Spicy Chipotle Grilled Chicken with Creamy Avocado Salsa
Experience a tantalizing blend of flavors with this spicy chipotle grilled chicken, marinated in smoky adobo sauce and roasted garlic. The distinct heat from the chipotle chiles is perfectly balanced with a refreshing avocado salsa, offering a creamy, zesty counterpart that enhances each bite. Suitable for grilling or roasting, this dish is both versatile and easy to prepare. Ideal for gatherings, the chicken pairs wonderfully with warm tortillas, perfect for wrapping or serving on the side. Marinate the chicken ahead of time for a rich depth of flavor, and enjoy a taste of Baja in your own home.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chipotle chiles in adobo
7 ounces (pureed)
Garlic cloves
4 large (peeled)
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon + to taste (none)
Whole chickens
3 small (cut into halves or quarters) (cut)
Hass avocados
3 ripe (pitted, peeled, and diced into 1/2 inch pieces)
Lime
1 (juice only) (juiced)
White onion
1/3 cup (finely diced)
Fresh cilantro stems
3 (stemmed and chopped)
Instructions
1
In a food processor, combine the chipotle chiles, garlic cloves, vegetable oil, and kosher salt. Blend until a smooth paste forms.
2
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Generously coat them on all sides with the chipotle mixture, ensuring an even distribution.
3
Transfer the marinated chicken to a non-reactive baking dish or resealable bags. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight to maximize flavor.
4
To grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Grill the chicken with the lid open for about 7 minutes on each side, achieving a nice char but avoiding burning. Reduce the heat to low, close the lid, and continue cooking the chicken skin side up until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (about 20-25 more minutes).
5
To roast: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the marinated chicken pieces in a roasting pan and cover with foil. Roast in the oven for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the avocado salsa by combining diced avocados, lime juice, diced onion, and chopped cilantro in a bowl. Gently mix them, being careful not to mash the avocado.
7
Season the salsa with salt to taste. Note that it's best to serve the salsa within 3 hours of preparation for optimal freshness. To prevent browning, cover the surface with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
8
Serve the grilled chicken warm with the avocado salsa and warm tortillas on the side for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Chipotle Grilled Chicken with Creamy Avocado Salsa?
It is a flavorful dish featuring chicken marinated in a smoky chipotle and adobo sauce, grilled or roasted to perfection, and served with a refreshing, zesty avocado salsa.
What are the main ingredients for the chipotle marinade?
The marinade consists of 7 ounces of chipotle chiles in adobo, 4 large peeled garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
How long should the chicken be marinated?
The chicken should be marinated for at least 2 hours, but it is ideally refrigerated overnight to maximize the depth of flavor.
What is the safe internal temperature for the cooked chicken?
The chicken is cooked through when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.
How do I grill the chipotle chicken?
Preheat the grill to medium, grill for 7 minutes per side with the lid open to char, then reduce to low heat and cook skin side up with the lid closed for 20-25 more minutes.
Can I roast this chicken in the oven instead of grilling?
Yes, you can roast the marinated chicken in a 350°F oven in a foil-covered roasting pan for 30 to 40 minutes.
What are the ingredients for the creamy avocado salsa?
The salsa includes 3 ripe diced Hass avocados, the juice of one lime, 1/3 cup of finely diced white onion, and 3 chopped fresh cilantro stems.
How do I prevent the avocado salsa from turning brown?
To prevent browning, cover the surface of the salsa directly with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
How soon should I serve the avocado salsa?
For optimal freshness, it is best to serve the avocado salsa within 3 hours of preparation.
What type of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 small whole chickens, cut into halves or quarters.
What should I serve with this dish for a complete meal?
The chicken and salsa pair wonderfully with warm tortillas, making it perfect for wraps or tacos.
How do I prepare the chipotle marinade paste?
Combine the chipotle chiles, garlic, vegetable oil, and salt in a food processor and blend until a smooth paste forms.
What kind of onion is recommended for the salsa?
The recipe recommends using 1/3 cup of finely diced white onion.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
Yes, it features a distinct heat from the chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, which is balanced by the creamy salsa.
Should I use a specific type of avocado?
The recipe specifies using 3 ripe Hass avocados, diced into 1/2 inch pieces.
What type of salt is best for the marinade?
Kosher salt is recommended for both the marinade and for seasoning the salsa to taste.
Why do I need to pat the chicken dry before marinating?
Patting the chicken dry with paper towels ensures that the chipotle mixture coats the meat evenly and adheres properly.
Do I need to peel the garlic cloves?
Yes, the 4 large garlic cloves should be peeled before being blended into the marinade paste.
Can I use cilantro leaves or just the stems?
The recipe calls for 3 fresh cilantro stems that have been stemmed and chopped.
How should I mix the avocado salsa?
The salsa should be mixed gently to combine the ingredients without mashing the diced avocado pieces.
What kind of oil should be used in the marinade?
The recipe specifies using 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
What kind of container is best for marinating the chicken?
Use a non-reactive baking dish or resealable plastic bags for marinating the chicken in the refrigerator.
Does this recipe work for a barbecue?
Yes, it is tagged as a barbecue and summer recipe, making it ideal for outdoor gatherings.
Is this dish part of a specific cuisine?
This dish is inspired by Mexican cuisine and offers a taste of Baja.
Can I make the salsa in advance?
While you can make it slightly ahead, it is best served within 3 hours to maintain its color and texture.
What is the purpose of the lime juice in the salsa?
The lime juice adds a zesty flavor and helps prevent the avocado from browning too quickly.
How many people does this recipe serve?
The recipe uses 3 small chickens, which typically serves a large group or provides multiple servings per chicken.
What is the first step in the grilling process?
The first step is to preheat the grill to medium heat and sear the chicken for about 7 minutes per side with the lid open.
Should the chicken be skin-side up or down when finishing on the grill?
After the initial sear, the heat should be reduced to low and the chicken should be cooked skin-side up with the lid closed.
How do I ensure an even distribution of the marinade?
You should generously coat the chicken pieces on all sides with the chipotle mixture after patting them dry.