The Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe delivers the rich, smoky flavors of Mexico that Qdoba is famous for, now in your own kitchen. Bursting with the tangy spice of salsa and chipotles, this slow cooked chicken turns out unbelievably moist and tender every time.

Why do I love this Qdoba inspired chicken recipe so much? For starters, it’s incredibly easy to make in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, with just a few ingredients. While the chicken is simmering away, the house fills up with mouthwatering aromas of chili powder, cilantro and warm spices. Finally, the results are amazing – juicy, fall-off-the bone chicken coated in a luscious adobo sauce that makes fantastic tacos, burritos, enchiladas or rice bowls.

Why You’ll Love This Qdoba Adobo Chicken

This easy Qdoba copycat recipe recreates the incredible flavors of their famous adobo chicken. Smoky chipotles, zesty salsa and spices infuse the chicken as it slowly simmers into tender, succulent perfection. Bursting with Mexican inspired spices like garlic, chili powder and cumin, every bite of this chicken makes me think of the fresh, vibrant flavors at Qdoba that keep me coming back. This adobo chicken recipe pairs perfectly with Mexican rice, beans, avocado and all your other favorite taco toppings.

Overview of the Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

The Qdoba Grilled Adobo Chicken requires few ingredients and is easy to make. Thin boneless chicken breasts are pounded and marinated in garlic, olive oil, and adobo sauce. The chicken is then seasoned and grilled to perfection, giving it a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. The recipe can be modified to suit individual tastes, but the signature adobo sauce is a must for achieving the same great flavor as the original dish.

How to Make Qdoba Adobo Chicken

Making outstanding adobo chicken at home is easy with my recipe. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a flavor packed family meal with almost no effort.

Now let’s get into the detailed ingredients and instructions so you can recreate Qdoba’s famous adobo chicken tonight!

Adobo Chicken Ingredients

• 1/2 cup salsa (your favorite – I like using a chunky, restaurant style salsa)
• 2 Tbsp chopped chipotles in adobo sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2-3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Kitchen Tools Needed

• Slow cooker or Instant Pot
• Large bowl for mixing sauce
• Spatula for shredding cooked chicken

Step-by-Step Adobo Chicken Recipe Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the salsa, chopped chipotle peppers, salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder until thoroughly combined
2. Add the chicken broth and stir again to fully blend
3. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker and pour the adobo sauce all over the top, coating the chicken evenly
4. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours (or LOW for 8 hours), until the chicken is very tender and falls apart easily with a fork
5. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Mix the shredded chicken back in the leftover adobo cooking sauce.
6. Add shredded chicken to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas or rice bowls along with your favorite toppings!

Tips for Making Perfect Qdoba Adobo Chicken

• Look for chipotle peppers canned in adobo sauce at the grocery store for authentic flavor
• Chili powder adds warmth – add more if you like extra heat
• For food safety, discard any leftovers after 4 days in fridge

Now that you know how easy making copycat Qdoba chicken is, let’s look at some serving ideas and variations on this tasty recipe!

Adobo Chicken Serving Suggestions

The tasty shredded adobo chicken is extremely versatile for all kinds of delicious Mexican inspired meals and sides beyond just tacos and burritos.

• Qdoba Cilantro Lime Rice – Mix chicken with rice for a meal in one or with their brow rice.
• Burrito Bowls – Adobo chicken is fantastic in burrito bowls
• Enchiladas – For amazing enchiladas, wrap chicken in tortillas with cheese
• Tostadas – Pile chicken atop crispy tostada shells for a fresh take
• Quesadillas – Stuff chicken quesadillas with the adobo shredded chicken
• Salads – Top fresh greens with this protein packed chicken
• Nachos – For next level nachos, use this chicken and melted cheese

No matter which recipe you choose, this fantastic shredded chicken elevates any dish with restaurant worthy textures and flavors!

Variations on Adobo Chicken

If you like altering recipes to suit your tastes, trying new flavors or using up ingredients you have on hand, this flexible chicken recipe adapts wonderfully.

• Mexican Beer – For depth, replace chicken broth with Mexican beer
• Vegetables – Mix in sauteed peppers & onions with the chicken
• Spices – Tailor the heat level and flavors with your favorite dried spices
• Cheese – Stir shredded Mexican cheese varieties like queso fresco or Oaxaca into the chicken
• Herbs – Brighten up the chicken by mixing in chopped cilantro before serving
• Citrus – A squirt of lime adds freshness right before eating

Feel free to tweak this recipe to create your own signature version of insanely tasty adobo chicken inspired by Qdoba!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Chicken

With a recipe this delicious, chances are you’ll have leftover adobo chicken after your tacos and burritos. Here is how to store and reheat it safely.

• Let chicken cool completely after cooking, about 1 hour
• Store chicken and sauce in airtight container for up to 4 days
• Reheat gently in microwave, on stove or in oven until piping hot
• Add leftover chicken to salads, nachos, enchiladas and more all week long!

Having batches of this flavorful shredded chicken ready to go elevates everyday meals by adding a gourmet Qdoba inspired twist in an instant.

Health Benefits

Adobo chicken is not only tasty but also provides several health benefits that make it a great addition to any diet. Here are some of the benefits of consuming Adobo chicken:

Nutritional Information for the Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

The Qdoba Grilled Adobo Chicken recipe provides a good source of protein, fat, and sodium. 99 grams of serving size contains 9 grams of protein, meeting a significant portion of the daily value required for building and repairing body tissues. The fat content of the recipe is mainly from protein (42%) and fat (53%). The sodium content of Adobo, primarily from soy sauce, is high, so it’s essential to be mindful of its intake.

Health Advantages of Select Ingredients

Garlic and vinegar are some of the key ingredients used in making Adobo, which have several health benefits. Garlic has been found to promote heart health, with some studies suggesting that it may help to lower cholesterol levels. Additionally, garlic consumption has been linked to an increase in immunity-boosting properties. Vinegar has been found to help lower blood sugar levels, making it an ideal addition to a balanced diet for individuals with diabetes.

Overall, when prepared in a healthy way, Adobo chicken can be an excellent dish to add variety and nutritional value to one’s diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I serve this chicken with?

This versatile shredded chicken works well in anything from tacos, burritos and nachos to stuffed peppers, enchiladas, tostadas, salad and more.

What meat goes well with adobo sauce?

Chicken is classic, but pork also pairs fantastically with the deep flavors of adobo.

Is this recipe spicy?

It has a mild heat level from the chipotles and spices. Adjust amounts to suit your preferences.

Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Thighs work best since they stay so moist. Breasts tend to dry out in the slow cooker.

Now that you know everything about making copycat Qdoba adobo chicken at home, what are you waiting for? I hope you enjoy this easy recipe as much as my friends and family do any night of the week!

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Qdoba Adobo Chicken Copycat Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Become your own chef with this sensational copycat Qdoba adobo chicken recipe - simmer juicy thighs in a rich smoky adobo sauce until insanely tender for incredible tacos.

Print

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of your favorite salsa
• 2 tablespoons of chopped chipotles in adobo sauce
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of chili powder
• 1/4 cup of chicken broth
• 2 to 3 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the salsa, chopped chipotle peppers, salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder until thoroughly combined
2. Add the chicken broth and stir again to fully blend
3. Place the chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker and pour the adobo sauce all over the top, coating the chicken evenly
4. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours (or LOW for 8 hours), until the chicken is very tender and falls apart easily with a fork
5. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Mix the shredded chicken back in the leftover adobo cooking sauce.
6. Add shredded chicken to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas or rice bowls along with your favorite toppings!

Conclusion

This Qdoba inspired adobo chicken recipe delivers their signature flavors of smoky, spicy and vibrant Mexican cuisine right to your own kitchen. Chicken simmers in an incredible sauce until fall-apart tender and full of flavor. Shredded adobo chicken is extremely versatile for tacos, burritos, nachos, stuffed peppers, enchiladas and more.

With minimal ingredients and steps, anyone can recreate restaurant quality chicken for favorite meals any night of the week. The next time a craving strikes for Qdoba’s famous adobo chicken, try out this easy copycat recipe instead!