Qdoba Chicken Recipe

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Our Qdoba chicken recipe is a delicious and flavorful chicken recipe featuring tender chicken thighs infused with the smoky heat of chipotle chilies and the bright tang of fresh lime juice. With just a few simple ingredients and some easy preparation steps, you can recreate the bold and zesty flavors of your favorite Mexican-inspired restaurant dish right in your own kitchen.

Trust me, this recipe is super easy and quick to make, so you’ll have dinner on the table in no time. And the best part is that it’s packed with flavor, so even the pickiest eaters will love it.

Dinner just got easier with this copycat Qdoba chicken on board along with Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas and Beef Enchilada Casserole.

Table of Contents

What Kind of Chicken is Best?

You cannot go wrong with chicken thighs when making a chicken recipe like this one. The tenderness of the chicken blows everyone away!

However, you can easily swap for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins if that is what you have on hand or prefer.

The major difference between different cuts of chicken is the total fat content. Chicken thighs will be higher in fat compared to chicken breasts, which also explains why thighs are more tender and flavorful. Regardless of the cut you choose, you can feel confident that you are providing a food rich in protein to your family.

What Are Qdoba Bowls Made Of?

One of the best things about making Qdoba chicken is being able to incorporate it into many recipes – from tacos and burritos to nachos and quesadillas. A family favorite is making Qdoba bowls and adding all the toppings!

Here are Qdoba bowl toppings to consider:

Pico de Gallo
Guacamole
Sour cream
Cheese
Shredded lettuce
Sliced black olives
Diced onion
Black beans
Roasted corn

Is Qdoba Chicken Too Spicy For Kids?

Nope! It is a kid friendly recipe that even picky eaters will request time and time again.

If you have kids at home sensitive to spice, have no fear, you can still make this recipe to their liking. While the Qdoba chicken marinade contains chili peppers, you have complete control on how much juice you want to add. You also have the option to rinse the chilis under water to remove all the excess juice.

The chipotle peppers in adobo sauce gives the chicken the flavor profile that we all crave. The smoky flavors combined with the Qdoba chicken seasoning is what makes this recipe the best!

chicken thighs, olive oil, spices, peppers, garlic and a lime displayed

Ingredients

2.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs ✅
4 tablespoon olive oil divided
1/2 medium lime juiced
2 chilies from a can of Chipotle chilies ✅ rinsed and chopped
1 teaspoon chili sauce from a can of Chipotle chilies
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon chili powder ✅
2 teaspoons cumin ✅
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ✅
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

raw chicken between two pieces of parchment paper next to a kitchen mallet

How To Make Qdoba Chicken

Place the chicken thighs on a piece of parchment paper then top them with another piece of parchment.

Pound the chicken thin with a kitchen mallet. Next, cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place into the ziplock bag.

Make the marinade

In a mixing bowl combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lime juice, chopped chilies, the juice from the can of chilies (skip for less spice), garlic, chili powder, cumin, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour onto the chicken.

Seal the bag then mix well using your hands, making sure each piece of chicken is coated. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.

chili pepper marinade in a measuring cup

Cook

In a large skillet heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Place enough chicken into the pan to cover the bottom in a single layer.

Make the chicken in batches if needed. Cook for 6 minutes over medium heat undisturbed. Use a flipper to flip the chicken and stir it around the pan for an additional minute.

Serve

Serve as is or in a chicken bowl or burrito as they do at Qdoba.

How To Serve Qdoba Chicken

This recipe wouldn’t be complete without mentioning our favorite side dishes to serve with Qdoba chicken.

Pick any of these ideas to serve in a Qdoba chicken bowl or right alongside:

Up next, we will be featuring this chicken in our Homemade Gluten-Free Tortillas paired with roasted corn and Spanish rice. It is time we take Taco Tuesday to a new level!

top down shot of chicken pieces in a skillet

Ways To Use Leftovers

Toss right into a Qdoba chicken burrito, taco, quesadilla or chicken bowl. Add any desired topping and you have the quickest dinner meal at your fingertips.

The chicken can also be served chilled on top of a salad or stuffed in a chicken wrap with lettuce, Pico de Gallo and guacamole. That right there makes the perfect lunch whether heading to the office or working from home.

Tips for Cooking Chicken Bites

Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Always insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken when temping.
Customize the flavor profile of chicken by adjusting the amount of chili juice that you pour into the chicken marinade. The more you add, the spicier the chicken will be! If you are hesitant to serve a spicy meal, you can rinse the chilis in a colander to reduce the level of spice.
Use a large skillet so the chicken pieces can spread into a single layer in the pan. Cook chicken in batches if needed.
Once chicken is added to the hot skillet, let it cook undisturbed. Chicken should easily lift from the bottom of the pan when it is ready to flip.
Let the oil heat in the pan over medium heat before adding the chicken as this helps create the desired char on the chicken.
For a stronger flavor, let the chicken marinate in the fridge overnight.

top down view of qdoba chicken on a platter

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make ahead?

Absolutely! You can make the entire recipe a day in advance then reheat for dinner the next evening or you can make the marinade in advance and let the chicken marinate overnight. Right before dinner, cook the chicken then serve.

How long does it take to cook Qdoba chicken?

After the chicken marinates, it takes under 15 minutes to cook the chicken. To speed up the cooking process, you can cut the chicken into smaller pieces.

Why make copycat Qdoba chicken at home?

Besides the obvious reason that you can customize the flavors to your preference, making homemade Qdoba copycat chicken can be more affordable and gives you full control over the ingredients and preparation methods. You can make a tasty restaurant-style meal while also meeting the dietary needs of your family.

How to make Qdoba chicken for a crowd?

Double or triple the recipe! Buying chicken in bulk, marinating then cooking in batches is the best way to cook for a big group. You can keep the chicken warm by storing in a heated crockpot for your guests to scoop as desired.

qdoba chicken in bowl with rice and beans

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Chicken thighs are sold in all different shapes and sizes, which is why it is important to pound thin for this recipe. We want the chicken to cook evenly so each piece is tender and juicy. Using a kitchen mallet is an easy way to pound chicken quickly. The parchment paper that we use helps to keep the chicken from splatting on the counter. You can also place the chicken in a Ziploc bag and roll with a rolling pin until it is thin if a mallet isn’t available.
Our Qdoba chicken marinade helps to add a ton of flavor to the chicken. Marinades can be used instead of sauces for flavor. The key is letting the protein (like the chicken) sit in the mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the flavors to infuse into the meat. The longer that the chicken sits, the stronger the flavor will be so if looking for extra flavorful chicken, let it sit in the marinade overnight in the fridge.
The chicken in this recipe needs to be cooked in a single layer in the pan. This helps with even cooking and ensures the chicken is safely cooked. Before removing from the pan, always temp with a meat thermometer. The chicken is ready to serve when the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees. You don’t want to cook chicken any longer once you reach this safe temperature because it could cause the chicken to become dry and tough to chew.

Storing Instructions

Store leftover Qdoba chicken in the fridge for up to 5 days in a covered container. Make sure the lid is secure to prevent the chicken from drying out. After the 5th day, you will want to discard the chicken for food safety concerns.

A great option if looking to meal prep is to consider freezing leftover chicken by making a double batch. That second batch can be cooled once cooked then placed in the freezer for future meals. You will be thankful on those busy weeks when you don’t have time to be in the kitchen.

To freeze, place chicken in a freezer safe container or Ziploc bag once it has completely cooled. Press out all of the air from the Ziploc and make sure it is tightly sealed to prevent freezer burn. Store up to 3 months.

A freezer tip is splitting the leftovers into individual portions, which will allow you to pull out the exact amount you need for future meals.

Reheating Instructions

Place in a microwave safe bowl with a splash of water or broth to reheat in 30-second increments.

Do not microwave frozen leftovers as it will result in uneven reheating and dried out chicken. We only use the microwave to reheat when short on time as the oven is our preferred reheating method to keep the chicken from drying out.

Reheating in the oven locks in the moisture to keep the chicken juicy and tender. The chicken can be added straight from the fridge to the oven. However, frozen chicken should be thawed overnight or for a minimum of 6 hours in the fridge then reheated.

Start by preheating the oven to 325 degrees then place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet or dish (spread out so they aren’t touching). Bake for 7-10 minutes or until heated through.

More Easy Chicken Recipes To Try

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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