Go Back
+ servings
Spoonful of chipotle BBQ sauce from a glass jar, with a napkin on a white background.

Chipotle BBQ Sauce (Quick & Easy)

Print Recipe
Sweet, tangy, smokey, and just a little bit spicy, chipotle bbq sauce is perfect to serve up with chicken, slathered on ribs, poured over pulled pork, and as a marinade for just about anything. The best part is that it only takes a few minutes on the stovetop to thicken up!
Course Dressings & Sauces
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Keyword chipotle barbecue sauce, chipotle bbq sauce
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 112

Ingredients

  • cup ketchup
  • cup cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced chipotle in adobo
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

Sauce Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook on low for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from heat and taste, adjust seasoning as desired.
  • Allow to cool at room temperature, then use immediately or refrigerate, covered, for up to 5 days.

Chicken Marinade Instructions

  • Allow the sauce to cool completely.
  • To a zip-top bag or shallow baking dish add 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts along with ¾ cups sauce and toss to coat.
  • Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
  • Uncover and discard the marinade. Shake any excess marinade off the chicken.
  • Then grill over medium heat, flipping halfway through. Cook until the chicken thighs register 185F to 190F degrees or chicken breasts register 165F.
  • Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes, tented with foil. When ready to serve, slice against the grain and serve with remaining sauce.

Notes

This recipe yields about 1 cup of BBQ sauce (or about 6 servings).
For a vegan version, use maple syrup in place of honey (note that the sauce may be thinner than with honey).
For more ingredients & modifications, see the full blog post above.

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 697mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 551IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
QR Code linking back to recipe