Copycat Chipotle® Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 ounce dried chipotle chile pepper
• 1 ounce dried ancho chile pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 red onion, cut into small chunks
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs

Directions

Place chipotle chile pepper and ancho chile pepper in a bowl; pour in water. Cover bowl and let sit until peppers are softened, at least 10 to 12 hours. Drain water and remove seeds from peppers.

Blend chile peppers, red onion, garlic, sea salt, cumin, oregano, and black pepper in a blender until a coarse paste forms; add olive oil and blend until marinade is smooth.

Pound chicken thighs flat with a meat mallet and trim excess skin. Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag and add marinade. Turn chicken several times to coat. Seal bag and marinate at least 8 hours.

Preheat an outdoor grill with top and bottom plates for medium-high heat. Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade.

Cook chicken on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 5 to 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Cut into strips.