Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken
This Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken is my new obsession! Tender & juicy chicken marinated in a sweet & spicy chipotle honey sauce. It’s the perfect balance of oooh! and OOOH! This sweet and smoky chicken tastes just like Chipotle’s limited-time favorite and is even better piled into burrito bowls at home. Finish it with a drizzle of honey for that extra touch of delicious!
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What Is Chipotle Honey Chicken?
Chipotle Honey Chicken is a limited-time Chipotle menu item made with juicy chicken thighs marinated in a smoky chipotle pepper sauce with honey, lime and spices. The sweet heat balance makes it one of Chipotle’s most popular limited-time chicken flavors and it’s perfect for burrito bowls, tacos and salads.
🔍 COPYCAT SECRETS UNCOVERED!
Don’t miss these tips to be sure your chipotle honey chicken tastes like real Chipotle honey-chipotle chicken – these are the keys to perfection:
- Chipotle Sauce – so this is different than the chipotle PEPPERS in adobo sauce – it’s in the same style of a small can – but it’s just sauce.
- You can use the peppers and blend them to get sauce – but the sauce is easier to use!
- Marinate your chicken overnight or more! This gets that chipotle flavor deep in the meat!
- Don’t skimp on the honey – that’s what gives it the sweet/spicy balance!
- Chicken Thighs – this is why Chipotle chicken is so juicy because they’re using chicken thighs which are more tender than chicken breast
- TIP: Be sure to chop the chicken after you cook it! This ensures the chicken stays juicy while cooking.
- Caraway Fry Pan – High heat is what gives the chicken a hint of a char just like Chipotle.
- Turn your stove up so the pan is HOT – I love this pan because the honey won’t stick.
- You can also use a Blackstone because it gets so hot and is similar to the restaurant cooktop.
Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken Ingredients
Chipotle Honey Chicken is a limited time Chipotle menu offering and I waited and waited for it to come back! It was soooo much better than the original chicken! Now – I never have to wait – I can have it at home any time I want!
- Chicken Thighs – this is a staple if you’re making a Chipotle honey chicken recipe – that’s why the chicken is so good – cuz it’s chicken thighs which are juicier and more tender than chicken breast
- Chipotle Sauce – these small cans pack a punch and are perfect for this recipe. Be sure you’re using these cans vs. a Chipotle hot sauce
- Spices – garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper
- Liquids – honey, lime, oil
How to build your own Chipotle Bowl
Ok – everybody has their standard Chipotle order! Mine is a bowl with white rice, black beans, mild salsa with a bit of corn, peppers & onions, a little lettuce & either guacamole or sour cream. For the protein – I get either the chipotle honey chicken or carnitas. What’s your order? Here are the options:
- Rice – white rice or brown rice – here’s my recipe for Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice
- Beans – black beans or pinto beans – here’s my recipe for Chipotle’s Black Beans
- Salsa – Mild, Corn, Hot – here’s my recipe for Chipotle’s Corn Salsa and a great restaurant-style mild salsa
- Veggies – sauteed green peppers & red onions, shredded lettuce
- Toppings – sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole, cilantro lime sauce, queso
- Check out the Cilantro Lime sauce in these Longhorn Firecracker Chicken Wraps – it’s amazing!
- I’m not a big fan of the Chipotle Queso – this is my favorite queso!
How to make Copycat Chipotle Honey Chicken
This Chipotle Honey Chicken recipe is easy to make! You will need to prep because it needs to marinate overnight for the full flavor. I actually marinated mine for 2 days because I got busy. When you’re ready to cook – it takes just 10 minutes!
- In a bowl or ziploc bag, add all ingredients other than chicken thighs. Seal and mix together.
- Add chicken into marinade and seal.
- Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- Heat a large skillet over high heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Add chicken thighs and lower to medium high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until temp is 175º
- Dark meat can cook to a higher temp and not dry out – it will actually make it more tender
- Chop cooked chicken and drizzle with honey. Serve in burritos, quesadillas or bowls.
🧰 Tools That Help You Get That Chipotle Flavor
- Caraway Fry Pan – this pan takes nonstick to another level which is helpful whenever cooking with honey
- Mixing Bowl with Sealed Lid – this helps because that chipotle sauce is strong and the smell can seep out into your fridge if it’s not sealed
- Instant Read Thermometer – this helps ensure your chicken is the perfect temperature!
- Citrus Juicer – one of these is essential for any Mexican recipe! I love lime juice!
Tips Tricks & FAQs
More Chipotle Recipes
More Chicken Bowl Recipes
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Chipotle Honey Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 8 oz chipotle sauce
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 lime juiced
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl or ziploc bag, add all ingredients other than chicken thighs. Seal and mix together.8 oz chipotle sauce, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp cumin, 1 lime, 2 tsp coarse sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- Add chicken and seal.2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- Sear chicken thighs over medium high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until temp is 175º
- Dark meat can cook to a higher temp and not dry out – it will actually make it more tender
- Chop chicken and drizzle with honey. Serve in burritos or bowls.
