Tangy, sweet and spicy is what these Sweet Chipotle Chicken Bites are all about. Start to finish, your dinner will be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Serve with warm flour tortillas and enjoy the deliciousness.
I am so excited to share one of my favorite new dinners with you. I’ve even been making it for lunch when the kids aren’t around so I don’t have to share it. I know, I’m terrible, but it’s seriously so good I want it all to myself.
This delicious recipe came from my friend Mary’s fabulous new book, The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook: Simple Family-Friendly Recipes for Everyday Home Cooking (make sure to get your copy). Mary is a dear blogging friend and the genius behind the very popular blog, Barefeet in the Kitchen, where she cranks out simple recipes you are all going to love.
I can’t tell you how exciting it is to get one of your friend’s cookbooks in your hands. Knowing how hard they worked on it and remembering all the hills and valleys they went through to get it published! It’s such an accomplishment.
This book was written specifically for the busy family in mind as it’s full of quick and easy recipes to get dinner on the table and a whole section of stress free desserts. A couple of my other favorite recipes in the book have been the Cajun Roasted Potatoes and the Cheesy Southwest Beef and Potato Skillet you see above. They are so good.
Next week I already have the Honey Chipotle Meatloaf on my menu and the Lemon Lover’s Pound Cake is calling my name. I really thing I’m going to make every recipe in this book.
Cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces is what will take you the most time in this recipe. I’m used to cutting up chicken this way so for me it is not very time consuming. Once you get used to it, it will be lightening speed to the dinner table.
Chicken thighs are what make this do delicious. They keep their juiciness very well…in all recipes. I highly suggest sticking with them.
You can see the little flecks of chipotle chile in here, one of my absolute favorite ingredients. If you’ve never used them before, you are in for a treat.
I enjoy the versatility of chipotle flavor – it pairs well with a variety of ingredients and cuisines. If you also love it, give my chipotle beef tostadas a try, or make a batch of these meatballs with chipotle-honey sauce for your next gathering. If it’s chilly out, make a bowl of this chipotle tomato soup and serve it with a side of grilled cheese. These soup-sized turkey chipotle meatballs are perfect in a steaming bowl of soup.
Sweet Chipotle Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 5 (1-1/2 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon New Mexico chile powder or plain chile powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
- 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
- 1 Tablespoon plain white vinegar
- 3 green onions, very thinly sliced, for topping
Directions
- Cut chicken into bite-sized 1/2 "pieces and place in a medium sized bowl. Drizzle chicken with 1/2 Tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle chicken withcornstarch, salt, paprika, chile powder, cumin, garlic and cayenne. Toss to coat with your hands or utensil. In a small bowl, combine honey, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce and vinegar.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high-heat. Add remaining 1/2 Tablespoon oil to the pan. When oil is shimmering, add chicken and toss to coat with the oil. Cook chicken until it no longer pink, stirring often, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and add honey chipotle sauce to the hot skillet.
- Simmer the sauce, reducing for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, it will thicken slightly. Add the chicken back to the skillet. Toss with the sauce and simmer for 1 minute longer. Serve immediately, sprinkled with green onions.
- Notes: You can substitute chicken breast, however it is really easy to overcook when using white meat. The spice level is perfect for feeding kids, feel free to make it spicier if your family is okay with that. I served this with warm, fresh, flour tortillas and it was absolutely delicious.
Mary Younkin says
I am so happy you loved the chicken! (And that you are enjoying the cookbook too!) Your photos look fantastic and now I’m craving this chicken like mad. We all adore it. Thanks so much!
Cathy says
Thanks for sharing your cookbook with me! Such an accomplishment and labor of love. My book has so many earmarks of all the things I want to make, it already looks like I’ve had it for years.
Katerina @ diethood .com says
These chicken bites are absolutely fabulous!! I have to give them a try!!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
I love everything I’ve tried from Mary’s book so far, and this recipe looks like another winner! Another bookmark added to my list.
Michelle De La Cerda says
This would be a great game day appetizer and a great dinner. Very versatile recipe.
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny says
What a great meal after a busy day! Looks amazincg!
Toni says
This was as easy and delicious as you said! The spice level was fine for me, but a little too spicy for the kids. Hah! More for me. I will be making this again and again. AND I will look into buying your friends book! If all her recipes are this easy and good, it’s a no brainer.
Now, my question is this… what to do with the rest of the can of chipotle in adobo sauce. How long will it last in the fridge? Can it be frozen?
Cathy says
It lasts quite a while in the fridge, but scoop it into a small mason jar. You can also scoop one chile and a Tablespoon of sauce into plastic wrap and freeze individually.
Toni says
Oh, freezing individual servings is a great idea! Thanks. Wasn’t sure how it would hold up.
Maris (In Good Taste) says
Delicious game day idea! I love chipotle anything
Michelle | A Latte Food says
These look absolutely incredible! And I’ll have to check out that cookbook for sure!
Joanna says
I whipped this up Friday night for my teenage son and his friend. But then I couldn’t stop eating it. And I’m pretty ‘meh’ about chicken. One of the best recipes I’ve found here! Perfect combo of sweet and heat. Bonus: it looked just like the photo. Love when that happens.
Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy says
I finally got to make these chipotle chicken bites this past weekend and it was such a hit!! I’m also gonna pin this post on my Pinterest board my followers will love it. Thanks for sharing!
Jill Luitjens says
This is SOOOOO good!! I had never used chipotle before, and you were so right when you said “you’re in for a treat”. This was SO good, that it never made it out of the pan onto plates. The three of us “taste tested” it until it was just all gone. I’m making it again tonight, less than a week later. I told everyone about this. Oh, and it doesn’t get any easier to make than this, making it all the better. Thanks so much!!
Chowhound says
These were really good! I had them in a corn tortilla the first time. Yesterday threw some tortilla chips, shredded lettuce and tomatoes in a bowl and put the chicken on top for a really good salad. Will probably repeat that until it’s gone–less messy than the shell! It would be delicious on rice, too. Thanks for the great recipe.