Description
This Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken recipe features tender and juicy boneless chicken thighs marinated in a smoky, spicy chipotle adobo sauce blend. Perfect for quick and flavorful meals, this dish cooks in just 20 minutes in the air fryer and makes a delicious base for rice bowls, tacos, or salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lb boneless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 99 g chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 15 g fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the marinade: In a blender, combine 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 chicken thighs in a large bowl. Pour about ⅓ cup of the marinade over the chicken and toss thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
- Marinate: Cover the bowl with clingfilm and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, to allow flavors to develop.
- Preheat air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Arrange chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap for even cooking.
- Air fry: Cook the chicken for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) for doneness.
- Rest the chicken: Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Pair the chipotle chicken with rice, beans, or your favorite sides and enjoy a flavorful, satisfying meal.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour or overnight if time permits.
- This recipe works well with chicken breasts but yields juicier results with thighs.
- Serve with mango salsa, black beans, and cilantro lime rice to create a full rice bowl.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of chipotle peppers or remove seeds before blending.
- Use fresh cilantro for vibrant flavor, but dried cilantro can be substituted in a pinch.
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
