Go Back
–+ servings
Grilled honey chipotle chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Next to it is a plate of lime wedges.
Print Pin
4.91 from 10 votes

Honey Chipotle Chicken Marinade

This honey chipotle chicken marinade blends chipotle peppers in adobo, olive oil, honey, lime, and spices for a perfect sweet and spicy flavor. It's highly versatile, simple to make, and ideal for meal prep!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword chipotle adobe chicken, chipotle chicken marinade, chipotle grilled chicken, chipotle honey chicken copycat recipe, honey chipotle chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 251kcal
Author Kelly Nardo

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/3 heaping cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (about 3-4 peppers plus some sauce to fill the cup)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Make the marinade. Add all ingredients except your chicken to a jar. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth and combined, about 30 seconds. You can also use a blender. Adjust according to taste, as some brands of peppers are spicier than others.
  • Marinate your chicken. Add chicken to a large baking dish or plastic bag and pour over the marinade. Mix well to combine. If desired, you can stir/toss the chicken every few hours to ensure coating. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. The longer the better.
  • Grill. Heat the grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450 degrees). Once hot, place chicken close to direct heat and grill for 6-8 minutes. Flip and move to indirect heat (not directly over fire/coals) and cook for another 5-10 minutes, depending on how thick your thighs are, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
  • Enjoy! Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!

Notes

Nutrition will depend on how fatty your chicken thighs are

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (3.75 ounces cooked) | Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.9g | Protein: 33.3g | Fat: 9.9g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4.4g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 311mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 4.1g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1.9mg