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Honey Chipotle Chicken Recipe

4.7 from 84 reviews

Honey Chipotle Chicken is a flavorful and spicy dish featuring marinated boneless, skinless chicken thighs coated in a smoky chipotle and sweet honey glaze. This skillet-cooked recipe is quick, juicy, and perfect for a weeknight dinner, garnished with fresh green onions for added freshness and crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

  • 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (about ¼ cup)
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 1 lime, juiced (about 2 Tbsp)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced (about ½ Tbsp)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil (for marinade)

Chicken and Cooking

  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (850g)
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil (for cooking)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep: Gather all ingredients and prepare them by mincing the chipotle peppers and garlic, juicing the lime, and slicing the green onions.
  2. Make the marinade: In a bowl, combine the minced chipotle peppers, honey, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to create the marinade.
  3. Toss the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Toss the chicken well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated in the marinade.
  4. Marinate: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes. For marinating longer than one hour, refrigerate the chicken to keep it safe and fresh.
  5. Heat the skillet: When ready to cook, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and swirl it to coat the pan evenly.
  6. Cook the chicken: Add the marinated chicken to the hot skillet. Cook on one side until the moisture released evaporates, the marinade thickens into a glaze, and the chicken is nicely browned. Flip the chicken and cook the other side until browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).
  7. Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken to plates and top with sliced green onions for a fresh finish. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for best flavor, but no more than 24 hours.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers based on your preferred spice level.
  • The glaze will thicken as the marinade reduces during cooking, giving the chicken a nice sticky coating.
  • Pair this chicken with rice, tortillas, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: Honey Chipotle Chicken, spicy chicken, marinated chicken thighs, quick chicken recipe, skillet chicken, smoky chicken