The summer recipes continue today with this Grilled Adobo Chicken! I’ve actually had a version of this recipe on my blog for years, but decided to finally give it a facelift and re-test it to make sure it tastes (and looks) as delicious as it should.
It’s a spicy grilled chicken and is made with a simple marinade that’s absolutely giving Chipotle vibes. While this recipe isn’t meant to be a copycat, Chipotle’s house adobo chicken is made with a lot of the same ingredients – chipotle chilis, spices, and garlic. My recipe includes a bit of honey to balance the spice of the chipotles, plus I use lime juice instead of vinegar. Chipotle also uses chicken thighs for their house chicken (which you can absolutely use too), but I went with chicken breast for a higher protein, lower fat option.
There are a couple main types of adobo chicken recipes out there – Filipino and Latin American. This one is a play on the Latin American type, of which you can find many versions throughout the region. This one is closest to a Mexican pollo adobado, which is pretty much just chicken that’s been marinated in a sauce made with chilis.
serve it with:
Pickled Corn Relish
This Pickled Corn Relish combines fresh summer flavors in a bright and tangy topping for grilled meats and veggies for your next barbecue!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this Grilled Adobo Chicken recipe:
- Chicken – I went with chicken breast for this recipe because that’s what I meal prep with the most, but chicken thighs or drumsticks would be great in this marinade too!
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapeños simmered in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce made of tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, and spices. You can find them in a can, usually in the Latin or Mexican section of a grocery store.
- Honey – This marinade needs a little sweetness to balance heat of the chipotles. The sugar also helps the chicken get those gorgeous charred grill marks. Brown sugar would work as a substitute.
- Lime juice – Be careful not to go overboard with the lime juice in this marinade. Too much of it, and the acidity will start to “cook” the chicken as it marinates. That’s also why you don’t want to let these marinate overnight.
- Garlic – Grab some extra garlic powder if you don’t have any fresh garlic cloves on hand.
- Olive oil – A neutral tasting vegetable oil would work here too.
- Spices – I leaned into the Mexican flavors here with Mexican oregano and cumin, plus plenty of salt.
Tips to
Meal Prep this Recipe
This grilled chicken is perfect for pairing with veggies, rice, beans, or even pasta salad as part of your meal prep. If you want to make the meal you see here, check out my recipes for Pickled Corn Relish and grilled zucchini. I throw them all together in a single compartment meal prep container. If you don’t want to reheat the corn relish along with the chicken and zucchini, I recommend putting it in a smaller container or silicone cup so you can easily take it out before microwaving the rest.
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Grilled Adobo Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast
- 2 chipotles in adobo
- 3 tbsp sauce from chipotles in adobo
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp each: Mexican oregano, cumin
Instructions
- Add 2 chipotles in adobo, 3 tbsp sauce from chipotles in adobo, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp honey, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp each: Mexican oregano, cumin to a small food processor and blend until smooth.
- Pound 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast to even thickness and place in a resealable container or bag.
- Pour marinade over chicken and massage until it is evenly coated. Cover and set aside to rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator while you preheat the grill. Pre-heat the grill to 450°F.
- Rub the grill grates with oil or spray with non-stick grill spray. Allow excess marinade to drip from the chicken before adding it, "nice" side down to the grill. Grill for 6 minutes on one side, then flip and grill for another 5-6 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips & Tricks
Nutrition Information
