Honey Chipotle Chicken

Name: Honey Chipotle Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 265 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce + 2 tablespoons of the adobo sauce; 1 lime (juiced); 2 tablespoons honey; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro; 1 1/2 teaspoons fine kosher salt (or to taste); Black pepper to taste

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By Danae

on Jul 26, 2026

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Honey chipotle chicken is an easy chicken recipe with the best marinade! It’s sweet, smoky, and perfectly spicy thanks to canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Marinate chicken breasts or chicken thighs ahead of time, then grill or cook them on the stovetop until they’re tender and juicy! It’s a versatile recipe and can be used for tacos, rice bowls, salads, and so much more!

A plate of grilled, sliced Honey Chipotle Chicken thighs with char marks, garnished with lime wedges and fresh cilantro leaves, sits on a gray surface next to a beige napkin.

I’ve been making this honey chipotle chicken for years and it’s by far my favorite chicken marinade! I first used it when I made these popular honey chipotle chicken bowls and then again with these honey chipotle chicken skewers. There’s something so appealing about the smoky flavors of the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce paired with sweet honey, plus the marinade helps keeps the chicken juicy and tender while it cooks.

I usually grill the chipotle chicken, but you can also bake it in the oven or cook it on the stovetop. The chicken freezes well so I usually make a double batch and save half for a later date. You can also freeze the remaining chipotle chiles for the next time you make the chicken. If you like to meal prep, it’s perfect to have on hand for salads, rice bowls, tacos, and more.

Raw chicken pieces on a white plate, with cilantro, honey, garlic powder, cumin, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and a lime arranged on a gray surface—perfect for making delicious Honey Chipotle Chicken.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Chicken – Both boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs work well for this chicken marinade. I usually do a mix of both.

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – These are canned chiles and can be found with the other Mexican ingredients at the grocery store. The flavor is bold, smoky, spicy, tangy, and has a hint of sweetness. The heat level can easily be adjusted by using more or less of the peppers. I don’t recommend any substitutions because it’s the primary flavor.

Lime – Lime juice gives the chicken a pop of citrus flavor that enhances the smoky flavor of the chipotle. Fresh lime juice is recommended over bottled lime juice for the best lime flavor.

Honey – Honey balances the spicy flavor of the chipotle pepper. It’s the perfect combination of sweet heat. Honey is best for this recipe, but it can be substituted with maple syrup.

Cilantro – Cilantro adds a freshness to the chicken marinade. The flavor ties together with the heat and earthy flavors of the chiles and dried spices. I use it in many of my southwest and Mexican influenced recipes including Santa Fe chicken and Mexican ground beef and potatoes. If you don’t like cilantro I don’t recommend trying to substitute it with another fresh herb, just omit it from the recipe.

A metal whisk rests in a glass measuring cup filled with a reddish-brown, herbed liquid mixture—perfect for marinating Honey Chipotle Chicken—set on a light gray countertop.

Raw chicken marinating in a clear plastic zip-top bag with herbs and spices for a flavorful Honey Chipotle Chicken, placed on a light gray surface.

Honey Chipotle Chicken sizzles on the barbecue grill, with grilled chicken breast boasting char marks and a glossy honey chipotle glaze, resulting in a golden brown and slightly charred surface.

Grilled, marinated Honey Chipotle Chicken pieces with char marks arranged on a well-used baking sheet, viewed from above on a light surface.

Tips for the Best Honey Chipotle Chicken

Use a meat mallet. If your chicken breasts are thick or thicker on one end, pound them out with a meat mallet so they are an even thickness. It the chicken is extra thick it will take longer to cook and you’ll risk it being dry.
Marinate the chicken in a freezer bag or other resealable bag. I prefer this method over marinating it in a bowl so I can massage the marinade into the chicken.
Grilling chicken. Preheat the grill to 400° F. Be sure the grill grates are clean and well oiled so the chicken doesn’t stick to them. Cook the chicken to 160° F. and then let the carry over cooking bring the temperature up to 165° F.
Shake off excess marinade. Doing this will allow the exterior to brown evenly rather than steam.
Let it rest. Cover the cooked chicken with a piece of foil to keep it warm. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into it. Doing this redistributes the juices so they stay inside the chicken instead of spilling out all over the cutting board.

What to Serve with Honey Chipotle Chicken

The flavors of this chicken pair well with many southwest and Mexican inspired recipes. I love to have it with a side of cilantro lime rice, avocado corn salad, Mexican quinoa salad, or black beans and rice.

Ways to Serve Chipotle Chicken

This is a versatile chicken recipe and there’s endless ways to serve it. I use it as a filling for tacos and burritos and I love adding it to this southwest crispy rice salad and chicken avocado corn salad.

You can also replace the chicken in the chili lime chicken burrito bowls and southwest chicken bowls with it.

Three pieces of Honey Chipotle Chicken with charred grill marks rest on a golden-brown baking sheet. The chicken appears juicy and well-seasoned, with a slightly caramelized surface that hints at its sweet and smoky glaze.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheat the leftover chicken in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel to lock in moisture and help keep the chicken from drying out. You can also reheat it in a pan on the stove over medium-low heat. Add a couple tablespoons of water or chicken broth to the pan and as soon as it starts to simmer add in the chicken. Cover the pan with a lid and heat for about 5 minutes or until it’s warmed through. This method steams the chicken so it locks in the moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Should I Marinate Honey Chipotle Chicken?

Marinate the chicken for at least one hour and up to 4-6 hours. It isn’t necessary to marinate the chicken overnight. I find that when chicken is marinated in citrus juice for too long it changes the texture.

Can I Bake Honey Chipotle Chicken Instead of Grilling It?

If you want to bake chipotle chicken, marinate it per the recipe instructions. Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat off any excess marinade. Place the chicken on a rimmed sheet pan sprayed with cooking oil. Bake at 400° F. for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165° F. Baking time will vary depending on how thick your chicken breasts are.

Can I Cook Honey Chipotle Chicken on the Stovetop?

Yes. Add a little olive oil to a large skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the chicken in and cook it for 4-6 minutes before flipping it over and cooking another 4-6 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165° F.

How Do I Make Honey Chipotle Chicken Less Spicy?

I suggest skipping the chipotle chile and just using the adobo sauce. The adobo sauce is tangy, acidic, smoky, earthy, a little sweet. The heat is primarily coming from the chipotle, which is a smoked jalapeño pepper.