Description
This Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken recipe features tender and juicy boneless chicken thighs marinated in a smoky, spicy chipotle adobo sauce blend. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a flavorful and healthy weeknight meal or a tasty addition to your rice bowls, salads, or tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lb boneless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 99 g chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 15 g fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the marinade: In a blender, combine the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, fresh cilantro, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and well combined.
- Coat the chicken: Place the boneless chicken thighs into a large bowl. Pour about ⅓ cup of the prepared marinade over the chicken and toss thoroughly to ensure all pieces are well coated.
- Marinate: Cover the bowl tightly with clingfilm and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 3 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange chicken in air fryer: Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding for crispy, even cooking.
- Air fry: Cook the chicken for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through to promote even browning. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest before serving: Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness and flavor. Serve with your favorite sides or build into a rice bowl.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken for several hours or overnight.
- Serve with mango salsa, black beans, and cilantro lime rice for a complete meal.
- Olive oil can be substituted with avocado oil for a different flavor profile.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for optimal juiciness and quick cooking.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers for desired spice level.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps preserve moisture and tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 337 kcal
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 213 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.04 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg
