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Homemade Chipotle Chicken Tacos made with an incredible marinade that is sweet, tangy, and perfectly smokey. The perfect recipe for taco night or meal prep!
Taco night is hands down one of my favorite weeknight dinners! Chipotle Chicken Tacos is the perfect taco recipe to add to your rotation. This recipe is the perfect blend of smokey and sweet especially when you pair it with a Pineapple Salsa! This will give you chipotle tacos with an al pastor flavor that is irresistible!
The marinade to this recipe is aruable the most important element to this dish. Chipotle chicken is bold in flavor and you can easily customize the spice level to your liking. For this marinade you’ll need:
- Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
- Agave Nectar
- Cumin
- Lime Juice
- Kosher Salt
- Olive Oil
This chipotle marinade is extremely easy to make! Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, simply add them to your blender and blend until smooth. Give it a quick taste test and adjust the marinade for sweetness and spiciness.
When it comes to chipotle chicken, I personally love grilling the chicken over high heat. The marinade instantly comes alive. The sugar caramelizes helping balance out the smokiness of the chipotles in adobo sauce. However, if grilling is not an option, you can cook the chicken in other ways
Indoor Ninja Smokeless Grill: This indoor grill is the MVP of my kitchen! Not only does it come with a grill pan, it also comes with a flat top grill / plancha top. It’s perfect for making Shrimp Fajitas and even Cuban Pollo A La Plancha!
Cast Iron Griddle: This versatile grill pan is a great kitchen addition that you can use year round. This is one of my go-to pans when making Dominican Chimis (Dominican Style Burgers)
Non Stick Ceramic Grill Pan: If you want something that’s easier to clean and requires less maintenance than a cast iron pan, this is definitely the way to go!
Air Fryer: The best of all worlds combined! The Chipotle Chicken comes out crispy, tender, and juicy. Just check out my Peruvian Air Fryer Chicken or Cuban Mojo Air Fryer Chicken for proof!
These tacos are great on their own. However, if you want to jazz up your dinner or impress your guests, I recommend these pairings!
- Pineapple Salsa: Fresh, vibrant, and gives these tacos an al pastor flavor!
- Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde): Garlicky, fresh, and creamy. You can use this sauce on anything and everything!
- Spicy Margaritas: Perfectly spicy, festive, and refreshing. It’s my mom’s favorite for a reason!
- Tres Leches Parfait: Easy, no-bake, and quick. The perfect modern twist on a traditional classic. Make it ahead of time for the perfect sweet treat.
You can use chicken breast or boneless-skinless chicken thighs to make chipotle chicken. For the best results (and even economical), I would highly suggest using boneless-skinless chicken thighs. These have much more flavor and remain juicy once you cook them.
Absolutely! This chipotle marinade is bold in flavor. Let it do its magic by letting the chicken marinade for at least an hour. For best results, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. You won’t regret it!
This recipe will last up to 4 days if stored in an air-tight container in the fridge.
My favorite salsa to enjoy with these tacos is Pineapple Salsa. The pineapple balances perfectly with the smokey chipotle marinade. However, you can also use Salsa Verde or Pico de Gallo. For even more balance, you can also use a creamy salsa or sour cream. Another favorite salsa of mine to pair with this dish is a Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde Sauce)!
Try These Recipes Next!
Why stop at Chipotle Chicken Tacos when you can also enjoy other tasty and easy to make recipes! If you love these flavors, then you’ll also love Chicken Fajitas, Flank Steak Fajitas, Yellow Spanish Rice, Crispy Pork Carnitas, Cuban Black Beans, and The Creamiest Classic Flan!
Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Chipotle Chicken Tacos with a homemade chipotle marinade that’s smokey, spicy, and perfectly sweet!
- Total Time50 Minutes
- Yield5 Servings 1x
- DietDairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
- 6 Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 Small White Onion
- 2 tablespoons Agave Nectar
- 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 Lime
- 1/4 Cumin
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Pineapple Salsa
- 2 cups Diced Pineapples (fresh or canned)
- 1 Serrano Pepper - minced *can use Jalapeños instead
- 2 tablespoons Cilantro - minced
- 1 tablespoon Agave Nectar
- 1/2 Lime
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
Tacos
- Corn Tortillas
Instructions
Marinade
- Add chipotles in adobo sauce, garlic, onions, agave nectar, kosher salt, lime juice, cumin, and olive oil into a blender. Mix until smooth. Then add marinade to boneless chicken thighs and mix until well combined.
- Cover chicken and let marinate for at least an hour. For best results, marinate chicken over night
Grilling
- Heat grill over high heat (400°F), then place chicken on the grill. Cook each side for 5 minutes or until internal temperature has reached 165°F. Afterwards, remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes while you prepare the pineapple salsa.
- Dice chipotle chicken into 1-inch pieces and set aside
Pineapple Salsa
- Dice fresh pineapples and mix together with minced serrano peppers, cilantro, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, and kosher salt. Mix until well combined. Chill in the fridge once you’re ready to enjoy
Tacos
- Char corn tortillas on the grill or stove. Then add diced chicken, pineapple salsa, and any cheese that you may like. Enjoy with fresh lime
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least an hour for best results.
- Marinate also works great on other proteins such as pork, fish, and beef.
- Pineapple salsa can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge
- For milder spice level, substitute serrano peppers for jalapeños
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Latin, Mexican