Chipotle Mexican Grill is known for its delicious burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads made with high-quality ingredients. One of the most popular proteins offered at Chipotle is chicken. Customers can choose between grilled adobo chicken or braised barbacoa chicken. But what gives Chipotle’s chicken its distinct flavor? The answer lies in the adobo and barbacoa seasonings used to marinate and cook the chicken.
Adobo Chicken
The grilled adobo chicken at Chipotle gets its flavor from an adobo sauce. Adobo is a traditional Mexican marinade made from chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, salt, and various spices. Chipotle makes their adobo sauce in-house using a blend of ancho chilies, chipotle chilies, crushed garlic, Mexican oregano, black pepper, cumin, and apple cider vinegar. This mixture of ingredients gives the adobo chicken its characteristic smoky-sweet flavor with a subtle heat.
To make the adobo chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts are marinated in the adobo sauce overnight. This allows the chicken to fully soak up all the flavors. The next day, the chicken is grilled so it develops a nice char while retaining its juices. Once cooked, the adobo chicken is chopped into smaller pieces and served in tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads.
The adobo sauce permeates the chicken, making it juicy and full of spice and tangy flavors. Customers love the savory-sweet taste combined with a touch of heat from the ancho and chipotle chilies. The adobo chicken has a depth of flavor that keeps customers coming back for more.
Barbacoa Chicken
For customers seeking a richer, more tender chicken option, Chipotle offers braised barbacoa chicken. Real barbacoa is traditionally made by slowly cooking meat wrapped in maguey leaves in a pit oven. While Chipotle doesn’t use that exact cooking method, their barbacoa chicken captures the classic flavors.
To make the barbacoa chicken, chicken thighs are marinated overnight in a blend of chili peppers, garlic, Mexican oregano, cumin, and apple cider vinegar. The chicken is then braised in the marinade along with bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, and chipotle peppers. Braising gently cooks the chicken at a low temperature to achieve ultimate tenderness while infusing it with layers of spice.
The barbacoa chicken is shredded after cooking so it has a stringy, pulled texture. The flavor is richer and more complex than the adobo chicken. There are notes of sweetness, acidity, smokiness, and warmth from the blend of dried chili peppers. The chicken has a very soft, falling-apart texture that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients in a Chipotle burrito or bowl.
So What’s the Verdict?
While both the adobo chicken and barbacoa chicken have signature Chipotle flavors, they differ in terms of texture and overall taste profile:
- Adobo chicken is grilled so it has a lightly charred exterior with a juicy interior. The flavor highlights the smoky adobo seasoning.
- Barbacoa chicken is slowly braised so it shreds easily. The flavor has deeper, richer notes from the pepper blend.
No matter which chicken you choose, you can’t go wrong! Both are made fresh daily using classic Mexican ingredients and cooking techniques. The chicken options at Chipotle pack an amazing depth of flavor not found at many other quick service restaurants. So next time you’re at Chipotle, don’t forget to try the savory adobo chicken or succulent barbacoa chicken in your meal!
Nutrition Information
For those looking to make a healthy choice, Chipotle’s chicken is a great source of lean protein without too much saturated fat. Here’s a nutrition comparison of Chipotle’s two chicken options:
| Chicken Type | Calories | Fat (g) | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobo Chicken (4 oz) | 140 | 3 | 27 | 2 |
| Barbacoa Chicken (4 oz) | 170 | 6 | 28 | 3 |
Chipotle’s chicken is an excellent source of protein with about 25-30 grams per serving. Both options are relatively low in saturated fat and carbohydrates. The barbacoa chicken contains slightly more calories and fat since it is braised in its marinade. But overall, you can feel good choosing Chipotle’s responsibly raised chicken as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chipotle’s chicken spicy?
Chipotle’s chicken has a mild spicy kick thanks to the adobo and barbacoa seasoning blends. The chicken is not overly spicy but you can taste hints of chili peppers, especially the chipotle pepper. Customers who prefer more mild flavors may want to avoid the barbacoa chicken as it contains a few more spicy dried peppers.
Is the chicken at Chipotle organic and natural?
All of Chipotle’s chicken as well as other meats are naturally raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics. The chickens are fed a vegetarian diet and are humanely raised. However, Chipotle’s chicken is not organic. But you can rest assured the chicken is natural and of high quality.
Does Chipotle marinate their chicken?
Yes, marinating is key to Chipotle’s flavorful chicken. Both the adobo and barbacoa chicken are marinated overnight in their respective sauce blends. This allows the chicken to fully soak up the spices and aromatics for maximum flavor.
What sauce is on the chicken at Chipotle?
The chicken is marinated and cooked in the adobo or barbacoa sauce so the flavor is already absorbed. No additional sauce is added once it is grilled or braised. However, you can add toppings like salsa, cheese, and sour cream to add more flavor and moisture when ordering your meal.
Can I order the chicken mild at Chipotle?
Unfortunately no, Chipotle does not offer their chicken in a mild version. The adobo and barbacoa chicken are pre-seasoned using Chipotle’s signature spice blends. But you can request less of the spicy salsas like the red chili salsa or tomatillo green salsa to tone down the heat.
Copycat Adobo Chicken Recipe
Love the signature adobo chicken flavor but don’t have access to a Chipotle? Try making this easy copycat recipe at home!
Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp Mexican oregano
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients except the chicken. Whisk together to form a smooth marinade.
- Add the chicken thighs and turn to evenly coat in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours up to overnight.
- Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side until cooked through and charred.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade Chipotle adobo chicken!
Conclusion
Chipotle serves up delicious chicken full of authentic Mexican flavors. The adobo chicken imparts a smoky, spicy taste thanks to its namesake marinade while the barbacoa chicken has a rich, tender texture from braising. Both options pack a flavor punch you won’t find at standard fast food chains. Whether you’re a Chipotle fan or just curious about the menu, trying the adobo or barbacoa chicken is a must. And with this copycat recipe, you can bring that savory Chipotle chicken flavor home anytime.
