Honey Chipotle Chicken + Video (2024)

Honey chipotle chicken is a family favorite Tex Mex dinner made with a quick chicken marinade. Make this recipe for an unforgettable meal!

Chicken is an easy choice when you need to throw together a quick meal. It’s extremely versatile and can be combined with a wide variety of flavors.

Honey Chipotle Chicken

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Note: This is just a partial list of ingredients. For the full ingredient list, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Chicken breasts – Use boneless, skinless breasts and slice them in half horizontally if they are extra large. This helps them cook faster and more evenly. If you prefer dark meat, the recipe works well with boneless thigh meat, too.
  
• Olive oil – If you need a substitute, any neutral flavor of oil with a high smoke point will work, like grapeseed, canola, or avocado oil. You could even use ghee or clarified butter if you’d like.
  
• Chipotle chili powder – This seasoning is made a base of ground chipotle peppers, so it has more smokiness than regular chili powder, which is a blend of different spices. Homemade chili seasoning can be used in a pinch, or try a mix of chili powder and cayenne powder for additional spicy heat.

Tex Mex Marinated Chicken Recipe Video

Want to see the process of marinating and cooking the meal from start to finish? Watch the video located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

First, soak the meat in a blend of honey, lime, and spices. Then, cook the citrus marinated chicken in a pan on the stove. It’s that simple!

Recipe Instructions

1. Make the marinade.

Mix together the marinade ingredients until well combined, and be sure to reserve some of the marinade in a separate bowl. Just set it aside for later in the recipe.

2. Marinate the chicken breasts.

Unlike beef and pork, which have connective tissues that require tenderizing, marinating chicken is solely to add flavor. The marinating time doesn’t have to be long either; 30 to 60 minutes tops is more than enough.

3. Cook and serve

Be sure to let oil heat up completely before you add the food. It isn’t hot enough, you won’t be able to form a nice golden color on the outside of the meat.

Recipe Tips for Honey Chipotle Chicken

• Storage – Transfer leftover honey chipotle chicken to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, wrap in plastic, place in a storage bag, and freeze for up to 6 months.
  
• Reheating – Heat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove until the chicken is warmed through.
  
• Save time – If you’re in a hurry, this dish works just as well without the hour-long marinade. Between the basting and reserved marinade for spooning over at serving, there’s still plenty of flavor.
  
• Discard marinade – For food safety, never reuse any marinade that has touched raw meat. Even the reserved amount used to baste the chicken should be tossed once it’s no longer needed.

Alternate cooking methods

Whichever method you choose, be sure to let the meat rest before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute so each bite is tender and juicy.

• Oven: Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees F for 18-20 minutes, flipping and basting halfway through.
  
• Grill: Heat the grill and oil well, then cook the chicken for 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. Flip halfway through and baste several times throughout.

What to Serve With Tex Mex Chicken