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🥘Recipes by Nani
Dinner

Smoky Chipotle Chicken

A quick and flavorful chicken dish that brings a lovely smoky heat to your favorite tacos.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Mexican· August 4, 2026
Smoky Chipotle Chicken
recipesbynani.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
10 minutes
Total
20 minutes
Serves
4

This smoky chipotle chicken is a staple in my kitchen when I need something bold but simple. It gets that wonderful charred look right under the broiler, which gives the meat such a nice depth of flavor without taking hours to cook.

My favorite trick for this recipe is to make sure your chicken pieces are cut to a similar size so they cook evenly. Once it comes out of the oven, it is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas or serving over a big pile of fresh salad greens.

🧺 Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Lime wedges for serving

👩‍🍳Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven broiler to high and place a rack about six inches from the heat source.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, whisk together the adobo sauce, olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

  3. 3

    Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss them until they are well coated in the spicy marinade.

  4. 4

    Spread the chicken out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil for easy cleanup.

  5. 5

    Broil the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the edges are nicely charred and the meat is cooked through.

  6. 6

    Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, and squeeze a little lime juice over the top before serving.

💡 Tips

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can serve this with warm flour tortillas, sliced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream for a complete meal.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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