Chipotle Honey Chicken Recipe: Spice up your dinner with this delicious Chipotle Honey Chicken recipe! A perfect blend of smoky chipotle peppers, sweet honey, and aromatic spices, this dish delivers bold flavors with a tantalizing glaze. Easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight meals or special gatherings, this recipe is a must-try for any chicken lover.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier meat)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Chipotle Honey Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from the chipotle can)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Garnishing (Optional):
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Extra honey drizzle
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps achieve a beautiful sear.
- In a small bowl, mix the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). If using thighs, they may need a couple of extra minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Chipotle Honey Glaze
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add unsalted butter.
- Once the butter melts, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Glaze the Chicken
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the glaze over the top.
- Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes, basting the chicken with the sauce to ensure full flavor absorption.
- Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
- Drizzle extra honey over the top if desired.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.
- Enjoy with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad!
Conclusion
Chipotle Honey Chicken is a dish that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, offering a bold and satisfying flavor experience. The smoky chipotle peppers, rich honey glaze, and aromatic spices make this a dish that stands out on any table. Whether you serve it for a family dinner, meal prep, or a special occasion, this recipe is bound to impress.
You can customize the heat level by adjusting the chipotle peppers or add a touch more honey for extra sweetness. Pair it with a side of fluffy rice, charred corn, or a simple avocado salad for a well-rounded meal.
With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, Chipotle Honey Chicken is the perfect go-to dish for busy nights and indulgent weekend meals. Give it a try, and let this recipe become a new favorite in your household!
FAQs:
Is the Chipotle Honey Chicken spicy?
It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, providing a different, smokier kick than al pastor. Chipotle Honey Chicken isn’t just straight heat, it’s spice with a defined flavor—plus, the honey offers the ideal balance without being overly sweet.
What goes well with honey chipotle chicken?
What to Serve with Honey Chipotle Chicken. I served my honey chipotle chicken with my favorite bean salad, Cowboy Caviar, and some rice, but you’ve got lots of options here! You could whip up a simple Avocado and Tomato Salad, Sweet Corn Salsa, or maybe some Cucumber and Black Bean Salad.
What does honey chipotle taste like?
It’s seasoned with a blend of Mexican spices before being tossed on the grill. When the chicken is almost fully cooked, it’s drizzled with wildflower honey, which caramelizes slightly over the hot flames, balancing all that peppery heat with a touch of sweetness.
What does chipotle chicken taste like?
What does Chipotle chicken taste like? Chipotle chicken is smoky, spicy and a bit tangy from the lime juice. The chipotle pepper is complemented by the warm, earthy, slightly bitter citrus notes of cumin, smoky sweetness from the smoked paprika and aromatic garlic and onion powders.
Why is chipotle chicken so spicy?
To prep our grilled chicken, we marinate it overnight in our smoky, spicy chipotle pepper adobo, and then grill it until it’s perfectly charred with a subtle caramelized flavor.
What is the new chicken flavor at chipotle?
To develop Chipotle’s new chicken menu innovation, its culinary team created a bold new take on hot honey made only with real ingredients. Chipotle Honey Chicken is marinated with seared, smoked adobo (chipotle) peppers, seasoned with savory Mexican spices, and finished with a touch of pure honey.
How to make Chipotle Honey Chicken?
Preparation
- Combine the chicken, honey, onion and garlic powders, cumin, salt and chipotle chiles and adobo sauce in a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Stir well. Cook for at least 3 hours and up to 5 hours on low. …
- Using two forks, coarsely shred the chicken in the sauce. Stir in the black beans and lime juice.
