Description
This Copycat Chipotle Chicken recipe delivers flavorful, tender chicken thighs marinated in a smoky blend of spices and adobo sauce, cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Ideal for tacos, burritos, or salads, it’s a quick and easy way to enjoy restaurant-style chicken at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large ziptop bag, combine olive oil, adobo sauce, chili powder, onion powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and chicken broth. Stir or smoosh the bag to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the bag, seal it tightly, and massage the marinade into the chicken until all pieces are well coated.
- Rest the chicken: Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve: Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and use as a flavorful filling for tacos, burritos, or toss on top of salads.
Notes
- Use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for authentic smoky flavor; only the sauce is needed for this recipe, but save the peppers for another dish as they are quite spicy.
- Chicken breasts can be used as a substitute for thighs; pound them to even thickness for consistent cooking results.
- Marinating for longer enhances flavor but do not exceed 12 hours as the acidity can start to break down the meat texture.
- Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow even cooking and browning of the chicken.
Nutrition
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
