Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken Recipe
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our disclosure policy
Make this Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken recipe for a tender, juicy protein that's packed with a delicate balance of sweet and spicy flavor. Similar to my Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken, this is a versatile and delicious grilled chicken perfect for burrito bowls, tacos, salads, and so much more!
If you love the combination of smoky chipotle with floral honey sweetness, this perfectly juicy and tender grilled chicken will be a major hit!
A homemade version of the classic restaurant-style chicken, you can easily marinate and grill this chicken to perfection with little to no fuss. If you love my Grilled Soy Garlic Chicken Wings or these Chicken Kebab Skewers, this is another fantastic chicken dish to throw on the grill during the summer months!
Quick Look: Chipotle Honey Chicken Recipe
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- 👨👩👧👦 Servings: 6
- 📊 Calories: ~235 kcal per serving
- 🥣 Ingredients: chicken tenders, garlic, chipotle in adobo sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, olive oil, lime juice, honey
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy, great for meal prep or easy weeknight dinners
Summarize & Save This Content On
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy Steps: Just toss the chicken in the homemade marinade and grill!
Simple Ingredients: Most of the ingredients for this copycat Chipotle chicken are already in your pantry, and anything else will be easy to find at any grocery store.
Incredibly Versatile Dish: You can enjoy this spicy honey chicken as-is with your favorite sides or slice it up to use as a filling for tacos, wraps, burrito bowls, and more.
For even more recipes featuring smoky chipotle flavor, try my Creamy Chipotle Lime Coleslaw or Peach Chipotle Baked Chicken with Coconut Rice.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Tenders: Boneless skinless chicken thighs will also work
- Chipotle: Use chipotle in adobo sauce to maximize the unique smoky heat.
- Seasonings: A blend of smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper rounds out the flavors of the delicious homemade marinade.
- Lime Juice: Like the garlic, fresh lime juice will give the best flavor, but bottled lime juice is a decent shortcut.
- Honey: Balances out all of the warm, savory flavors with some natural sweetness.
How to Make this Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken
- Step 1: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss until the chicken is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, or overnight.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat and brush with oil. Grill 5 to 7 minutes on each side, then rest 5 minutes or so. Chop, slice, or serve as-is!
Recipe Tips
- Use an internal thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches at least 165 degrees F.
- If your grill is particularly hot or efficient, you may want to move the chicken off direct heat to finish cooking. This will prevent burning or drying out the interior.
- Set aside some of the marinade before adding the chicken so you can use it as a sauce in whatever dish the chicken is for.
- If your chicken tenders are a different size, they may cook more slowly or more quickly. Use the thermometer and your best judgment to decide when they're ready to go.
Recipe FAQ's
Absolutely! Just keep in mind that chicken thighs take a bit longer to cook than chicken breasts.
The heat level can be easily adjusted, but as instructed in the recipe, the chicken only has a mild kick of heat that's balanced out by the sweetness of the honey.
Yes, feel free to prepare this ahead of time and store in the fridge to use for meals throughout the week. It's also best to marinate overnight to give the flavors time to develop and really seep into the chicken.
I love to use this as a main course and serve with some corn and baked potatoes, but you can also use this chicken for burrito bowls with a side of my Cilantro Lime Rice.
If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave, in the oven, or in a skillet with a small amount of cooking oil.
More Chicken Recipes
Let’s stay connected! 🍴Follow Butter Your Biscuit for cozy comfort food inspiration
Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2-3 tablespoons chipotle in adobo
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/3 cup honey
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Instructions
- Add the chicken, garlic, chipotle, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, olive oil, lime juice, and honey to a large bowl and toss until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat, lightly coat the grill with a little olive oil and place the chicken on the hot grill over direct heat. Grill for 5-7 minutes keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn. Flip and grill another 5-6 minutes or until; the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Depending on how hot your grill is, you can move it over to indirect heat to finish cooking through.
- Remove from the grill, let rest 5 minutes, and serve as is or for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, quesadillas, or wraps.!
Notes
- My tenders are on the larger size if yours are smaller it will change the cooking time. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Mix the marinade in a small bowl and reserve a couple of tablespoons before adding it to the chicken. Toss the reserved marinade with the cooked chicken before adding to wraps, tacos or burrito bowls.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
