If you’re craving a delicious sandwich with tons of flavor, this chipotle chicken sandwich recipe is just what you need. Juicy, marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection and paired with toasted brioche buns, fresh tomato slices, lettuce, and pepper jack cheese. Make this meal and you’ll want to make it again and again. And the best part? It’s an easy recipe that takes only 25 minutes to make and costs just $25 for a family of four. If you love Chipotle sauce, you should also check out my Quick & Easy Chipotle Beef Quesadillas!
If you love quick & delicious recipes, try my Creamy Garlic Chicken, my Beef Chili Garlic Noodles, or my Homemade Filet-O-Fish with Filet o Fish Sauce! And for another great grilled chicken recipe check out my Moroccan Chicken Skewers.
Why You’ll Love This Chipotle Chicken Sandwich
Affordable: Feed your family a restaurant-quality meal for just $25 for a family of four.
Bold Flavor: The chipotle pepper marinade delivers a smoky, slightly spicy kick that pairs perfectly with the lettuce and tangy tomatoes.
Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, this is the ultimate meal for busy weeknights.
Customizable: Swap out ingredients like ciabatta bread, sourdough bread, or even add smoky bacon for variety.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Sandwich Video
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Tips for the Best Chipotle Chicken Sandwich
Repurpose Leftovers: Use leftover chicken to make wraps, tacos, or salads for the next day.
Use a Meat Thermometer: A quick-read thermometer ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time.
Customize the Heat: Add a pinch of chipotle powder for extra spice or reduce the adobo sauce for a milder flavor.
Add Sides: Pair this delicious sandwich with sweet potato fries, a side of creamy coleslaw, or your favorite salad.
Ingredients for Grilled Chipotle Chicken Sandwich
Full recipe, instructions, and photos in the recipe card at the end of this post
Sandwich:
- 4 chicken thighs (or skinless chicken breasts as a great substitute)
- 4 toasted brioche buns, ciabatta rolls, or Italian bread
- Lettuce (romaine or iceberg)
- 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 4 slices pepper jack, gouda cheese, or your favorite variety
Chipotle Marinade:
- Olive oil for grilling
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 chipotle pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Quick Chipotle Sauce:
- ½ cup mayo
- 2 teaspoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchp
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers)
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
Make the Chipotle Marinade
- Using an immersion blender, combine mayonnaise, garlic, adobo sauce, chipotle pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, cumin, honey, and kosher salt. Blend until smooth to create a creamy chipotle marinade.
Marinate the Chicken
- Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or zip-top bag.
- Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Let marinate for a couple of minutes while you prepare the grill or make your homemade chipotle sauce if making it. Store bought chipotle sauce works as well.
Heat the Grill
- Preheat your grill or large skillet to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or pan with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Grill the Chicken
- Once the grill or pan are nice and heated, place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F (use a quick-read thermometer for accuracy).
- For nice grill marks, avoid moving the chicken too much while it cooks.
- I didn't want my cheese melted but if you do, during the last minute of grilling, place a slice of your cheese of choice on each piece of chicken to melt.
Toast the Buns
- Lightly toast the brioche buns or ciabatta bread on the grill or in a skillet with a little butter for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Assemble the Sandwiches
Close the sandwich and serve warm.
Spread the chipotle mayonnaise on the top and bottom halves of the buns.
Add a layer of lettuce and tomato slices to the bottom bun.
Place the grilled chicken with melted cheese on top!
Substitutes and Variations
Chicken Options: Use skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner option. Shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in the chipotle marinade works great in a pinch.
Cheese Choices: Swap for gouda cheese, cheddar or even Swiss for a unique twist.
Bread Alternatives: Substitute brioche buns with ciabatta bread, sourdough bread, or Italian bread for variety. Opt for lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
Extra Toppings: Add crispy smoky bacon, avocado slices, pickled jalapeños, or creamy coleslaw for extra texture and flavor.
Vegetarian Alternative: Replace the chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or crispy tofu for a vegetarian-friendly version.
FAQ
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! While grilling adds a smoky flavor, shredded rotisserie chicken can be used in a pinch. Toss it with the chipotle sauce for bold flavor.
What’s the best substitute for chicken thighs?
You can use skinless chicken breasts or even grilled portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
Can I make the marinade ahead of time?
Absolutely! The chipotle flavor deepens over time, so feel free to make the marinade up to 2 days in advance and store it in the fridge.
What kind of bread works best?
While toasted brioche buns are the classic choice, sourdough bread, ciabatta rolls, or Italian bread are all excellent options.
Can I cook this indoors?
Yes! Use a grill pan or large skillet over medium heat for similar results.
⭐️ Recipe
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
Sandwich
- 4 chicken thighs or skinless chicken breasts as a great substitute
- 4 toasted brioche buns ciabatta rolls, or Italian bread
- Lettuce romaine or iceberg
- 2 tomatoes thinly sliced
- 4 slices pepper jack gouda cheese, or your favorite variety
Chipotle Marinade
- Olive oil for grilling
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 chipotle pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Quick Chipotle Sauce
- ½ cup mayo
- 2 teaspoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchp
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
Make the Chipotle Marinade
- Using an immersion blender, combine mayonnaise, garlic, adobo sauce, chipotle pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, cumin, honey, and kosher salt. Blend until smooth to create a creamy chipotle marinade.
Marinate the Chicken
- Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or zip-top bag.
- Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Let marinate for a couple of minutes while you prepare the grill or make your homemade chipotle sauce if making it. Store bought chipotle sauce works as well.
Make Chipotle Sauce
- In a bowl, add your mayo, mustard, ketchup, Adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers), smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, salt (to taste) and mix.
Heat the Grill
- Preheat your grill or large skillet to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Grill the Chicken
- Once the grill or pan are heated, place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F (use a quick-read thermometer for accuracy).
- For nice grill marks, avoid moving the chicken too much while it cooks.
- I didn't want my cheese melted but if you do, during the last minute of grilling, place a slice of your cheese of choice on each piece of chicken to melt.
Toast the Buns
- Lightly toast the brioche buns or ciabatta bread on the grill or in a skillet with a little butter for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Assemble the Sandwiches
- Spread the chipotle mayonnaise on the top and bottom halves of the buns.
- Add a layer of lettuce and tomato slices to the bottom bun.
- Place the grilled chicken with melted (or not melted) cheese on top - close it up and enjoy!
Harry J. says
This looks amazing. Thank you as always