl, Chipotle’s rich chicken will hit the spot. Now, with a few simple ingredients, you can make our Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe for far less.
This dish uses chicken thighs, one of the juiciest cuts of poultry. The chicken soaks up a flavorful marinade of lime, chipotles in adobo sauce, zesty onion, and a decadent blend of spices. The result? A perfect Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe just waiting to top your favorite rice, beans, lettuce, or tortillas.
If you’re into meal prep, you’ll want to bookmark this simple make-ahead recipe. It also makes a great freezer meal for busy nights! You’ll come back to this mild recipe time and time again.
Chipotle Restaurant 101
Think you know everything about Chipotle? Think again. Here are some little-known facts about Chipotle.
- Chipotle was one of America’s first Mexican fast-food restaurants, eliminating the need for long wait times.
- If you like Chipotle’s music, you can thank their private DJ, who creates new playlists monthly.
- Chipotle is one of the only fast-food chains emphasizing real food, catering to vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free customers.
- Chipotle’s founder went to the same culinary institute as Anthony Bourdain.
- One of Chipotle’s biggest perks is using no shortcuts…including can openers, freezers, etc.
Cost Benefits of Making Our Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe
The convenience of Chipotle is a big advantage, but over time, those little trips add up. On average, it costs $8 to get a chicken bowl…and that’s not including guac and cheese!
Making our version of Chipotle may take a little more time, but your wallet will thank you. This Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe serves four and will cost about $3.50 a person – with leftovers!
Making food at home will always be cheaper because you do the heavy lifting instead of paying someone else.
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
- Adobo peppers in sauce: $2
- Garlic, onion, and citrus: $4
- Spices and herbs: $2
- Olive oil $1
= $14.00 total serving 4 people = $3.50
How to Make Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe
Here’s how to make a Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe that will make you the talk of the town.
Step One: Marinate the Chicken
Place the thawed chicken thighs in a large glass bowl.
In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, chipotles in adobo sauce, lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, garlic, chile powder, smoked paprika, diced onion, and cilantro.
Pour over the chicken thighs and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Step Two: Cook the Copycat Chipotle Chicken 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 and marinade to the pan. Cook the meat until done (165℉). Remove from heat and let rest for 15 minutes. This increases the moisture and gives the meat a juicy texture!
Step Three: Serve the Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe
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 everyone’s favorite, guacamole.
What to Serve With Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe
For a Chipotle-style meal, serve your Chipotle Chicken Recipe with tortilla chips, garnishes like sour cream and guac, cilantro-lime rice, refried beans, and corn tortillas.
Storing Leftover Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe
Leftover Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe 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 and pull it out on those nights you don’t know what’s for dinner.
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.
Chipotle Chicken Recipe Copycat
Enjoy the classic taste of Chipotle's Chicken Recipe at home for the family! We can't get enough of this simple chicken recipe; it's perfect for meal prep, family meals, and of course Taco Tuesday. The ingredients are easy to find and you'll definitely get your money's worth for this delicious main dish.
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Large skillet
- 1-2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for cooking)
- 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 count lime (juiced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 3 count garlic gloves (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon chile powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 count onion (diced)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (more for garnish)
Place the thawed chicken thighs in a large glass bowl.
Whisk together the olive oil, chipotles in adobo sauce, lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, garlic, chile powder, smoked paprika, and diced onion in a small bowl or large measuring cup.
Pour over the chicken thighs and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. If desired, use a griddle pan to create gorgeous grill lines.
Add the chicken and marinade to the pan. Cook the meat until done (165℉). Remove from heat and let rest for 15 minutes.
Slice the chicken and serve on tortillas, lettuce, beans, or rice.
Top with your favorite garnishes, such as lime slices, sour cream, pico de gallo, queso, and guacamole, which is everyone’s favorite.