Name: Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 22 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers in 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 black pepper; ½ cup chicken broth; 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Introduction

This Copycat Chipotle Chicken brings the smoky, spicy flavors of your favorite fast-casual meal right into your home kitchen. Perfectly marinated and air-fried, this chicken is juicy, flavorful, and versatile for tacos, burritos, or salads.

A beige bowl filled with many small, browned chicken pieces coated in spices. A wooden spoon held by a woman's hand scoops up some chicken, showing the chunky and textured meat. In the background, there is a white plate stacked with round flatbreads, a white bowl of shredded cheese, and parts of other bowls containing salsa and green guacamole, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons adobo sauce (see notes)
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
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

Step 1: In a large zip-top bag, combine olive oil, adobo sauce, chili powder, onion powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, cracked pepper, and chicken broth. Mix well until all ingredients are fully blended.
Step 2: Add the chicken thighs to the bag, seal it tightly, and massage the marinade into the chicken until evenly coated.
Step 3: Refrigerate and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 12 hours for deeper flavor.
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 5: Cook the chicken for about 12 minutes, or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Step 6: Let the chicken rest a few minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces and serve as a filling for tacos, burritos, or atop salads.

Tips & Variations

For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the marinade.
If you don’t have adobo sauce, substitute with chipotle powder and a splash of lime juice.
Chicken breasts can be used, but thighs offer more juiciness and flavor.
Marinating overnight intensifies the spices and results in more tender chicken.

Storage

Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. This chicken also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Two soft tortillas folded in half sit on a white plate placed on a wooden tray, each filled with four layers: at the bottom, browned grilled chicken chunks with a slightly crispy texture; above this, fresh green lettuce and small diced red tomatoes add color; next, a creamy white layer of sour cream topped with shredded white cheese; and finally, a dollop of bright green guacamole nestled near the opening. A woman's hand is gently holding the front tortilla. Around the plate, there are small white bowls with chunky red salsa and smooth green guacamole, fresh lime wedges, and sprigs of green cilantro on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I cook this chicken without an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 20–25 minutes or until cooked through. Turning halfway helps it cook evenly.

What is adobo sauce and where can I find it?

Adobo sauce is a smoky, spicy sauce typically found in canned chipotle peppers in adobo. It’s available in most grocery stores near the Mexican or international foods aisle.

Copycat Chipotle Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 122 reviews

This Copycat Chipotle Chicken recipe recreates the bold, smoky, and spicy flavors of the beloved Chipotle chicken, perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or bowls. Marinated in a blend of chili powder, adobo sauce, and spices, then air-fried to juicy perfection, it offers a quick and flavorful meal option.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes (including minimum marinating time)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers in 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 black pepper
½ cup chicken broth

Main Ingredient

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

Prepare the Marinade: In a large zip-top bag, combine the olive oil, adobo sauce, chili powder, onion powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and chicken broth. Mix thoroughly by stirring or massaging the bag until all ingredients are well blended.
Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into the zip-top bag with the marinade. Seal the bag securely and massage it gently to ensure the chicken pieces are fully coated with the marinade.
Allow to Marinate: Refrigerate the bag and let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to infuse, or up to 12 hours for maximum flavor development.
Preheat Air Fryer: When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
Cook the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is fully cooked through.
Chop and Serve: Remove cooked chicken and chop into bite-sized pieces. Use as a filling for tacos, burritos, bowls, or salads to enjoy the smoky, spicy flavor.

Notes

Adobo sauce can be found canned with chipotle peppers in most grocery stores; it adds smoky heat.
Marinating for longer times enhances flavor, but do not exceed 12 hours to maintain texture.
Using chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy and tender compared to chicken breasts.
If an air fryer is not available, the chicken can be cooked in a hot skillet or oven but cook times and texture may vary.
Adjust chili powder and adobo sauce levels for desired spice heat.

Keywords: Chipotle chicken, copycat Chipotle recipe, smoky chicken, taco filling, air fryer chicken, Mexican chicken recipe