Smoky chicken, crisp slaw, creamy sauce – the ultimate DIY bowl.
These Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken Bowls are the ultimate customisable, make-ahead meal. Tender chicken thighs are marinated in a smoky, creamy chipotle sauce, air-fried until caramelised, and served over grains with a crisp, tangy slaw and a creamy dressing. They’re perfect for meal prep, family dinners where everyone can build their own bowl, and are guaranteed to become a regular in your rotation.
There’s something so satisfying about a meal where everyone can pick exactly what they want. These bowls are built for that. You get a foundation of smoky, perfectly cooked chicken and grains, then layer on as much crunchy slaw, creamy avocado, and tangy sauce as you like. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels fresh and exciting every time.
Why This Chicken Bowl Recipe Works So Well
This recipe is a hit because it’s cleverly designed for real life.
- The Air Fryer Secret: Cooking the marinated chicken in the air fryer gives it an incredible, slightly charred, crispy exterior while keeping it juicy inside—fast and with no splatter.
- A Truly Flavourful Marinade: The blend of chipotle in adobo, yoghurt, and spices doesn’t just coat the chicken; it tenderises it and creates a deeply smoky, tangy flavour that soaks into every bite.
- Perfect Textural Contrast: The crisp, fresh Mexican slaw and creamy avocado provide the perfect cool, crunchy contrast to the warm, spiced chicken and hearty grains.
- Built for Customisation & Prep: The components store beautifully separately, making it an ideal meal-prep lunch. It’s also endlessly adaptable—swap the grains, change the veggies, or adjust the spice level to please everyone at the table.
How To Build Your Bowls (Step-by-Step)
Follow this simple assembly line to create perfect bowls every time.
- Marinate the Chicken: Blend the chipotle, yoghurt, oil, garlic, spices, and lime juice into a smooth paste. Coat the chicken thighs thoroughly and let them marinate for at least 1-2 hours (or overnight for maximum flavour).
- Cook the Chicken: Air fry the marinated chicken at 200°C for 18-20 minutes, turning halfway, until crispy and cooked through. Let it rest before slicing.
- Make the Slaw & Sauce: While the chicken cooks, toss the shredded cabbage, onion, coriander, and jalapeño with the honey-lime dressing. Whisk together the ingredients for the creamy chipotle sauce.
- Assemble: Start with a base of cooked grains. Top with sliced chipotle chicken, a generous handful of the slaw, diced avocado, and halved tomatoes.
- Finish: Drizzle generously with the creamy chipotle sauce. Serve immediately with lime wedges and tortilla chips on the side.
chipotle chicken bowl
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
This recipe is a meal-prep superstar. Here’s how to get the most out of it.
For Best Results:
- Store Components Separately: Keep the chipotle chicken, undressed slaw, cooked grains, and chipotle sauce in individual airtight containers in the fridge. Assemble just before eating to keep everything fresh.
- Slaw Life: The undressed slaw mix will stay crisp in a zip-lock bag or container for up to 5 days. Add the dressing no more than an hour before serving.
- Sauce & Marinade: The creamy chipotle sauce and any extra chicken marinade will keep for 5 days in the fridge.
Storage Times:
- Fridge: Cooked chicken and grains will keep for 3 days. Assembled bowls (with dressed slaw) are best eaten within 24 hours.
- Freezer: The cooked chipotle chicken freezes perfectly for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. The sauce and slaw do not freeze well.
Reheating: Reheat the chicken and grains gently in the microwave or enjoy them cold. Always add the fresh slaw, avocado, and sauce after reheating.
Customisation
Mix and match based on what you have:
- Protein: Use chicken breasts, firm tofu, or black beans.
- Base: Try coriander-lime rice, cauliflower rice, or mixed greens.
- Veggies: Add roasted corn, charred capsicums, or pickled onions.
- Spice: Adjust the heat by using more or less chipotle and jalapeño.
FAQ’s
Can I cook this without an air fryer?
Yes. Pan-fry or bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 mins until cooked.
How spicy is this recipe?
The heat level is moderate and smoky, not intensely spicy. The yoghurt and sour cream in the marinade and sauce help balance the chipotle’s heat. For a very mild version, reduce the chipotle and omit the fresh jalapeño. For more heat, add more!
Can I prepare the chicken marinade ahead of time?
Yes! The marinade can be made and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before using. You can also combine the chicken and marinade in a zip-lock bag and freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.
Why is my slaw soggy?
Sogginess happens when the slaw is dressed too far in advance. The salt and acid in the dressing draw moisture out of the cabbage. For meal prep, keep the shredded slaw mix and the dressing in separate containers and combine just before serving.
I hope these Chipotle Chicken Bowls become a trusted, go-to favourite in your home. They’re the perfect balance of flavour and practicality, rewarding a little prep with a whole lot of delicious, satisfying meals. I’d love to hear how they turned out for you – share your creations and thoughts in the comments below!
More Recipes You May Enjoy:
- Pico De Gallo
- Easy 5 Ingredient Guacamole
- Mexican Chilli Beef
- Red Cabbage Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
- One Pot Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice
- Crispy Chicken Schnitzel with Panko and Seeds
Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken Bowls with Mexican Slaw
Ingredients
CHIPOTLE CHICKEN
- 6 chicken thigh fillets, halved and trimmed of excess fat
- 2 tablespoons diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (See Note 2)
- 2 tablespoons Greek style natural yoghurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped (grated or finely chopped if not using a blender)
- 1 tablespoon each brown sugar and smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons each dried oregano, cumin and onion powder
- Juice of large 1 lime
MEXICAN SLAW
- 2 cups very thinly sliced mixed cabbage (I used white and red)
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup coriander leaves
- 1 jalapeno chilli, thinly sliced
- Juice of 1 large lime
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
TO ASSEMBLE
- 3 cups freshly cooked brown rice and quinoa mix (or you can use any grain of choice)
- 1 large avocado, finely diiced
- 200g perino or grape tomatoes, halved
CREAMY CHIPOTLE SAUCE (TO DRIZZLE)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon diced chipotles in adobo sauce
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- Juice of 1 small lime or ½ large
- Salt, to taste
TO SERVE
- Corn tortilla chips/strips
- Lime cheeks or wedges
Instructions
CHIPOTLE CHICKEN
- Place chicken thighs into a bowl or zip-lock bag. Combine all remaining ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Alternately, combine all in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour over the chicken and stir well to coat evenly. Cover and chill for at least 1-2 hours but up to 24 hours if time permits.
- Preheat an air fryer at 200℃ for 5 minutes then line with a paper or silicone liner if desired (less mess). Place the marinated chicken thighs (cook in batches if need be) into air fryer and bake for 12 minutes. Turn chicken over and continue baking for a further 6-8 minutes or until chicken is golden brown adn cooked through (internal temperature is at least 75℃). Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 minutes before slicing or dicing the chicken into bite size pieces.
- Meanwhile, to make the slaw, combine cabbage, red onion, coriander and jalapeños in a bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, honey and olive oil in a separate small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the dressing to the slaw and toss to combine (if making ahead of time or for meal prep, keep the slaw and dressing separate until ready to eat).
- To assemble, divide the rice, chicken,Mexican slaw, avocado and tomatoes evenly between serving bowls. Drizzle with a little Creamy Chipotle Sauce serving extra on the side if desired. Serve with lime cheeks and corn tortilla strips (if using). Serve immediately.
CREAMY CHIPOTLE SAUCE
- Place all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until smooth. Cover and chill until required. Will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Notes
- COOKS NOTES:
Oven Temps: Oven temperatures are for conventional, if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C.
Measurements: We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon = 5 ml, 1 tablespoon = 20 ml & 1 cup = 250 ml.
Herbs: All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed.
Vegetables: All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified.
Eggs: We use extra-large size and eggs are 55-60 g each, unless specified. - DICED CHIPOTLES IN ADOBO SAUCE
Diced chipotle chillies in adobo sauce are available from supermarkets in the Mexican isle. I used La Costena brand which come in a jar diced. You can however purchase chipotles in adobo sauce from Woolies which are in full form. In this case, you would need to use the blender to puree them in the marinate in step 1. I would use 1-2 whole peppers along with some of the sauce. -
Cooking Methods (No Air Fryer):
- Oven: Bake on a lined tray at 200°C (180°C fan) for 20-25 mins, turning halfway.
- Stovetop: Pan-fry in a hot skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 mins per side.
- BBQ: Grill for 5-7 mins per side over medium heat.
- Best Practice: Store chicken, undressed slaw, grains, and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Slaw: Dress only 30-60 minutes before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Freezing: Cooked chicken freezes well for up to 2 months. Slaw and sauce do not freeze.
- Protein: Use chicken breast (reduce cook time), black beans, or firm tofu.
- Spice Level: Adjust by adding more chipotle for heat or omitting the jalapeño for mild.
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based yoghurt and vegan mayo/sour cream.
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