Grilled Chipotle Ranch Chicken

I wanted to take a break from the usual Grilled Chicken Breast and craft a bolder version that I could use for my favorite Mexican recipes. So, I fired up the grill and created this Grilled Chipotle Ranch Chicken as the smoky, spicy solution to my grilled chicken dilemma.

The kids dipped theirs in the extra marinade I set aside, my husband stuffed his into tortillas, and I had mine sliced over salad. Everyone was happy, and now it's a weekly staple! The smoky chipotle paired with tangy ranch and creamy yogurt is a match made in heaven, whether you serve it hot off the grill or chilled from the fridge.

Before You Get Started

Here's everything you need to know before you get started on this recipe:

• Go easy on the chipotle: Chipotle peppers can be spicy. Start with half a pepper or just a spoonful of adobo sauce if you're heat-sensitive. You can always add more after blending.
• Use chicken cutlets: Slicing the chicken breasts horizontally helps them cook evenly and quickly on the grill without drying out.
• Marinate in advance: This chicken tastes even better when it's marinated for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best for maximum flavor.
• Don't skip the sauce split: Only marinate with half the sauce and save the other half for serving. This keeps the sauce fresh and safe to eat.

What is Chipotle?

Chipotle flavor comes from smoked, dried jalapeño peppers. It's earthy, smoky, and slightly spicy, not overwhelming but bold enough to stand out. The peppers are often packed in a tangy tomato-based sauce called adobo, which adds extra depth and heat. You'll find chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in small cans, usually in the Hispanic or international foods section of most grocery stores. They're super versatile. Just one pepper (or even a spoonful of the sauce) can add tons of flavor to marinades, sauces, and dips.

How to Make Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken

Here's a quick rundown of how to make this recipe:

1. Make the Sauce

Blend the yogurt, chipotle, ranch seasoning, and vinegar until smooth. Taste and adjust for heat.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Pour half the sauce over the chicken and let it marinate in the fridge. Save the rest for serving.

Pro tip: Marinate for at least an hour, but longer is better for deeper flavor. Also, if your chicken breasts are super thick, make sure to pound them to an even thickness before marinating.

3. Grill the Chicken

Cook the chicken on a grill or grill pan until it's golden and fully cooked.

No grill? No problem: Use a cast iron skillet or grill pan indoors for the same charred effect. You can also air fry the chicken at 375ºF in a single layer for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Variations, Tips, and Substitutions

Here are a couple of ways to change up this recipe to better suit your needs:

• Dairy swap: Sub sour cream or regular plain yogurt if Greek yogurt isn't available.
• Homemade ranch seasoning: Instead of store-bought ranch seasoning, make it homemade with 6 simple ingredients!

How to Serve Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken

Here are some of our favorite ways to serve this grilled chicken recipe:

• Bowls: Slice the chicken and serve it on a bed of grains with your favorite toppings and make Chipotle Ranch Chicken Bowls!
• Salads: Pile the chicken onto a bed of greens with a drizzle of the extra marinade (that hasn't touched raw chicken) along with your favorite toppings.
• Tacos: Grab some warm corn or flour tortillas, black beans, Guacamole, cherry tomatoes, and pile in the chicken for smoky, spicy chicken tacos!
• Burritos: Pile the chicken into burrito shells with Mexican rice, sour cream, cherry tomatoes or red salsa, shredded lettuce, some extra chipotle marinade, Blackened Corn, and whatever else you like!
• As a main dish: Pair it with Mexican rice and avocado cucumber salsa or creamy Mexican coleslaw.

Storage and Reheating

Here's how to store, reheat, and prep the chicken ahead of time:

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. The marinade will last in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in 30-second bursts. If frozen, let the chicken thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Make ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store the sauce separately.
• Leftover Ideas: Slice and use in tacos or wraps, or chop and toss with greens for a smoky chicken salad!