Grilled Chipotle Chicken {Oven Directions Included!}
Flavorful and so easy, this grilled chipotle chicken is amazing (oven directions included)! Delicious on its own, it’s also perfect for quesadillas, salads, or burritos!
I know you might think that I’m jumping the gun a bit by posting a grilling recipe in March.
But when my husband basically tells me this is the best chicken he’s ever eaten in his life, I figure I better get the recipe in front of you ASAP (that’s how much I love you).
Plus, we finally climbed out of the snow-covered temps and into the 50’s, and I’m ready to grill all the things (and wear flip flops every day for the foreseeable future).
And if I’m being totally honest, I’m actually one of those weirdos who grills all year long even if it means traipsing out to the grill in my winter parka. But the warmer temps definitely make me feel more tender toward my grill.
Don’t worry, though, if you feel as though grilling isn’t your friend, I’ve given some easy oven-broiling directions in the recipe below.
Because I definitely do not want you to miss out on the deliciousness of this chipotle chicken, grilled or not.
It is crazy delicious.
We honestly can’t get enough! I’ve made it several times over the last few weeks, and because it’s so versatile, it really hasn’t gotten old. And it makes the best, best lunches.
Our favorite way to eat it is rolled up in tortillas with sour cream, cheese, grilled or sautéed onions + bell peppers, and warmed sauce from the recipe.
And when you dig in, I think you’ll realize why Brian (and the rest of us) cannot stop raving about this chicken.
You can just as easily serve the chicken sliced up on it’s own and dipped in the tangy and sweet sauce…or put together a grilled chipotle chicken salad maybe?
Or burrito?
Quesadilla?
Options = endless.
The magic is in the marinade and the sauce! Simple and somewhat unusual ingredients come together to form a tasty blend that make this sweet and spicy chicken pop with flavor!
Easy enough for that weeknight meal…and tasty enough to serve to company, this grilled chipotle chicken is amazing!
Along with those flip flops that I don’t plan on taking off for the next few months, I have a feeling this versatile and delicious chicken is going to be on serious repeat for a while.
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Chili Sauce: the flavor will vary greatly depending on brand (or if you are using homemade). My recommendation is to use one that you love the flavor of. My grocery store sells a locally made, homemade-looking version that we love; usually chili sauce is by the ketchup and mustard. For a quick homemade version, this throw-together recipe looks promising. It will completely change the flavor, but if you can't find a chili sauce you want to use (or just don't want to use it), you could probably substitute BBQ sauce and see how that plays out. Chipotle Peppers: have a definite kick to them! When I make this, I usually use the full 2 tablespoon amount, but some of the spice wimps in my family wish I'd use less. If you don't know where you fall in terms of chipotle pepper heat, start with the smaller amount (or less). The La Costena brand sells a brilliant jarred version that already has the chipotle peppers chopped (and it's resealable, so no more messing around opening up a can to only use a small amount!), and I've seen it in most of the stores in my area. I just spoon out what I want and refrigerate the rest. Chicken: I very much prefer thin-sliced chicken breasts for grilling (or really for any recipe, to be honest). I usually buy the thin chicken breasts from Costco (in the big bulk frozen bag), but if I only have thicker chicken breasts, I cut them in half (like a hamburger bun) or pound before using. How to Serve: our favorite way to eat this chicken is sliced and rolled up in warmed tortillas with cheese, sour cream, grilled or sautéed onions + bell peppers, and sauce from the recipe. SO good! As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Grilled Chipotle Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
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We have had this sauce 3 times in a week! So delicious, I wish I’d found it sooner. So far we’ve eaten it on chicken twice and salmon once. Plus we put a little bit of the sauce on our rice and whatever veggies we’re having, too. It’s warm (but not too hot) and tangy and the lime just adds that little extra something. Once again thank you, Mel!
Love all the ways you’ve been enjoying that sauce, Jolie!
I made this using Kroger brand chili sauce and only put 1 Tbsp adobo chilies and it really just tasted like BBQ sauce. Can anyone report on how it tasted with Heinz? Or do I really need the 2 Tbsp of chilies?
I used Heinz chili sauce and 1 tablespoon chipotle adobo sauce. It was good but next time I’ll add at least 2 tablespoons because I couldnt really taste the chipotle.
This is delicious! I appreciate you including broil instructions because we don’t have a grill. I served mine as part of a rice bowl with cheese, lettuce, green onions, ranch dressing, and broken tortilla chips. And of course, I drizzled on some of the yummy chipotle sauce! Of note, I used the recipe for chili sauce that you provided a link to; it worked great. Thank you so much for another keeper.
Made it and loved it! I actually had 3 pounds of chicken and there was plenty of marinade /extra sauce for the additional chicken. I remembered I wanted to cut them into thin breasts AFTER they were already in the marinade, so we went with thick. (I was in the third round of testing a cake recipe, so I was distracted.) We grilled them and they came out tender, juicy and delicious! Will definitely be making them again!
I’m so happy you loved it, Ramona! Thanks for the report back!
Can I use maple syrup instead of molasses?
Could definitely try! I haven’t tried that sub myself. It’ll probably be a bit sweeter, so you might use half the amount.
This sounds delicious, Mel, has all the ingredients that my family would love. My question, do you think it would work in a grill pan? I would love to try it, but grill is out of the question.
Yes, I think so!
This is my new best favorite recipe!!! I followed the recipe exactly as given and it turned out perfect!
Thanks, Steve!!
Made this chicken yesterday and ate in all by itself, with guacamole and chips on the side. Delicious!! Going to put the leftovers into quesadillas for supper tonight.
So glad you loved it, Jenn! Thank you!
Wait…Costco sells THIN chicken breast? What is it called? I hate the thick ones, but that’s all I buy!
Hey Christine – I buy them in the freezer section (they are in a large bag and say “thin-sliced” on them. Brand is Foster Farms. They really aren’t any different than cutting thick chicken breasts in half yourself, but I like the convenience!
For chili sauce, does Sweet chili sauce work? I’m not familiar with most.
I haven’t tried it, but I think sweet Thai chili sauce would be quite yummy in this recipe.
Yay! I’m glad you love this recipe as much as we do! I’m especially glad I was able to share a recipe with you since you have shared so many with us over the years!
Thanks, Shannon!!
Mel, I am totally a grill fan! Even in NJ I started grilling again over a month ago. We had a few warmer days in February and even though we have had cold & snow since I have been grilling at least once a week. (Yes, even in my Uggs & “parka”). Thanks for sharing I have been looking for a good chicken recipe to grill. Looking forward to trying it soon. I may have to wait a few days as they are calling for 1-4 inches of snow .
Love this, Marisa!
What kind of cheese is best? This looks right up our alley of awesome grilled foods. It’s starting to warm up here!!
Hey Nicole! When we make quesadillas or wraps out of this, we usually use pepper jack or Monterey Jack (or a Mexican cheese blend)
For us local peeps what is the brand of chili sauce you use and where do you buy it?
Hey Trish, I found the local, homemade-looking one at Ridleys next to the other chili sauces. I can’t remember the brand, but you’ll spot it right away. It looks like my grandma canned it. 🙂
I like to take a can of chipotle in adobo and put into ninja cup to process . Then take and put one tablespoon onto plastic wrap and freeze individually (placing into another plastic bag) when I need it I just have to pull out one or two packets and never waste the entire can as I used to . I do this with tomato paste too .
Love the recipe and thanks so much for all your hard work and effort to make cooking fun for all your followers.
Great tip, thanks, Jan!
This looks amazing! Since we live in the same area… what brand is the local chili sauce you like? I’m excited to try this!!
Hey Janay – I can’t remember the brand for the life of me, but I find it at Ridleys next to the other chili sauce brands. It’s in a cute little canning jar with a paper sticky label.
How did you know…have two chicken breast that I was just going to grill today.
But now I’m going to rock their socks off with this, even have all the ingredients.
The moon and stars have aligned…love that you you love us too. Plan to use my little
Indoor grill as it’s 13 degrees today.
Hope you love it, Lynne!
I love grilled foods, but I don’t know how to cook them. We have a very nice grill. Could you suggest how you grill your chicken breasts (I see you like to grill them thin)? I think I could cook a lot more healthier, delicious foods if I could tackle this grill we have. Occasionally in the past, my husband has grilled our food, but his job is super busy and really I’d like to learn. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, I’d love a post by you on all sorts of grilled foods including burgers, etc. 🙂
Hey Laura – maybe I’ll try and get a grilling how-to post up, because I agree, it’s nice to feel confident using a grill! I have a pellet grill, and it’s super easy to turn on, heat up, and then I literally put the chicken on, flip it once, take the temp, and then take it off. Do you have a propane grill?
Thanks for asking. It’s a stainless steel natural gas grill. It’s a very nice one which came with our home when we purchased it.
Have you ever tried the Heinz brand chili sauce? I’m guessing this is not a sweet Thai Chili sauce recipe?
I have used the Heinz brand a time or two in the past, and I think it would be fine here. This recipe isn’t written for the sweet Thai chili sauce, but to be honest, I think it would be an amazing substitution. I might have to try that next time!
Hi! Love your recipes. I have a question about molasses. Is there a particular kind you use in this recipe. Are there different kinds? Thank you.
Hi Faith, I use unsulphured molasses. I’ll put that in the ingredients list. There are different kinds of molasses, but unsulphured is the most common type (it’s the one I use in all my baking/cooking). I buy the Grandma’s brand in the jar with the yellow label and lid.
Your chicken recipe looks good but I can’t eat anything with molasses (and possibly brown sugar). Is there a way of modifying the sauce?
You could try leaving it out…I haven’t tried that, so I don’t know how it would affect flavor.