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Chipotle Chicken Bowl Recipe

3.9 from 63 reviews

This Chipotle Chicken Bowl recipe features marinated boneless chicken thighs grilled or cooked to perfection and served over a bed of rice with black beans, corn salsa, guacamole, and fresh salsa. The smoky chipotle peppers in adobo sauce provide a rich, spicy flavor, making this bowl a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 1 pound boneless chicken thighs
  • 2 chipotle in adobo peppers, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons chipotle in adobo sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Base and Toppings

  • 2 cups rice
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans
  • 1 cup corn salsa
  • 1/3 cup guacamole
  • 1/2 cup salsa

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: Finely chop 2 chipotle in adobo peppers and mix them with 2 teaspoons chipotle in adobo sauce, 1 tablespoon olive oil, juice of 1 lime, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to create a flavorful marinade.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Toss the 1 pound of boneless chicken thighs with the prepared marinade, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to infuse.
  3. Cook the chicken: Heat a grill or a large skillet over high heat. Cook the marinated chicken thighs for about 6 minutes on each side until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165ºF. The chicken should have a nicely charred surface with juicy interior.
  4. Prepare toppings: While the chicken marinates and cooks, prepare your toppings by cooking 2 cups of rice and warming the 15 oz can of black beans. Have the corn salsa, guacamole, and salsa ready for assembly.
  5. Assemble the bowl: Start by layering cooked rice at the bottom of each bowl. Top the rice with chopped or sliced cooked chipotle chicken, then add black beans, corn salsa, guacamole, and salsa according to your preference. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor significantly.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs remain juicier.
  • If you don’t have a grill, a stove-top skillet works well for cooking the chicken.
  • Use fresh lime juice for best flavor in the marinade.
  • Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers based on your spice preference.

Keywords: chipotle chicken bowl, grilled chicken, Mexican chicken bowl, chipotle chicken recipe, healthy chicken bowl