Chipotle Chicken Asado Marinade Recipe (Copycat)

This Chipotle Chicken Asado recipe is a wonderful copycat recipe!  The pollo asado marinade has a deep smoky flavor from the peppers with a slight sweetness from the adobo sauce and the lime juice helps round out all of the flavors.  It’s delicious and comes together fast, which makes it perfect for easy weeknight meals!

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If you’re a fan of Chipotle Mexican Grill, you’re going to be obsessed with this copycat recipe that uses simple ingredients at a more affordable cost! This flavorful chicken can be used in a variety of ways such as burritos, tacos, quesadillas, on salads, or served as a burrito bowl with rice and beans.

Plus, this marinated chicken is perfect for meal prep if you like to plan out your lunches or dinners ahead of time. Your whole family will love this delicious chicken recipe! Scroll to the bottom of the post for the recipe card, and happy cooking!

The Players for Chipotle Chicken Asado Recipe

Ingredients:

• Chipotle Peppers – You’ll need 2-3 chipotle peppers that are canned in the adobo sauce for this pollo asado recipe.  If you like extra heat, feel free to use more, but I would recommend using at least 2 peppers for this recipe.
• Adobo Sauce – For our marinade recipe, you’ll need 2-4 tablespoons of the adobo sauce.  
• Onion – A yellow, brown, or white onion is needed for our marinade mixture.
• Garlic – Four cloves of smashed garlic is one of our marinade ingredients.
• Canola Oil – For the marinade you’ll need some canola oil.  You can also use vegetable oil or olive oil if you prefer.
• Lime – You’ll need the juice of 1 lime.  Alternatively, you can also use fresh lemon juice or fresh orange juice but it might alter the taste a bit.
• Chili Powder – You’ll need some chili powder for this recipe.  If you love heat, you might want to use Chipotle Chili Pepper Powder instead!
• Cumin – Ground cumin adds a warm, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor to the mix.
• Oregano – Using regular or Mexican oregano gives a slightly bitter and aromatic note.
• Salt & Pepper – Use salt and black pepper to taste.
• Chicken – For extra juicy chicken, I’ll be using bone-in chicken thighs (that I’ve skinned and removed bone from), but you can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts or even chicken drumsticks!
• Cilantro – This ingredient is optional, but sprinkling fresh cilantro over the cooked chicken brings a lovely freshness to the dish.

Tools:

• Skillet – For best results, a large skillet or grill pan that is smoking hot is needed to cook the chicken.
• Food Processor – A food processor or a blender is needed to puree our Chipotle pollo asado marinade.

How to make Chipotle Chicken Asado Marinade

In a food processor or blender, add all of the marinade ingredients together: chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, onion, garlic, oil, lime juice, Mexican spices, salt, and black pepper.  Blend until it is a smooth puree. 

In a freezer bag or glass bowl, add your boneless skinless chicken thighs and pour the chipotle-based marinade over the chicken.  Mix well with your hands or a spoon to ensure that the chicken is fully coated in the marinade.

Marinate the Chicken Thighs

Zip up your plastic bag or cover your bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. Allow the chicken to be marinated for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 12 hours. Be sure to massage the bag or stir the chicken in the bowl every once in a while.

About 20 minutes before you begin cooking your chicken, take your marinating chicken out of the fridge and place it on the counter so that it comes to room temperature before cooking. 

Heat your large frying pan or grill pan over medium-high heat for a few minutes and add in some oil to warm. 

Remove the chicken from your bowl or bag and sear chicken on one side without moving for 5-6 minutes.  Flip the chicken over and begin cooking the other side for 7-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. 

​Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.  Take a sharp knife and begin to cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces or cubes. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and fresh squeezed lime juice over the top, if desired. Serve with warm tortillas and enjoy!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Place any leftover chipotle chicken asado in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Leftover chipotle chicken asado can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

​To reheat chipotle pollo asada, place it into a microwavable-safe bowl and reheat at 50% power for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

What are Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce?

Chipotle peppers are dried and smoked jalapeño peppers submerged in a flavorful sauce consisting of tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, onions, and spices. While the chipotle peppers themselves deliver some heat, the sauce off-sets that bringing a tangy sweetness, making this a popular ingredient in Mexican and Southwestern Cusine. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less of the peppers and sauce to according to your personal preferences.

Where can I find Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce?

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are widely available in many grocery stores and supermarkets, both in-store and online, and are very affordable. I have seen the cans at Walmart, Target, WinCo, Mexican markets, and on Amazon.

How long can I marinate the chicken?

I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes (if short on time, 2 hours would be ideal!) but no more than 12 hours due to the lime juice.  When you add an acidic element to a marinade, in this case, lime juice, it begins to tenderize your chicken.  If you allow it to sit too long in the refrigerator, the chicken can be over-tenderized and can turn mushy.

Also note, always use a non-reactive container, such as glass or plastic, for marinating with acidic ingredients. Stainless steel or aluminum bowls or containers can react with the acid and affect the taste of the food. 

Additional Toppings

Chipotle chicken asado is a flavorful dish with tender chicken that you can enhance with various toppings. Here are some additional toppings ideas:

1. Fresh Salsa:
   • Diced tomatoes
   • Red onion
   • Cilantro
   • Lime juice
   • Salt and pepper
2. Guacamole:
   • Ripe avocados
   • Diced tomatoes
   • Red onion
   • Lime juice
   • Salt and pepper
3. Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:
   • Adds creaminess to balance the spiciness of chipotle.
4. Shredded Cheese:
   • Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
5. Pickled Jalapeños:
   • Adds heat and a tangy kick.
6. Shredded Lettuce:
   • Provides a cool, crisp contrast.
7. Pico de Gallo:
   • A fresh mix of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.
8. Radishes:
   • Sliced radishes add a crunchy texture.
9. Cabbage Slaw:
   • A simple slaw with shredded cabbage, lime juice, and a touch of salt.
10. Cilantro-Lime Rice:
    • A flavorful rice preparation with fresh cilantro and lime zest.
11. Black Beans or Refried Beans:
    • A hearty addition for extra protein and texture.
12. Chopped Green Onions:
    • Adds a mild onion flavor.
13. Corn Salsa:
    • Corn kernels, diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice.
14. Mango Salsa:
    • Diced mango, red onion, cilantro, lime juice.

Pin it for Later!

If you end up making this Chipotle Chicken Asado Recipe, leave me a comment telling me how you served it. I would love to chat with you!

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