Six ingredients. Thirty minutes. The sweet, smoky, slightly spicy grilled chicken our family makes all summer long, and then uses on everything else all week.
This is the marinade I come back to every summer without fail. Six pantry ingredients, 30 minutes, and you have the kind of grilled chicken that makes everyone ask what’s in it. The answer is honey and chipotle in adobo sauce: smoky, bold, just enough heat. It’s the combination that makes the whole thing work.
I always make extra. This chicken goes straight from the grill to Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Smoked Mozzarella one night, into pitas the next, and onto a big salad by Friday. It meal-preps better than almost anything I make, which is exactly why it shows up on our grill so often.
If you’re already a fan of my Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken, this one belongs right next to it in the rotation. Same ease, completely different flavor direction (smoky and sweet instead of herby and bright).
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: A lean protein that is easy to make in any way you please.
- Chipotle in adobo sauce: This is the whole flavor engine. Chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeños, and the adobo sauce they’re packed in is tangy, garlicky, and deeply savory. One tablespoon is enough for bold flavor without serious heat. If you want it milder, use just the sauce and skip the pepper itself.
- Honey: Balances the smokiness and helps the outside of the chicken caramelize on the grill.
- Olive oil: Keeps the chicken from sticking and helps the marinade cling to the meat.
How to Make Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Breasts
Step 1. Start by making your marinade by chopping up your chipotle peppers in adobe sauce.
Step 2. Add them to a bowl with olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
Step 3. Whisk it together, then coat your chicken and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4. Then cook on the grill over medium-high heat for around 7-8 minutes a side.
Let the chicken rest for around 10 minutes before slicing, then serve and enjoy your Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Breasts!
More Grilling Recipes for Summer
- Grilled Turkey Burgers with Pesto
- Smoky Grilled Pork Chops
- Easy Grilled Vegetable Pasta
- Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
Eat It, Like It, Share It!
Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just need a quick dinner option, this Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken is so flavorful and quick and easy to make. It’s sure to be a new family favorite!
Your fork is waiting.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, olive oil, chipotle sauce, salt and pepper. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat. Marinade for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Pre-heat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill for 7-8 minutes per side or until chicken reaches an internal cooking temperature of 165°F or higher.
- Let meat rest 10 minutes before slicing to serve. Garnish with scallions.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Bake at 400 degrees F for 22-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. You’ll miss the char, but the flavor holds up well.
Thighs work great with this marinade. They’re more forgiving on the grill and stay juicy even if you run a few minutes long. Grill over medium-high heat and pull at 165 degrees F. Cooking time will be similar, around 7-8 minutes per side depending on thickness.
30 minutes is the minimum. Overnight is ideal. Even a short marinade makes a big flavor difference here because honey and chipotle work fast.
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