This Grilled Chipotle Chicken recipe is simple, lean, and has a delicious sweet and savory flavor. A perfect recipe for meal prepping that can be ready in less than 30 minutes with these step-by-step instructions!
These grilled chicken thighs are marinated in a delicious sweet and smoky sauce to create an amazing flavor combination. This recipe is a high protein, low calorie chicken thigh recipe that combines well with numerous side dishes.
This is a great meal prepping recipe. You can easily prepare this recipe ahead of time, then store in the refrigerator for a few days or up to 3 months in the freezer. This recipe provides 4 servings, but if you’re prepping for several meals or cooking for a larger gathering you can easily double or triple this recipe without issue. Even better, this recipe will only take you about 25 minutes to prepare!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- HIGH PROTEIN – This is a flavor-packed lean chicken thigh recipe. This is a high protein, low calorie, and low-carb chicken recipe that pairs well with an endless amount of side dish options. We’ve listed some of our recommendations at the bottom of the page.
- SIMPLE – This recipe only requires a handful of ingredients and can be ready in less than 30 minutes. You could easily adjust the seasonings for your own preferences, making it super versatile and great for beginners.
- GREAT MEAL PREPPING RECIPE – This is an excellent recipe choice to make ahead of time. It pairs well with numerous vegetables or other side dishes and can even be frozen for up to 3 months!
Ingredients Overview
Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need for this recipe. For exact measurements, keep scrolling down to the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken thighs (boneless/skinless): Chicken thighs stay juicy and are less likely to overcook than chicken breasts. You can use other cuts of meat (including bone-in cuts) but the cooking time may need to be adjusted.
- Avocado oil: any neutral oil will work but we love the flavor of avocado oil with this recipe
- Chipotle chilies: Helps create the delicious chipotle flavor
- Adobo sauce: This sauce provides a smoky and mildly spicy flavor. Adobo sauce is the sauce canned chipotles come in.
- Sugar-Free Maple Syrup: An essential ingredient to really create the perfect flavor
- Spices: garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt
- Lime: Use for the lime zest and juice
How to Make Grilled Chipotle Chicken
This recipe only requires a few simple steps . Here is a quick step-by-step guide to walk you through this grilled chicken recipe.
Marinate the chicken
Add all the marinade ingredients to a shallow bowl or ziplock bag and stir to combine. Next, add the chicken and marinate for 4-8 hours in the refrigerator.
Grill the chicken
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook chicken for 10 minutes, then flip and grill another 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees. Remove the chicken from the grill and allow to rest for about 5 minutes. Then slice and serve!
What to Serve With Grilled Chipotle Chicken
This delicious cookout recipe goes great with easy summer favorites like Cauliflower Salad or Grilled Mozzarella Zucchini Wraps. The spicy chicken would add tons of flavor to this Grilled Zucchini Salad or work well with classic Mashed Cauliflower. Add some Keto Dinner Rolls and a fun sugar-free cocktail like Spicy Watermelon Margarita or Michelada to round out the whole meal. For a quick lunch, serve it on chaffles for a grilled chicken sandwich!
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: After allowing to cool completely, place leftover chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer Storage: You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. Allow to cool completely prior to putting in the freezer.
Reheating Instructions
Thighs are the juiciest cut of chicken so we love being able to reheat them without drying them out. Here are some tips for not drying out the chicken as it warms up:
- Oven – Place the chicken in a baking dish. Then add about 1 teaspoon of water per thigh. Cover with foil or a tight lid, then reheat at 350 degrees. Warming time will depend on the number of thighs you’re reheating at once. If you don’t have a baking dish, wrap your chicken thighs in foil and reheat.
- Stove – Add just enough water to a skillet that it barely covers the bottom. Then add the chicken thighs. Simmer on low, gently and occasionally stirring or flipping to evenly reheat all pieces.
- Microwave – Reheat at 50% power in 45-second increments. Using full power will likely overcook some spots while leaving other spots cold. Adding a teaspoon of water per thigh to the plate will help further ensure the chicken is moist.
- Air Fryer –Our preferred reheating method for ease and effectiveness! Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes. Then add chicken thighs. Make sure they are not touching, then spray with oil. Reheat for about 2-3 minutes or until your desired level.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs chicken thighs boneless/skinless
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 2 canned chipotle chilies chopped
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce from the can of chipotles
- 1 tbsp sugar free maple syrup
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- Zest and juice from 1 lime
Instructions
- Add all the marinade ingredients to a shallow bowl or ziplock bag and stir to combine.
- Add the chicken and marinate for 4-8 hours in the fridge.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook chicken for 10 minutes, then flip and grill another 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees. Remove the chicken from the grill and allow to rest for about 5 minutes.
- Slice and serve!
Notes
- Marinating is not totally required but it yields much more flavorful chicken!
- Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Use on the burrito bowls, tacos, taco salad, in wraps, or just eat it with a side of cauliflower rice.
- Each servings has 2.4 net carbs.
Nutrition
Grilled Chipotle Chicken FAQ
Yes, this recipe is gluten free if prepared as described.
Absolutely. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or 3 months in the freezer. See more detailed information on storage above.
The “heat” level of this recipe is mild to moderate.
No, but we highly recommend it for the best flavor and texture of the meat. We believe 4-8 hours is the perfect amount of time for the meat to soak up the chicken without causing a mushy texture.
Yes, however, this will affect cooking time. Larger and bone-in cuts will take longer while smaller cuts like tenderloins will be ready sooner. This marinade would be delicious on steak, shrimp, or pork chops, too.
