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Sliced chipotle chicken thighs with smoky marinade coating and fresh cilantro garnish

Chipotle Chicken Thighs

Chipotle chicken thighs are a flavorful, tender chicken dish with a smoky, spicy marinade and juicy texture. This easy recipe is a great choice for weeknight meals when you want bold flavor with simple preparation.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce
  • 2-3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Cooking
  • Cooking oil spray or oil for cooking surface

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Dry the boneless, skinless chicken thighs with paper towels to help the marinade adhere evenly.
  2. Mix chipotle in adobo sauce, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional honey in a bowl until combined.
  3. Cover the chicken thighs with the marinade and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and no more than 8 hours.
Cooking
  1. For skillet cooking, warm a skillet over medium-high heat, add cooking oil, and cook the marinated chicken thighs for about 6 minutes per side.
  2. For grilling, heat and oil the grill grates, then cook the marinated chicken thighs for 6-8 minutes per side.
  3. For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C), cook the chicken thighs for 14-15 minutes, and turn them halfway through.
  4. Use a meat thermometer to check the chicken and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Allow the cooked chicken thighs to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Serving
  1. Slice the chicken across the grain and serve in tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or other dishes.

Notes

Marinate the chicken during the recommended 2-8 hour window to help maintain the best texture.