Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Recipe

Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken is the perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors. This dish combines the heat of chipotle peppers with the cool, tangy richness of ranch dressing, creating a marinade that deeply infuses the chicken with flavor. Grilled to perfection, the chicken is tender, juicy, and packed with bold flavors, making it an ideal choice for barbecues, meal prep, or family dinners.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. The chicken can be enjoyed on its own, served with a side salad, placed in a wrap, or used as a topping for tacos, bowls, or sandwiches. It pairs beautifully with various sides such as roasted vegetables, grilled corn, or even a refreshing cucumber salad.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through every aspect of preparing Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken, including step-by-step instructions for marinating, grilling, and serving. Plus, we’ll offer suggestions for variations and ways to customize the recipe based on your dietary preferences or available ingredients.

Preparation & Cooking

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

1. Pound the Chicken: Begin by gently pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness. You can do this by placing them between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper and using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and stays tender.

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2. Season the Chicken: Brush the chicken breasts lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking to the grill. This also adds flavor and helps the chicken retain moisture while grilling. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and lemon zest for extra brightness. Set aside while you prepare the marinade.

Step 2: Making the Chipotle Ranch Marinade

1. Combine the Marinade Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the ranch dressing, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, lime juice, honey, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are well combined.

2. Taste and Adjust: Taste the marinade and adjust the seasoning as necessary. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can add fewer chipotle peppers or replace them with chipotle chili powder. If you want it spicier, feel free to add an extra chipotle pepper or a dash of hot sauce.

3. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the chipotle ranch marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours. For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.

Step 3: Preparing the Grill

1. Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F to 400°F). If you’re using a charcoal grill, make sure the coals are hot and have formed a consistent layer of embers. For gas grills, allow them to heat for about 10-15 minutes before cooking.

2. Oil the Grill Grates: To prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill, brush the grates lightly with oil using a paper towel or grill brush. You can also use a non-stick spray, but be careful of flare-ups.

Step 4: Grilling the Chicken

1. Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill, and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, flipping once, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This ensures the chicken is cooked through but still juicy. Depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

2. Check for Doneness: To check if the chicken is done, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. Once it reaches 165°F, remove the chicken from the grill.

3. Rest the Chicken: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after grilling. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a tender and moist result.

Step 5: Serving the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken

1. Slice the Chicken: Once the chicken has rested, slice it against the grain into thin strips. This makes it easier to serve and ensures that the chicken stays juicy.

2. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken with freshly chopped cilantro, if desired, for a fresh pop of flavor. Serve the chicken on a platter with your choice of sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or grilled corn.

3. Optional Serving Ideas:

   • Tacos: Serve the grilled chicken on soft or hard tortillas with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, avocado, and shredded cheese. Drizzle with extra chipotle ranch sauce or a squeeze of lime.
   • Bowls: Layer the grilled chicken over a bed of rice or quinoa, then top with fresh salsa, black beans, corn, avocado, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a delicious and hearty meal.
   • Wraps: For a lighter meal, wrap the grilled chicken in a large flour tortilla with lettuce, avocado, shredded cheese, and a dollop of chipotle ranch dressing.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

1. Even Cooking: When grilling chicken breasts, ensure they are evenly thick by pounding them before marinating. This helps them cook at the same rate, preventing some parts from being overcooked while others remain undercooked.

2. Grill Marks: For those classic grill marks, avoid moving the chicken too much once it’s on the grill. Let it cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes on one side before flipping.

3. Marinate Overnight: If possible, allow the chicken to marinate overnight. The flavors will penetrate the meat more thoroughly, giving it a deeper, richer taste.

4. Temperature Control: If you’re grilling on a gas grill, you can adjust the heat by turning down the burners to medium-low once the chicken is on. This ensures that the chicken cooks more slowly and evenly.

Variations & Substitutions

1. Chipotle Ranch Marinade Variations:

   • For a Spicier Kick: Add extra chipotle peppers or a dash of cayenne pepper to the marinade for more heat.
   • For a Milder Version: If you prefer a less spicy version, reduce the number of chipotle peppers and use a milder ranch dressing.
   • Vegan Option: Use a dairy-free ranch dressing and a plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh instead of chicken. Be sure to press the tofu to remove excess moisture for better texture when grilled.

2. Serving Variations:

   • Add More Vegetables: For extra flavor and nutrition, serve the chicken alongside grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or onions.
   • Substitute the Chicken: You can substitute the chicken breasts with chicken thighs, which are slightly juicier and more flavorful. You can also grill shrimp, pork, or even a plant-based protein.

3. Add a Tangy Twist: For a slightly tangy kick, add some apple cider vinegar or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the marinade. This balances out the creaminess of the ranch dressing and enhances the flavor profile.

Conclusion

Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken is a versatile, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re grilling for a summer barbecue, meal prepping for the week, or preparing a weeknight dinner, this chicken provides a delicious and easy solution. The smoky, spicy chipotle flavors blend wonderfully with the creamy ranch dressing, creating a marinade that infuses the chicken with depth and complexity.

Grilling the chicken ensures a juicy, tender result with a crispy exterior, and the garnishes and serving suggestions allow for endless possibilities. From tacos to bowls to wraps, Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken is a dish that you’ll want to make again and again.

Yield: 4

Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Recipe

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Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken is the perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors. This dish combines the heat of chipotle peppers with the cool, tangy richness of ranch dressing, creating a marinade that deeply infuses the chicken with flavor. Grilled to perfection, the chicken is tender, juicy, and packed with bold flavors, making it an ideal choice for barbecues, meal prep, or family dinners.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Marination Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Chicken Marinade:
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (finely chopped, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (fresh)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• For Grilling:
• Olive oil (for brushing the grill grates)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Marinade:

• In a bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for best results) to allow the flavors to meld.

2. Preheat the Grill:

• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F or 190-200°C).
• Brush the grill grates with olive oil to prevent sticking.

3. Grill the Chicken:

• Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any leftover marinade.
• Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is no longer pink in the center. You can also use tongs to check if the chicken releases easily from the grill, which is another sign it’s cooked through.

4. Serve:

• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
• Serve the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken with your favorite sides like rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad.

Notes

• Marination: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 2-4 hours. However, if you’re in a hurry, even 30 minutes will provide a great flavor boost.
• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers and adobo sauce depending on your heat tolerance. For a milder flavor, you can reduce the chipotle peppers or use less adobo sauce.
• Grill Marks: For those perfect grill marks, avoid moving the chicken too much once it's placed on the grill. Let it sear for a few minutes before flipping.
• Oven Option: If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches the desired internal temperature.
• Serving Suggestions: This chicken is great for tacos, wraps, or served on a salad. You can even add a little extra ranch dressing on top for a creamy finish.