Chipotle Fried Chicken
Skinless chicken thighs, adobo sauce and chipotle powder come together in this chicken — 70 minutes, 7 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 7 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and pan. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (5)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Gluten Dairy
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, adobo sauce, lime juice and half the chipotle powder, then add the chicken thighs and turn to coat; cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- In a separate shallow dish, combine the cornmeal, flour, remaining chipotle powder, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
- Lift each thigh from the marinade, letting the excess drip off, and dredge thoroughly in the seasoned cornmeal mixture, pressing so the coating sticks; set the coated pieces on a rack and rest for 10 minutes.
- Melt the vegetable shortening in a deep heavy skillet and heat it to 175 C, using a thermometer to keep the temperature steady.
- Fry the thighs in batches without crowding the pan for about 6 to 8 minutes per side, turning once, until the crust is deep golden and crisp.
- Check that the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 74 C at the thickest part; return any underdone pieces to the oil if needed.
- Drain the fried chicken on a wire rack set over paper towel and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle and the crust stays crisp.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Pan · Large pot · Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
- Lime
- lemon
Tips & common questions
How long does Chipotle Fried Chicken take to make?
About 70 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 12 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of butter?
Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Chipotle Fried Chicken is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Ultimate Bacon - Honest Fried Chicken with rosemary chips - Honest Burgers 2025-01-20.jpg (CC0) via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.