What is in Chipotle's honey chicken?

Chipotle’s honey chicken usually features grilled chicken marinated in a blend of chipotle peppers in adobo, honey, vinegar, garlic, and a mix of bold spices. It’s smoky, sweet, and a little spicy, just like this homemade chipotle honey chicken recipe.

How to make honey and chipotle marinade?

Mix chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with honey, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Adjust the heat level by using more or fewer peppers, depending on your preference. This simple marinade is the base of any great chipotle honey chicken copycat recipe.

What is the marinade for Chipotle chicken?

Chipotle’s standard chicken marinade often uses chipotle peppers, vinegar, garlic, cumin, and oregano. To give it a sweet twist, honey is added to create a chipotle honey chicken recipe variation.

What is in honey chipotle sauce?

It’s a bold mix of chipotle peppers in adobo, honey, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, and sometimes tomato paste or vinegar. The sauce balances smoky heat and natural sweetness for that signature chipotle hot honey chicken flavor.

Does Chili's sell their honey chipotle sauce?

Chili’s doesn’t officially sell their honey chipotle sauce, but you can recreate it at home with similar ingredients. This chipotle honey chicken recipe delivers a flavor that’s very close, maybe even better!

What cheese does Chipotle use?

Chipotle uses a blend of Monterey Jack and white cheddar cheese, perfect toppings if you're turning your honey chipotle chicken into tacos or burrito bowls.

Chipotle Honey Chicken Recipe That’s Better Than Takeout

Ingredients

Scale

1½ lbs boneless chicken thighs

2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo

1/4 cup honey

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Blend marinade ingredients until smooth

2. Pour over chicken and marinate 2–12 hours

3. Bring chicken to room temperature

4. Grill, sear, or bake until internal temp is 165°F

5. Baste with reserved marinade during last 2 mins

6. Let rest 5 mins before slicing

Notes

Use thighs for best flavor and juiciness

Double the marinade for basting or sauce

Oven: 400°F for 25 mins or grill for char

Author: Ellie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Chicken
Method: Grill or Skillet
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 340
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 580mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: chipotle honey chicken recipe, chipotle hot honey chicken, copycat Chipotle chicken, sweet spicy chicken

Chipotle Honey Chicken Recipe 2025

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Log In