Mexican Chicken Recipe

Let's get dinner on the table in 30 minutes...

I've got a Mexican chicken recipe you are going to love if you enjoy a little citrus, sweet and chipotle flavor on your grilled chicken.

I adapted this recipe from the "Clean Eating Magazine" and changed it up just a bit. I've increased the sauce (because the sauce really makes it) changed the spices just a bit, and added garlic.

Even though this recipe is considered healthy (don't let that scare you off) it's got a lot of flavor from all of the seasonings.

So try this out tonight. It's very easy to prepare. The only thing you will need to add is a vegetable and/or a salad. You will have a healthy delicious dinner on the table in 30 minutes.

If you like a more spicy hot meal, you can substitute the 3/4 tsp of ground chipotle chile with 1 or more tbsp chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.

Orange and Chipotle Mexican Chicken Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

The rub
• 3/4 tsp. ground chipotle chile seasoning, I used Spice Islands
• 1 1/4 tsp ground chile powder
• 3/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
The Sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• 4 Tbsp plus 1 tsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp orange zest
The chicken
• 2 tsp. of vegetable or coconut oil
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast, rinsed and patted dry, pounded 1/2-inch thick
The Rice
• 2 cups cooked brown rice or cilantro lime rice.
• fresh cilantro, chopped, to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Rinse and pat dry the chicken breast. I like to place a piece of saran plastic wrap on the bottom and top of the breast before I pound them. This keeps things cleaner.

Once covered in plastic, pound the chicken until it's about 1/2 inch thick. This will ensure quick, even cooking.

At this point, either cook some brown rice according to package directions or prepare the cilantro lime rice recipe.

If you are making the brown rice, substitute 1/4 cup orange juice for 1/4 cup of the water you would use to cook the rice. Add the salt and cook as per directions on the package. When the rice is done, add the chopped cilantro and fluff the rice. Keep warm.

Back to the Chicken…

In a small bowl mix together the chipotle chile seasoning, the chile powder, ground cumin, and salt.

Lay the chicken breast out on a plate in a single layer. Sprinkle the chile spices over the chicken. Turn the chicken over and sprinkle the rest of the spice over all. Rub in all the spices.

Preheat a cast iron pan over medium high heat. Add the oil and tilt the pan to coat the entire pan. Add the chicken and cook approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side or until the chicken is no longer pink inside.

Using a cast iron pan will brown the chicken nicely and impart some really nice flavor. By now you know that I'm always looking to enhance the flavor of foods.

Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Turn the heat on the pan to low.

Add just a drop of oil to the pan and add the garlic and saute for just one minute.

Add the orange juice and maple syrup and stir constantly for a minute. Add the orange zest and stir.

Add the chicken back to the pan. Turn the heat back up to medium and stir for an additional minute to make sure the chicken is hot.

Serve this healthy Mexican chicken recipe over rice and spoon extra sauce over the chicken. Add a salad and dinner is served.

Enjoy!

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