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Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Michelle
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

This Copycat Chipotle Chicken recipe brings the smoky, spicy flavors of Chipotle Mexican Grill right to your kitchen using a simple marinade and air frying technique. Perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or bowls, this juicy and flavorful chicken thighs recipe is easy to prepare, versatile, and sure to become a family favorite.


Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
  • ½ cup chicken broth

Main Ingredient

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs


Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: Add olive oil, adobo sauce, chili powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, cracked pepper, and chicken broth into a large zip-top bag. Stir or smoosh the ingredients until fully combined.
  2. Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken thighs into the bag with the marinade. Seal the bag tightly and smoosh it around to ensure all chicken pieces are evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours to allow flavors to penetrate the meat.
  3. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for cooking the chicken.
  4. Cook Chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, placing them in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and is fully cooked through.
  5. Serve: Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and use as a delicious filling for tacos, burritos, salads, or bowls. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Use a jar of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for the adobo sauce; save the peppers for other spicy recipes.
  • This recipe works well with chicken breasts; pound them to an even thickness before marinating and cooking for best results.
  • Marinating overnight will enhance the flavor, but a minimum of 1 hour is required for good taste.
  • Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow even cooking of the chicken.