Easy Chipotle Chicken the Healthy Way
Let’s make easy chipotle chicken the healthy way. This chipotle spiced chicken recipe is easy because we are going to utilize a spice mix we have already created, and it’s healthy because we are going to use chicken breast which is lean and full of protein. I appreciate this recipe’s versatility, simplicity, and flavor.
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What Goes Well with Chipotle Chicken with Spices?
Easy chipotle chicken the healthy way goes very well in most Tex-Mex, Mexican, and South-west type dishes. One of my favorite ways to serve this chicken is over a taco salad. Not only is the chipotle chicken full of flavor, but the salad is extra healthy because it’s full of leafy greens, vibrant vegetables, and lean spicy chicken breast.
Recently we re-discovered the easy and very tasty chicken quesadilla. A chicken quesadilla made right is so delicious and so easy to make.
Dice up this chicken and serve it with your fresh tortillas, cilantro, onion, and lime for fantastic street tacos.
What Ingredients Do You Need to Make This Easy Chipotle Chicken?
The key to making easy chipotle chicken the healthy way is in the marinade. This marinade takes just a few ingredients including olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and some of the best homemade chipotle spice blend.
Cooking Directions
There are two methods you can use to prepare this juicy chicken, use the one that resonates best with you. They are marinade and grill, or pan sear with a late marinade. Both use the same marinade but how you cook the chicken and when to apply the marinade makes the difference.
The Marinade and Grill Option
This method is straightforward if you have a BBQ. It’s as easy as combining the ingredients in a bowl or bag and allowing the chicken to marinade for some time before grilling it.
- Marinade Chicken: Place chicken in a bowl or sealable plastic bag with the marinade and store in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Grill Chicken: Grill chicken on both sides until internal temperature reaches 155°F on an instant-read probe thermometer. Remove from grill and let the chicken rest for several minutes, slice across the grain, and serve.
Marinating ahead of time allows the flavors to penetrate the meat, giving it a juicy robust flavor. If it’s raining outside, or you don’t have time to marinade the chicken ahead of time, don’t fret. The second method is just as straightforward, and you can put together the marinade while the chicken is cooking.
The Pan Sear with Late Marinade Option
While this method feels a little more intimidating, you will be amazed at the results as long as you follow a few simple principles. Flatten your chicken for even cooking, marinade during the final 10°F of internal temperature, and remove the chicken from the pan at 155°F Internal temperature to rest for several minutes. If you can follow those three principles, your chicken is going to turn out amazing every time.
We love this five-ounce measuring cup and use it all the time!
- Prepare Chicken: Place chicken in a sealable plastic bag and flatten it with a meat mallet, your fist, or other blunt object. Remove chicken from the bag and generously salt one side.
- Cook Chicken: Add 2 tbsp of olive oil to a pan over medium-high heat. Place chicken salted side down and sear for 4-6 minutes.
- Marinade Chicken: Flip the chicken to sear and cook the other side. Once the internal temperature reaches 145°F on an instant-read probe thermometer, pour marinade over the chicken in a pan. Cook for 1-2 more minutes or until internal temperature reaches 155°F.
- Rest, Cut, and Serve: Remove from pan and rest for several minutes. Cut against the grain and serve.
Best Homemade Chipotle Spice Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts free-range organic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Marinade
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp coriander
- ½ tsp chipotle
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl whisk together all of the ingredients listed under marinade.
Option 1: Grilled Chicken on the BBQ
- Marinade Chicken: Place chicken in a bowl or sealable plastic bag with the marinade and store in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Grill Chicken: Grill chicken on both sides until internal temperature reaches 155°F on instant read probe thermometer. Remove from grill and let chicken rest for several minutes, slice across the grain and serve.
Option 2: Pan Seared and late marinated
- Prepare Chicken: Place chicken in sealable plastic bag and flatten with a meat mallet, your fist, or other blunt object. Remove chicken from bag and generously salt one side.
- Cook Chicken: Add 2 tbsp of olive oil to pan over medium-high heat. Place chicken salted side down and sear for 4-6 minutes.
- Marinade Chicken: Flip the chicken to sear and cook the other side. Once the internal temperature reaches 145°F on instant-read probe thermometer, pour marinade over chicken in pan. Continue to cook for 1-2 more minutes or until internal temperature reaches 155°F.
- Rest, Cut and Serve: Remove from pan and rest for several minutes. Cut against the grain and serve.
Nutrition
