Create this quick and delicious Chipotle copycat Chicken Al Pastor for an easy make ahead dinner.
Marinate chicken thighs in a zesty, earthy, and slightly spicy blend - perfect for burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and beyond.
Craving more Mexican dinners? Try blackened fish tacos, taco salad, or taco pasta. You'll also enjoy this Chipotle Chicken Pasta.
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🛒Ingredients
- Chicken - for this recipe, opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for their richer flavor and juiciness, ideal for maintaining moisture during high-heat cooking.
- Spices - For authentic Mexican taste, gather cumin, salt, black pepper, ancho chili powder, and dried oregano.
- Orange juice - serves as both a citrus flavor enhancer and a tenderizing agent.
- Chipotle peppers - in adobo sauce provide smoky, spicy notes along with a sweet tomato-vinegar base. Adjust the number of pepper pods based on your heat preference.
- Pineapple - Instead of dealing with whole pineapple, simplify by using canned chunk pineapple, roasted for convenience.
- Include achiote paste for its earthy, peppery flavor and vibrant red hue, essential for authenticity!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Rita's Tip
This al pastor chicken isn't inherently spicy. However, if you're sensitive to spices or heat, you can omit one or two chipotle chiles from the can. This modification will ensure a milder flavor profile.
📋Tips
- For added heat, include more chipotle chiles in the marinade.
- For juicier results, I always recommend using chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- I highly recommend marinating chicken for at least 5 hours for flavors to absorb.
- To prevent overcooking and ensure juicy chicken, use a meat thermometer.
What To Serve With Chicken Al Pastor
Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Place leftover chicken al pastor in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it can be kept for up to 4 days.
- 🥶Freezing. Transfer the cooled chicken al pastor to a freezer bag or container, where it can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to use, defrost by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or by submerging the freezer bag/container in room temperature water for 20-25 minutes.
- To reheat - in the skillet or use oven on lower heat setting.
📖Recipe
Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe
Create this quick and delicious Chipotle copycat Chicken Al Pastor for an easy make ahead dinner. Marinate chicken thighs in a zesty, earthy, and slightly spicy blend - perfect for burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and beyond.
Ingredients
For Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups finely diced pineapple, fresh or canned
For Al Pastor Marinade
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 chipotle peppers, from a can packed in adobo sauce
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, or honey, or agave
- 1 tablespoon achiote paste
- 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
For Serving (optional)
- pickled red onions
- black beans
- rice
- radish
- avocado
- lime
Instructions
- Prepare the al pastor marinade and marinate the chicken. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.3 cloves garlic, 3 chipotle peppers, ½ cup orange juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon achiote paste, 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Place the chicken thighs and thinly sliced yellow onion in a large bowl. Pour the al pastor marinade over them and toss well to coat. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours or overnight (preferred).½ yellow onion, 1 ½ pounds boneless
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, positioning the rack in the center. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup if desired.
- Bake the chicken. Transfer the marinated chicken and onions to the prepared baking sheet. Add the diced pineapple to the baking sheet and toss everything together, ensuring the pineapple is coated with the marinade. Bake for 15 minutes until the chicken is almost cooked through. Remove the chicken from the oven to chop and preheat the broiler.2 cups finely diced pineapple
- Dice the chicken. Carefully chop the partially cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board. Return the chopped chicken to the baking sheet.
- Broil crispy chicken al pastor. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and broil for 4-5 minutes, turning the pan halfway through, until the al pastor chicken is browned and slightly crisp.
- Serve! Serve the al pastor in tortillas for tacos or in a bowl with rice, pickled red onions and beans for burrito bowls.pickled red onions, black beans, rice
Notes
- You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs. Just ensure they are pounded flat or butterflied for even cooking. If using breasts, you can skip the broiling step to avoid drying them out.
- Nutritional information is provided excluding toppings.
- Leftover chicken al pastor can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 1643kcalCarbohydrates: 112gProtein: 137gFat: 73gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 401mgSodium: 4102mgPotassium: 3448mgFiber: 15gSugar: 79gVitamin A: 2871IUVitamin C: 229mgCalcium: 211mgIron: 19mg
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🥘 How To Make Al Pastor Chicken Step By Step
- Combine all the marinade ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Place the chicken thighs and thinly sliced yellow onion in a large bowl. Pour the al pastor marinade over them and toss well to coat. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours or overnight (preferred).
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, positioning the rack in the center. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup if desired. Transfer the marinated chicken and onions to the prepared baking sheet. Add the diced pineapple to the baking sheet and toss everything together, ensuring the pineapple is coated with the marinade.
- Bake for 15 minutes until the chicken is almost cooked through. Remove the chicken from the oven to chop and preheat the broiler.
- Dice the chicken. Carefully chop the partially cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board. Return the chopped chicken to the baking sheet.
- Broil crispy chicken al pastor. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and broil for 4-5 minutes, turning the pan halfway through, until the al pastor chicken is browned and slightly crisp.
- Serve! Serve al pastor in tortillas for tacos or in a bowl with rice and beans for burrito bowls.
Rita
these al pastor chicken thighs roasted in oven are delicious to serve in burrito bowls, wraps, tacos or just simply with rice!