Baked Garibaldi Mexican Barbecue Chicken with Smoky Chipotle Sauce
Juicy chicken baked with a smoky chipotle barbecue sauce inspired by Mexican flavors, served with fresh cilantro and lime. This mexican-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 4 lime wedges
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a blender, combine 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Step 2: Place 6 bone-in chicken thighs in a large baking dish. Brush both sides generously with 2 tbsp olive oil, then coat evenly with the chipotle barbecue sauce.
- Step 3: Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, basting with extra sauce halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and skin is slightly caramelized.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve with 4 lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Garibaldi Mexican Barbecue Chicken with Smoky Chipotle Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Garibaldi Mexican Barbecue Chicken with Smoky Chipotle Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Garibaldi Mexican Barbecue Chicken with Smoky Chipotle Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Garibaldi Mexican Barbecue Chicken with Smoky Chipotle Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Garibaldi Mexican Barbecue Chicken with Smoky Chipotle Sauce?
Mexican chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
