Description
This Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken recipe features tender, juicy boneless chicken thighs marinated in a smoky, spicy chipotle adobo sauce. Perfect for a quick and flavorful meal, this dish is easy to prepare, cooks in the air fryer for a healthy touch, and makes a delicious addition to rice bowls or salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 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
Main Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless chicken thighs
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 the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and pour about ⅓ cup of the marinade over them. Toss thoroughly to ensure all chicken pieces are coated evenly with the marinade.
- Marinate: Cover the bowl with clingfilm and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange the chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding for optimal air circulation.
- Air fry the chicken: Cook the chicken for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the exterior is nicely browned.
- Rest the chicken: Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute for maximum moisture and flavor before serving.
- Serve: Build your favorite rice bowl or plate and enjoy the flavorful chipotle chicken.
Notes
- This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prep and uses simple pantry ingredients for convenience.
- Boneless chicken thighs are preferred for their tenderness and juicy texture.
- Marinating the chicken for longer enhances the chipotle flavor and tenderness.
- Serve with mango salsa, black beans, and cilantro lime rice for a complete meal.
- You can adjust the spice by using fewer chipotle peppers if desired.
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
