Grilled Chipotle Chicken is a sweet and spicy BBQ must. Chicken drumsticks are brushed with a chipotle honey sauce and grilled to perfection.
If you are looking for the perfect sweet n’ spicy dish to serve at your next backyard BBQ, cookout or potluck, look no further than this Grilled Chipotle Chicken. With the help of chipotle peppers in adobo and honey these chicken legs are sticky, sweet, spicy and full of smoky flavor.
All you need is a little time and patience because as with any good marinade, this chicken gets better the longer that it has to sit. Plan on refrigerating it for at least 2 hours before cooking.
Let’s talk about what you need to make it:
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Ingredients:
One of my favorite things about making this Grilled Chipotle Chicken, aside from the ridiculously good flavor, is the fact that you’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make it.
- CHICKEN: We opt for chicken drumsticks in this house for a couple of reasons. One chicken drumsticks are dark meat so they have more flavor and stay juicier than chicken breasts. Two, they are really easy to eat because you can hold them with your hands. No knives or forks needed which means they are perfect for BBQs.
- CHIPOTLE PEPPERS IN ADOBO: Chipotle peppers in a adobo are smoked jalapeños so they can pack a lot of heat. I have made this recipe using the entire can and believe me it is spicy. If you are concerned about spice, I’d start with 2 – 3 chipotle peppers and work your way up.
- HONEY: Honey is going to sweeten the chipotle sauce and balance out the heat.
- VINEGAR: Adds a bit of acidity.
- GARLIC: To add a subtle garlic flavor to the sauce.
- LIME: Chipotle and lime are a match made in heaven. The brightness of the lime pairs perfectly with the smokiness of the chipotle.
- SALT
Step by Step Photos and Instructions:
The hardest part about making this Grilled Chipotle Chicken is waiting for the chicken to marinade. As I mentioned above, you’re going to want to plan on at least 2 hours chill time. Follow along with these step by step photos and instructions.
Make the honey chipotle sauce. 
Marinate chicken in 1/ 2 of the marinade. Reserve other half for brushing on chicken as grilling. 
Grill chicken.
- STEP #1: Combine the chipotle peppers, honey, vinegar, garlic, lime and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in the food processor. Process until it becomes a paste.
- STEP #2: Pat dry the chicken and season lightly with salt. Pour 1/2 of the sauce over the chicken and turn it to make sure all of the chicken is coated. Reserve the other half of the sauce. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours.
- STEP #3: Preheat the grill to 400 degrees. Turn off one half of the grill so that you can cook the chicken over indirect heat. Place chicken on the side of the grill that is not on, brush with some of the sauce. Cook for 15 minutes. Turn brush with sauce once more. Cook another 15 minutes.
- STEP #4: Move chicken to cook over direct heat for 5 minutes or until browned to your liking and cooked through. A meat thermometer will reach 165 degrees when chicken is fully cooked.
Recipe FAQ:
Indirect cooking is a grilling technique where whatever you are grilling is not directly over the flame. Instead the food cooks via the hot air circulating around the food.
Chipotle peppers are jalapeños that have been dried and smoked. They are as hot as typical jalapeños. It is common in Mexican and Mexican-Inspired dishes.
Want more chicken recipes? Check these out!
Deep Fried Chicken Wings are one of the most popular recipes on my blog and for good reason. They are the best fried chicken wings you’ll ever make!
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo is a Filipino classic and a family favorite!
Greek Grilled Chicken is loaded with flavors of oregano, garlic and lemon. Light and perfect for summer!
Note: This post was originally published in 2010. Updated in 2023 with new photos, nutrition information, and a slightly modified recipe.
Servings
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 5 chipotle peppers in adobo
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for seasoning chicken)
Instructions
- Combine chipotle peppers, honey, vinegar, garlic, lime and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor. Process until it becomes a paste.
Place chicken in a glass dish, lightly season with salt. Reserve 1/2 of the marinade and set aside. Spread remaining marinade over chicken and turn to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preheat the grill to 400 degrees. Turn off one half of the grill so that you can cook the chicken over indirect heat. Place chicken on the side of the grill that is not on, brush with some of the sauce. Cook for 15 minutes. Turn brush with sauce once more. Cook another 15 minutes.
Move chicken to cook over direct heat for 5 minutes or until browned to your liking and cooked through. A meat thermometer will reach 165 degrees when chicken is fully cooked.
- Transfer to a serving platter and serve hot.
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This recipe is a keeper! I marinated them overnight and they were so delicious! I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes. This chicken was one of the best we’ve ever had on the grill. Thanks!!
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I was deciding between this recipe and another for honey mustard chicken for dinner last night. I chose this one ’cause I was craving something spicy, and it is super fast to put together. Plus, I was so excited to pull the BBQ out for the first time this year.
I made a great choice! This chicken was fantastic, and VERY spicy. I loved it, the spicier the better! I served it along with some sour cream (to cut out the spice a little for the man) and diced avocados – that was a yummy combo. Also had caramelized onions and mushrooms on the side, SO good eaten with the chicken. Great dinner, I’m already planning on making it again!
Thank you everyone for your comments! :) Jackie- you could cook try baking them. I’d preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the chicken in a baking dish and cover it with foil and cook for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil, brush on the left over chipotle sauce, and continue cooking for 15 – 20 minutes. Hope this helps!
Hi Des
I do not have a grill, is there any other way I could make this dish.
I personally love spicy stuff. I haven’t bbq’d chicken in a long time. Looks like this may be on this weekends menu!
I saw it on Tastepotting. Gosh, it looks so good!
I love chipotle! I add it to veggie chilli and mayonaise, yum! Nice photo!
If it wasn’t because it’s 11pm, I’d start making this dish!! Chipotle is so delicious. Excellent post!
Carmen
Baking is my Zen
My mouth is watering.. the picture looks like I could reach right out and grab one of those legs! I love chipotle, I love bbq…gonna have to try this soon!
Looks like a great way to start grilling season!
Great pic, looks bangin’ Those chipotle chilis in adobo are fire! Great if you love heat. Well done.