Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breasts Recipes

SLOW-GRILLED CHIPOTLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix together the vegetable oil, chipotle and sauce, smoked paprika, honey, oregano, cumin, garlic, lime zest and juice, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Rub some under the skin of the chicken breasts and thighs, and then all over the outside of the chicken. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Prepare a grill for low indirect heat: For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners and turn the remaining burners down to low. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results.)
• Place the chicken breast-side up on the indirect side. Cover and cook, rotating the chicken periodically, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone) reads at least 165 degrees F, 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes. (If using charcoal, you might have to add more charcoal during cooking.) Let the chicken rest 20 minutes before carving.
• Meanwhile, increase the grill to medium-high heat. Drizzle some oil on the scallions and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until softened and darkly charred in spots on all sides, just a few minutes. At the same time, warm up the tortillas on the grill, about 1 minute per side; stack grilled tortillas and wrap in foil to keep warm.
• Serve chicken with warm tortillas, charred scallions, lime wedges and salsa.

THE BEST GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Working with one chicken breast at a time, place the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Gently pound with a meat mallet to 1/2 inch thick then transfer to a large bowl.
• Combine the yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, scallion whites, garlic, olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper to a food processor and process until smooth. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Turn the chicken a few times to coat then submerge in the marinade. Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes but no more than 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, heat a grill to medium.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade to a large platter, letting any excess marinade drip back into the bowl. Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Grill, covered, flipping once halfway through, until a digital thermometer registers 165 degrees F, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
• Thinly slice the scallion greens on a bias and sprinkle over the chicken. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

GRILLED MAPLE-CHIPOTLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine chicken breasts, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, chipotle powder, oregano, paprika, cayenne, and celery salt into a marinating container and mix well. Let chicken marinate at least 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place marinated chicken breasts on the center of the grill, reserving remaining marinade. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, spreading remaining marinade over chicken using a basting brush every few minutes to properly glaze. Flip and continue to cook and baste until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 10 to 15 minutes more.

GRILLED CHIPOTLE LIME CHICKEN BREASTS - OR THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat grill to moderate heat for gas or medium indirect heat for charcoal and AWAY from fire, lightly oil or spray COOL cooking rack for easy cleaning.
• Mix minced pepper, adobo, lime juice,garlic, oil and pour half into resealable bag. DO NOT add the honey. That comes later. Reserve the rest for basting.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper- sometimes we use season salt or lemon pepper for a twist.
• Add chicken to bag and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. No need to refrigerate for this short time.
• Remove chicken from marinade and place on preheated grill. Discard USED marinade.
• Grill chicken about 4-5 minutes then flip over and cook another 4-5 minutes.
• Now add the honey to RESERVED marinade and baste chicken. Immediately flip chicken and baste the unbasted side. Grill until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
• Remove from grill and pour any remaining RESERVED sauce on top.
• Note: This can be done on an indoor grill as well. Make sure you spray or oil it before heating grill.
• OAMC: If freezing ahead: Put ingredients in a ziploc bag and place in freezer, flattened. To cook from frozen: Thaw in refrigerator. Cook as directed above.