Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

We’ve made this Qdoba Adobo Chicken recipe so many times, and let me tell you-it really hits the spot. It tastes just like the one from the restaurant, and we’re super confident you’re gonna love it too. We’re keeping it simple, real, and super tasty.

Qdoba Adobo Chicken is a smoky, grilled chicken dish seasoned with adobo spices. It’s known for its juicy texture and bold, slightly spicy flavor, and is often used in burritos, bowls, or tacos.

Stick around, ‘cause we’re gonna show you how to make it step-by-step, plus give you tips to get that perfect flavor every single time.

What Does Qdoba Adobo Chicken Taste Like?

Qdoba Adobo Chicken is bold, smoky, and packed with flavor. The adobo sauce gives it a deep, rich taste with just the right amount of heat, while the garlic, cumin, and chili powder add a warm, savory kick. It’s juicy and tender, thanks to the olive oil marinade, and perfectly seasoned with hints of earthiness from oregano and a touch of pepper.

Qdoba Adobo Chicken

The flavor is slightly spicy but super balanced-not overpowering at all. Whether you chop it for a burrito or layer it in a bowl, it brings that signature Qdoba taste right to your kitchen. It’s comforting, flavorful, and seriously satisfying with every bite.

Ingredients Required for Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Qdoba Adobo Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pound them thin)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need

  1. Large bowl (or ziplock bag)
  2. Plastic wrap (if using a bowl)
  3. Large skillet or frying pan
  4. Tongs or spatula
  5. Cutting board
  6. Sharp knife

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinate Time: Minimum 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Yield: About 4 servings

Copycat Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

Simply follow the steps given below to make your Qdoba Adobo Chicken at home

1. Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl (or ziplock bag), combine the chicken, minced garlic, olive oil, adobo sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything so the chicken is fully coated.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes-or even better, overnight for deeper flavor.

Step by Step Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

2. Cook It Up
Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
Add the marinated chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown.

3. Let It Rest & Slice
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5–10 minutes. This keeps it juicy!
Then slice or chop into bite-sized pieces.

How to make Qdoba Adobo Chicken

4. Serve It Your Way
Toss it in a burrito, layer it in a rice bowl, or add it to your salad. However you eat it, it’s gonna be good.

Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Qdoba Adobo Chicken

1. Stuff It in a Burrito
Classic, right? Load it up with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, pico, guac, sour cream… the whole deal. It’s like Qdoba, but better, because you made it yourself!

2. Toss It Into a Bowl
We love making burrito bowls with this chicken. Start with a base of rice or quinoa, add beans, corn, lettuce, avocado, and top it all with some chipotle crema or your fave dressing.

3. Make Loaded Nachos
Ohhh yes-we’ve totally done this. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet, pile on shredded cheese and chopped adobo chicken, then bake it until melty. Top with jalapeños, salsa, sour cream… chef’s kiss.

4. Slide It Into Tacos
Simple, fast, and so good. Warm some soft tortillas and add sliced chicken, cabbage slaw, and a squeeze of lime. A little cotija cheese on top takes it over the edge.

5. Toss It in a Quesadilla
Add it to a cheesy quesadilla with peppers and onions. Pan-fry until crispy on the outside and gooey inside. Dip in salsa or sour cream and boom-instant crowd pleaser.

6. Pile It on a Salad
Need something lighter? We’ve tossed this chicken on a big bowl of greens with avocado, black beans, corn, and a tangy lime vinaigrette. It turns a boring salad into a flavor party.

7. Wrap It Up for Meal Prep
We like to meal prep with this chicken by wrapping it in tortillas with rice and veggies, then storing them in foil for grab-and-go lunches. It reheats like a dream!

8. Serve It Over Cauliflower Rice
Low-carb option? Yup, we’ve been there. This chicken with cauliflower rice, sautéed peppers, and a dollop of guac is super satisfying without the heaviness.

9. Top Off a Baked Potato
Sounds weird? Try it! A fluffy baked potato topped with adobo chicken, cheese, sour cream, and salsa is comfort food magic.

10. Make Chicken Tostadas
We crisp up corn tortillas in the oven, then pile on refried beans, adobo chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and a drizzle of crema. It’s like taco night, but crunchier.

Some Tips on This Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

1. Pound the chicken first
I always pound the chicken a little bit before marinating. It helps it cook evenly and keeps it super juicy. Plus, it cooks faster!

2. Let it marinate longer if you can
Okay, 30 minutes is fine, but when I let it sit overnight? *Whoa*. The flavor gets even better. Totally worth the wait!

3. Use the sauce from chipotle peppers, not just the peppers
Trust me on this-use that thick red adobo sauce from the can, not just the peppers. That’s where all the smoky magic is.

4. Don’t skip the garlic
Fresh garlic makes such a big difference. I’ve tried it without once, and nope-it just wasn’t the same!

5. Use a non-stick or cast iron pan
I like using a cast iron skillet. It gives the chicken a little sear and makes it taste like it came off the grill.

6. Let it rest before cutting
I used to slice it right away (I was always so hungry), but letting it sit for 5-10 minutes really keeps the juices in.

7. Double the batch and meal prep
I always make extra and store some for later. It’s perfect for burritos, bowls, or even breakfast tacos the next day!

8. Taste and adjust seasoning before cooking
I sneak a little taste of the marinade before adding the chicken-sometimes I add a pinch more salt or cumin, just to make it pop.

9. Chop it small for bowls or tacos
When I make burrito bowls, I like chopping the chicken into small bites so it mixes better with rice and toppings.

10. Clean up right after marinating
Adobo sauce can stain things fast (ask me how I know), so I clean the bowl or bag right after I start cooking.

How to Store and Reheat Qdoba Adobo Chicken Properly

Let any leftovers cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months-just thaw and reheat when you’re ready to dig in!

Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

Ginna Tobin
We’ve made this Qdoba Adobo Chicken recipe so many times, and let me tell you-it really hits the spot. It tastes just like the one from the restaurant, and we’re super confident you’re gonna love it too. We’re keeping it simple, real, and super tasty.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 481 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (pound them thin)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl (or ziplock bag), combine the chicken, minced garlic, olive oil, adobo sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything so the chicken is fully coated.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes-or even better, overnight for deeper flavor.
  • Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown.
  • Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5–10 minutes. This keeps it juicy! Then slice or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  • Toss it in a burrito, layer it in a rice bowl, or add it to your salad. However you eat it, it’s gonna be good.

Video

Notes

Let any leftovers cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months-just thaw and reheat when you’re ready to dig in!
Keyword How to make Qdoba Adobo Chicken, Qdoba Adobo Chicken, Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe, Step by Step Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

Common Queries on This Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Qdoba Adobo Chicken Recipe that people often ask.

1. What is in a Qdoba chicken bowl?

From what we’ve had (and loved), a typical Qdoba chicken bowl includes grilled adobo chicken, cilantro-lime rice, black or pinto beans, fajita veggies, pico de gallo, corn salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream, and guac if you’re feeling fancy. The beauty is-you can totally customize it, and this homemade chicken fits right in!

2. What is grilled adobo chicken?

It’s a juicy, smoky, slightly spicy chicken that’s been marinated in adobo sauce and spices, then grilled or pan-seared until golden. It’s got that perfect charred flavor that makes every bite super flavorful. This recipe nails that Qdoba-style grilled adobo chicken-we’ve tested it a bunch of times!

3. How many carbs are in Qdoba adobo chicken?

Based on what we’ve seen and tracked, Qdoba’s adobo chicken has about 2-3 grams of carbs per serving, which makes it a great low-carb protein option. Our homemade version is pretty similar since it doesn’t include any sugar or carb-heavy marinades.

4. What is Cholula Chicken at Qdoba?

Cholula Chicken is another flavor-packed option Qdoba sometimes offers. It’s made with the popular Cholula hot sauce, so it’s spicier and tangier than the adobo version. We haven’t recreated that one, but it’s definitely got a kick!

5. Can I grill the chicken instead of pan-searing it?

Yes, and we’ve tried it both ways! Grilling adds even more smoky flavor, which is amazing in the summer. Just make sure to oil your grates and cook over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side.

6. Do I need to use chipotle peppers or just the adobo sauce?

You only need the adobo sauce for this recipe, not the actual chipotle peppers. It adds the perfect smoky heat without overpowering the dish. But if you like it spicy, go ahead and blend in one pepper too!

7. How long should I marinate the chicken?

We’ve found that at least 30 minutes is enough to infuse flavor, but overnight is even better. When we prepped it the night before, the chicken turned out insanely juicy and flavorful.

8. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Totally! We’ve made this with boneless skinless thighs too, and they stay extra juicy. You might just need to cook them a minute or two longer per side, depending on thickness.

9. How should I serve the chicken if I’m not making a burrito bowl?

So many options! We’ve served it in tacos, on top of nachos, in salads, inside quesadillas, or just as a protein-packed snack with a squeeze of lime. Honestly, it’s good with anything.

10. Can I freeze the marinated chicken?

Yep! We’ve frozen it raw in the marinade, and it works great. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before cooking. It’s a huge time-saver if you want to meal prep.

There you have it-your own homemade Qdoba Adobo Chicken, ready to steal the show at your next meal. It’s quick, easy, and packed with restaurant-level flavor. Once you try this copycat recipe, you might never go back to takeout again.

If you love bold, smoky flavors and simple steps, this one’s definitely going on your regular recipe rotation.

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8 comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe exceeded my expectations. It was hearty, flavorful, and came together so easily. Your blog is such a wonderful resource for home cooks like me. Keep doing what you do!

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