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Grilled Chicken Adobo

Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated May 25, 2022
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Looking for the best chicken adobo recipe on the internet? We’d like to throw our spatula into the ring. This grilled version of Mexican adobo chicken combines sophisticated yet familiar flavors that are easy to enjoy. Using canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce lets you skip the step of toasting, soaking and pureeing dried hot peppers, while still delivering on all of the deliciously warm, spicy flavors the traditional method is known for.

Grilled Chicken Adobo

  • Prep Time 40 min
  • Total 1 hr 10 min
  • Servings 4
  • Ingredients 15
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chopped white onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (2 lb)

Make it FRESH toppings, as desired

  • 1 container (7 oz) Old El Paso™ Crema Mexicana
  • Thinly slice radishes
  • Lime wedges
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    In blender, place onion, chipotle chiles, water, garlic, brown sugar, vinegar, coriander, cumin, salt and oregano. Cover and blend 60 to 90 seconds, stopping to scrape down sides of blender with spatula as needed, until smooth.
  • Step 
    2
    Place gallon-size resealable food-storage plastic bag in shallow dish. To plastic bag, add marinade and chicken; seal bag. Turn until chicken is evenly coated. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes but no longer than 2 hours.
  • Step 
    3
    Heat gas or charcoal grill. Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Discard any remaining marinade. Cover grill; cook 16 to 20 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).
  • Step 
    4
    Serve chicken with remaining ingredients.

Nutrition

280 Calories
8g Total Fat
51g Protein
2g Total Carbohydrate
1g Sugars

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    The term “adobo” comes from the Spanish word “adobar” which means “marinate.” In this grilled adobo chicken recipe, the chicken breasts take on the warm, spicy flavors of the marinade as well as the smoky, charred flavors of the grill.
  • tip 2
    These grilled Mexican adobo chicken breasts are excellent sliced or shredded and added to tacos with shredded cabbage, thinly sliced radishes, cilantro and crema Mexicana. A sprinkle of queso fresco cheese would be nice, too.
  • tip 3
    We used large (8 oz each) chicken breasts for this chicken adobo recipe. If yours are smaller, adjust grilling time accordingly.
  • tip 4
    Don’t skip the step of scraping down the sides of the blender with a spatula to incorporate all of the delicious ingredients into the marinade and make the most flavorful chicken adobo.
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