Chipotle Honey Rooster – Straightforward Copycat Recipe

July 25, 2025

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By Stephanie Manley Printed July 24, 2025

The critiques are in, and clients can’t get sufficient of Chipotle Honey Rooster. Should you haven’t had the time to go to your native Chipotle Mexican Grill to do that limited-time menu merchandise, don’t fear. You can also make it at house with this spot-on copycat honey chipotle rooster recipe! The chunks of tender rooster thighs are infused with smoky, candy taste, due to chipotle in adobo sauce and wildflower honey. Whereas it does have a gentle kick, the tartness from citrus and purple wine vinegar and the candy honey assist stability out the dish completely.

Copycat chipotle honey chicken, beans, and pico de gallo over rice.

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What makes this so good?

The critiques are in, and clients can’t get sufficient of Chipotle Honey Rooster. Should you haven’t had the time to go to your native Chipotle Mexican Grill to do that limited-time menu merchandise, don’t fear; you may make it at house with this spot-on copycat honey chipotle rooster recipe!

The chunks of tender rooster thighs are infused with a smoky, candy taste, due to chipotle in adobo sauce and wildflower honey. However is Chipotle Honey Rooster spicy? Whereas it does have a gentle kick, the tartness from the citrus and purple wine vinegar and the candy honey assist to stability out the dish. Serve the rooster on prime of a protein bowl, over rice, or stuffed in a burrito.

Elements and their roles

For this Honey Chipotle Rooster recipe, you’ll want:

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – provides the dish a smoky, savory taste.
Garlic – provides aromatics and a slight sharpness to the style.
Dried oregano – lends a little bit of an earthy, natural vibe.
Crimson wine vinegar – helps tenderize the rooster and offers the marinade some tang.
Lime juice (freshly squeezed) – contributes recent citrus flavors.
Cumin – brings a particular taste to the recipe.
McCormick Chili powder – provides a gentle warmth and will increase the complexity of the dish.
Wildflower honey – lends a floral sweetness to the rooster and helps the marinade persist with the meat.
Vegetable oil – helps to hold the seasonings and promotes even cooking.
Salt – enhances the opposite substances.
Floor black pepper – offers a gentle heat.
Boneless skinless rooster thighs – have sufficient fats to stop the meat from drying out, however it’s bland sufficient to tackle the style of the marinade.

Copycat chipotle honey chicken ingredients on a tray.

Learn how to make Chipotle Honey Rooster

To marinate the rooster:

Mix all of the substances aside from the rooster in a shallow, huge bowl. Whisk properly to mix and put aside.
Trim off any fats from the boneless, skinless rooster thighs, and add the rooster thighs to the marinade. Make sure that there’s sufficient marinade to cowl the rooster, or you will want to flip the thighs a number of instances whereas marinating.
Cowl the bowl and chill for at least two hours, however ideally in a single day.

To complete the Honey Chipotle Rooster recipe:

Preheat a grill or grill pan to a medium-high warmth.
Take the rooster out of the marinade and shake off the surplus over the sink. Reserve the marinade for later.
Sprinkle salt on each side of the rooster, then grill for 5 to seven minutes on the primary aspect.
Flip the rooster and grill till the interior temperature reaches 165°F, 5 extra minutes, relying on the thickness of the thighs.
Permit the rooster thighs to relaxation for about 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized items.
Warmth a big, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high warmth and add chopped rooster.
Add a number of tablespoons of the marinade and cook dinner for a minute or two longer till the marinade evaporates. This can give the rooster a charred taste.

What to serve this with

Why not pair Chipotle Honey Rooster with one of many following copycat recipes from the chain’s menu?

Chipotle’s Guacamole. Whether or not you utilize it as a topping on a burrito or as a dip for tortilla chips, you possibly can’t go fallacious with a scrumptious guacamole. This copycat restaurant-quality guacamole from Chipotle balances the creaminess of completely ripe avocados with a splash of recent citrus juice and the warmth of jalapenos. The outcomes are addictive.

Chipotle’s Authentic Margarita. You received’t discover an alcoholic Margarita at most Chipotle Mexican Grill places, however you may make them at house with this bang-on copycat recipe. Chipotle’s Authentic Margarita blows away the usual margarita through the use of each lime and lemon juice and swapping agave syrup for easy syrup. With no bitter combine in sight, you get the freshest and most refreshing margarita you’ve ever tried.

Chipotle’s Corn Salsa. Even for those who don’t often get enthusiastic about corn, there’s something particular concerning the Corn Salsa served at Chipotle. It’s made with candy corn kernels, sharp purple onion, spicy jalapenos, and roasted poblano peppers after which tossed in a citrus-forward dressing. Corn Salsa simply makes every thing style so a lot better.

A rice bowl with copycat chipotle chicken, pico de gallo, black beans, and lettuce.

Storage & reheating directions

Let the rooster cool to room temperature and switch it to an hermetic container. You’ll be able to preserve it within the fridge for as much as three days.

You’ll be able to reheat the rooster in a coated pan over medium warmth for 3 to 5 minutes. Add a splash of water to stop the rooster from drying out, and stir it a number of instances.

A rice bowl with copycat chipotle honey chicken, beans, pico de gallo, and lettuce.

Extra Chipotle Mexican Grill copycat recipes

Try extra of my straightforward recipes for Mexican meals and the greatest quick meals copycat recipes on CopyKat!