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EASY Baja Chipotle Marinade

Warm weather has arrived, summer IS coming and I can’t wait to fire up the grill.  Along with BBQ season comes marinades, and this Baja Chipotle Marinade is versatile and delicious.   It’s also easy to make, stores well, and can be used to make sauces and dressings too!

I really like the smokiness and a touch of heat from the Chipotles in adobo, which are then balanced out with sweetness from honey AND brown sugar.  Add in a squeeze of lime and cilantro for freshness and you’ve got the perfect marinade.

Can I leave out the cilantro?

You can of course, especially if you have someone in your family like I do that thinks it tastes like soap.   You can try using 1 tsp of dried coriander which is similar, but doesn’t add the same freshness.  If you omit the cilantro, I would recommend adding in an extra tablespoon or so of lime so that the Baja Chipotle Marinade isn’t too sweet.

Can I make Baja Chicken ahead of time?

You definitely can!  It will keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.  I like to use a glass jar that has a pourable lid for easy storage, and usage.  No messy spills here thank you very much! I highly recommend marinating your protein of choice at least 2 hours, but for superb results its best marinating overnight.  Even better?  Make the marinade, pour over raw chicken, pork or shrimp and freeze.   The Baja Chipotle Marinade will then really have a chance to flavour and tenderize the meat as it defrosts.

Baja Chipotle Marinade

loveonaplate

Make a batch of this marinade to keep on-hand this summer. Excellent on chicken, pork or shrimp, simply marinate and grill for a delicious, no fuss meal.

4.37 from 11 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Marinating 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Marinade

Cuisine Southwestern

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves fresh garlic peeled
• 2 tablespoon honey
• 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 2 Tablespoon chipotle chiles in adobo roughly chopped
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro thoroughly washed
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.
• Use to marinate chicken, pork or shrimp

Prepaheadable Instructions

• Prepare marinade and store in an airtight jar in the fridge for upto a month. The vinegar in the adobo sauce acts as a preservative.
• In a large freezer bag, pour marinade onto protein of choice, chicken, shrimp or pork . Store in the fridge for up to 4 days (2 for shrimp) or place in freezer.
• Don't forget to label the bag with the date, the name of the recipe, and either the prep instructions or where to find the prep instructions.

Notes

This makes enough marinade for about 3 lbs of protein. The average chicken breast is ABOUT 3/4 of a pound. Use any additional marinade to baste your protein as you cook.

This marinade will keep for 2 weeks stored covered in the refrigerator.

Keyword Baja, Chipotle, Marinade

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