Copycat Chipotle Chicken
RECIPES

Copycat Chipotle Chicken

Recreate your favorite Chipotle-style meals at home with this copycat Chipotle chicken recipe—it’s flavorful, easy to make, and tastes just like the real thing.

Ready IN
40 mins
Servings
6
Save
By Jennifer Segal
Updated:
View the print-ready version of this recipe.
This is my copycat version of the chicken from Chipotle—and it couldn’t be easier. There’s no marinating required; just rub the chicken with a bold, smoky spice blend and bake it in a hot oven. Like the chicken at Chipotle, it’s not meant to be served on its own—it’s more of a flavorful base for all your favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex meals. Slice it up and serve it in tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or whatever you’re craving.
My favorite way to serve it is over greens with fresh corn salsa, a scoop of guacamole, and a drizzle of my Chipotle-honey vinaigrette (another great copycat!). It’s basically my go-to Chipotle order, recreated at home. Leftovers are great too—top with some Monterey Jack and microwave until melty, or tuck it into a quesadilla for a quick and tasty lunch.

What You’ll Need To Make Copycat Chipotle Chicken

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Vegetable oil: Helps the spice mix stick and gets the outside nicely browned as it cooks.

Spice blend (chipotle chile powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder): This combo brings smoky heat, warm spice, and a hint of earthiness—everything you need for that signature Chipotle-style flavor. Heads up: chipotle powder is pretty spicy. For less heat, use 1 teaspoon or swap in ancho chile powder for a milder take.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Stay super juicy and flavorful, even with high heat. Prefer white meat? Chicken tenderloins work too—just reduce the cook time (20 to 25 minutes in the oven, or 3 to 4 minutes per side on the grill). You might also want to dial back the chile powder, since leaner meat tends to carry heat a bit more.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1. Make the spice rub. In a large bowl, mix the oil, salt, chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
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Step 2. Coat the chicken. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Step 3. Prepare chicken for cooking. Arrange the chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet for easy clean-up.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Step 4. Cook the chicken. In a preheated 425 degrees F oven, roast the chicken for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping halfway through. The high oven temperature helps create a slightly charred exterior, similar to what you’d get from grilling. One of the benefits of chicken thighs is that they are pretty forgiving and stay juicy even if slightly overcooked, so don’t worry if they go a few minutes over.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Step 5: Slice the chicken. Let the cooked chicken rest until it’s cool enough to handle, then use a sharp knife to cut into chunks or slices.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Step 6: Serve. The chicken is wonderful in tacos, burritos, rice bowls, salads—whatever you like! It also keeps well for meal prep: store it sliced in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and use it to build easy lunches and dinners throughout the week. Enjoy!

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal
This article was originally published on OnceUponaChef.com. Follow on Instagram
Copycat Chipotle Chicken
Jennifer Segal
Time
40 mins
(Prep 10 minsCook 30 mins)
Servings
6
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or alternative
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder (see note)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tea dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 pounds (about 8) boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat
Instructions
STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
STEP 2
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, oil, salt, chile powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
STEP 3
Place the seasoned chicken on the prepared baking sheet and cook for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).
STEP 4
Slice the chicken and serve in tacos, rice bowls, burritos, salads, or however you like.
Notes
This chicken has a little kick to it. If you'd like to make it less spicy, use ancho chile pepper instead of chipotle chile pepper.
The chicken at Chipotle is made with chicken thighs. If you'd prefer to use white meat, I recommend chicken tenderloins. The cook time will be shorter (20 to 25 minutes in the oven or 3 to 4 minutes per side on the grill). The chicken will also be spicier due to the leaner meat, so consider reducing the chile powder to 1 teaspoon.
If you'd prefer to grill the chicken, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grease the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until it is fully cooked and has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Make-ahead Instructions: The chicken can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Once cool, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then reheat in the microwave before serving.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note: To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are.
Nutrition
Calories: 251kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 142mg, Sodium: 372mg
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Jennifer Segal
Jennifer Segal
Author
Jennifer is a classically trained chef, Cookbook author, and busy mom. She became interested in cooking in college while studying abroad in France and living with a French family. She is a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine. Visit OnceUponaChef.com.
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