Explore a variety of mouthwatering Qdoba chicken recipes on our site. Learn how to recreate your favorite dishes at home.
Reducing the price of bold, spicy chicken bursting with flavors from New Mexico? Qdoba Chicken Recipe is what you need! It’s an easy-to-make recipe that has all the things you love about a Qdoba grill plate with marinated tender chicken that can be adapted to suit your preferences. This is an under-an-hour dish for restaurant-quality dinner at home on busy weekdays and casual hangouts. We will take a dip into the world of deliciousness in order to prepare them until they are well done and feel good.
What Gives Qdoba Chicken A Mouthwatering Taste?
It is due to specific marinade spices used by Qdoba which differentiate their chicken from others. These include cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder among others. Additionally, this type of chicken gets grilled perfectly hence it has a very juicy and gentle texture which seems out of this world.
Ingredients Necessary for Making A Qdoba Chicken Recipe
These are all the ingredients that you should have in order to revive Qdoba’s magic behind its chickens:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Two spoons of olive oil
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-step Guide on How to Make Qdoba Chicken Recipe
Craving hot Qdoba-like barbecue but broke or too lazy for takeout? Be rest assured! This is a recipe that gives guidance on how one can make his/her adobo meal tasty while at home. Quality restaurant customizable chicken ready within 60 minutes or less, excellent for tacos, burritos, bowless or salads.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (thinly sliced or pounded thin)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra smokiness)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper (for a kick)
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken: Take a big bowl and whisk in olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika (if you want), garlic powder, onion powder , oregano , salt and pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss them around so as to be coated evenly. Cover the bowl with cling film and marinate for not less than 30 minutes or up to 4 hours when you need more flavor.
Prepare to Grill: Pre-heat your grill on medium-high heat. Alternatively you can use a grill pan or skillet over medium heat.
Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade shaking off any excess liquid. Grill chicken on each side for about 4-5 minutes until cooked through and well browned. The thickest part of the chicken should have reached an internal temperature of about 165°F(74°C) when measured using an instant-read thermometer.
Rest and Serve: After cooking transfer the chicken onto a plate and cover it loosely with aluminum foil; let it rest for about 5-10 minutes so that its juices are redistributed making it more tender and tastier.
Time to Customize! Now is when things begin getting exciting! Slice that chicken up or chop it into whatever Qdoba-inspired meals you want. Warm your favorite tortillas right before loading them up! You can be creative because at Qdoba there are plenty of options available for toppings! See some ideas listed below:
Classic Toppings – Cheese Grated Sour cream Avocado Sauce Salsa Pico de Gallo Chopped lettuce Diced onions Cilantro
- Veggie Power – Roasted veggies like peppers onions zucchini corn
- Protein and Fiber from Beans: Black beans, pinto beans, refried beans.
- Grains: Brown rice, white rice, quinoa.
- Chicken Marinating and Grilling Tips
Below are some tips on how to marinate and grill chicken in order to achieve a homely taste similar to that of Qdoba’s restaurant.
Marination
Flavorful Base: A good start for marinade can be olive oil, lime juice or orange. This will give the chicken juiciness and allows flavors to go inside it.
Spice it Up: The Qdoba chicken is spicy. You can add chili powder, cumin paprika, or chipotle peppers instead of adobo sauce, which would bring a smoky depth.
Fresh Herbs and Aromatics: Remembering not forgetting aromas! Finely chopped garlic, onion cilantro or even oregano leaves make the marinade taste fresher and more complex.
Acid Balance: Some acidity helps to soften the meat. Use lime juice, orange juice or apple cider vinegar for that matter.
Marinating Time: Depending on how thick your chicken is will determine time needed for marinating it. If it’s thin slices or tenders then 30 minutes to an hour would be enough. Breasts or thighs which are thicker could benefit from 2-4 hours or even overnight if you want your flavoring maximally absorbed into them.
Don’t Over-Marinate: While marination does tenderize; too much time (especially with acidic ingredients) can make chicken mushy. Just stick to the recommended times stated above.
Grilling
Preheat to High: Before grilling set up your grill such that it generates medium-high heat as desired. This seals the juices in completely making those nice marks on them after all.
Pat Dry: When ready to grill ensure that your chickens are dry by patting a paper towel on them before putting them onto the grill. It is to note that any excess moisture on the surface can slow down the browning process.
Sear and Finish: The pieces of chicken are seared on high heat for a couple of minutes per side so as to achieve perfect char. Then reduce your heat to medium or move your chicken onto indirect heat zone so as to cook through without getting burnt.
Internal Temperature: A meat thermometer will help you know when safe consumption can be done. While cooking, don’t forget to make sure that highest temperature inside thighs/breasts reaches 165F (74C).
Resting is Key: After grilling, allow cooked chicken rest for about 5-10 minutes. This makes it become more tender and juicy because all the juices in it get redistributed all over.
Additional Tips
Use Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken: For added flavor, choose bone-in and skin-on thighs over others. Bones add richness while skins come out crispy from grills, however you can remove them before serving if desired.
Marinate in a Ziploc Bag: This saves time and ensures mess-free marination of your chicken. Just ensure everything is well coated by tossing your chicken together with marinade into Ziploc baggies.
Leftover Marinade: You must get rid of the marinade that was left after use because it may have some bacteria from the raw meat.
Suggestions for Serving and Pairing
Qdoba’s custom bowls have limitless possibilities, but sometimes, having too many choices can be overwhelming. Here are some serving suggestions and pairing options to elevate your Qdoba chicken experience:
Fresh and Flavorful Bowls
The Classic: Grilled chicken, black beans, brown rice, fajita veggies (peppers, onions), Pico de Gallo with light vinaigrette. The following is a blend of proteins, fibers and vitamins with some crisp.
Spicy Fiesta: Grilled chicken pinto beans, cilantro lime rice, roasted corn salsa, shredded cheese with guacamole on top. This one tastes very spicy and has creamy part as well which is contrast.
Asian-Inspired: Grilled chicken, white rice, steamed broccoli chopped carrots with sweet chili sauce drizzled all over and crispy wonton strips. You can have that unique Asian taste which gives you an exciting texture.
Sides and Pairings
Fresh Start: If you like your bowl to be greener and more vitamin filled then go for a side salad dressed in light vinaigrette.
Crunchy Companions: Scooping tortilla chips and salsa on the side is perfectly classic; they also add crunchiness and saltiness to the meal.
Quenching Drinks: Consider unsweetened iced tea or flavored water instead of choosing drinks that will mask your bowl’s flavor or fresh limeade.
Additional Tips
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment : Don’t just limit yourself to chicken when it comes to protein options at Qdoba. Instead consider grilled steak carnitas or tofu as toppings that you will love.
Portion Control: Although customization is fun ensure that you do not eat too much food. Have one portion instead of overloading your bowl with high calorie toppings.
Go Halfpipes : Would you like something lighter? Then why not share your bowl with someone else?
Variations and Customization Options for Qdoba Chicken Recipe
This makes Qdoba an amazing place because it allows one to customize his or her own personal preferences and diet. Here are some key elements you might want to change in order to get exactly what you want in your Qdoba chicken:
Protein
Chicken: Qdoba has the classic grilled or chipotle-honey marinated chicken. Alternatively, try barbacoa or shredded beef with a different flavor profile.
Greens
Base: Regular salad base can be made using romaine lettuce while romaine iceberg mix too can be prepared and put over black beans which will add protein and fiber too your dish.
Rice
Grains: Brown rice is one healthy option since it’s rich in fiber as well. At Qdoba, you can find white rice alone or have both types together.
Cheeses
Dairy Delights: There are many cheese options that Qdoba offers from normal cheddar cheese to pepper jack. If you need your meal lighter do not include any cheese otherwise just serve yourself some amount of it.
Toppings
Salsa Fiesta: Salsas provide an added burst of flavor and some Vitamin C too. Salsas that range from mild Tomatillo Green Salsa are available at Qdoba.
Guacamole Goodness: However, you need to be careful of how much guacamole you scoop onto your plate because it is packed with calories especially when taken in large amounts.
Sour Cream: Like wise, take sour cream sparingly for its coolness. If fat free options are there, then take smaller portions.
Cilantro and Lime Crema: When used in combination with any other items they give a fresh feel.
Other Options
Veggies: Don’t forget veggies! Try fajita veggies like sauteed peppers and onions to fill up on or roasted corn with Pico de gallon instead of meat toppings so as to get more flavoring agents and textures here as well.
Dressings: Some dressings include light vinaigrette or creamy cilantro-lime. Pay attention to the dressing you choose and also be cautious about portion sizes especially of creamy dressings.
Qdoba’s tortillas are available in corn or wheat variety; both provide high level of satisfaction if consumed moderately with corn tortillas being superior in terms of dietary fiber.
Here are some suggestions to help you get started personalizing your order:
The Classic: A grilled chicken over brown rice and black beans with fajita veggies, salsa and a light vinaigrette on a flour tortilla. (Healthy and balanced)
The Spicy Kick: Chipotle-honey chicken over white rice with cheese, pico de gallo, tomatillo green salsa, and cilantro-lime crema on a flour tortilla. (Flavorful with a spicy kick)
The Vegetarian Delight: A black bean base topped off with romaine lettuce, brown rice, roasted corn, sauteed peppers and onions, salsa and a light vinaigrette on a flour tortilla. (Packed with fiber and vegetarian-friendly)
Health Benefits of Qdoba Chicken Recipe
Qdoba has many components that can customize your health with their chicken recipe. Here is how:
Possible Advantages
Lean Protein Source: This makes Grilled Chicken a perfect example of Lean protein for muscle building.
Fiber Options: There are choices like brown rice and black beans that are also full of fiber, which promotes digestion, keeps you satiated for a longer time, and can helpregulateg blood sugar levels.
Veggie Power: Fajita veggies or side salad will provide you with important vitamins and minerals vital for the body..
Customization for Health
Skip the Fatty Extras : To avoid too much cheese, sour cream or guacamole, go for smaller portions because they contain saturated fat in addition to calories; As well, choose low-fat versions if you want.
Go Easy on the Dressing : Use light vinaigrettes or salsa instead of creamy dressings that may have so much fat and calories.
Tortilla Choices: Flour tortillas over corn ones mean less dietary fiber intake.
In General
Qdoba Chicken recipes may be relatively healthy if you make wise choices. A healthy mix could look like this:
- Grilled chicken
- Brown rice or black beans
- Fajita veggies (peppers, onions)
- Side salad with light vinaigrette
This combination provides lean protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it more balanced.
Important Considerations
Portion Control: Do not overserve yourself even in healthy choices because some might still be high in calorie content. Eat one serving size only.
Sodium Content: Qdoba’s quick meals often contain high sodium contents check your daily sodium consumption if you opt for their meals.
Making it Healthier at Home
Boneless skinless chicken breast can be cooked at home using other healthier methods such as grilling or baking so that you will not miss out much on taste as compared to deep frying it.
- Trying cooking brown rice or quinoa for your base, which is pretty fiber-rich
- Roast some of your favorite vegetables for added flavor and nutrients
Another thing that would make a great addition to your salad is the homemade olive oil-thyme dressing.
Credit: The Sassy Foodie
Frequently Asked Questions About Qdoba Chicken Recipe
Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?
Cooking time may differ slightly if bone-in chicken is used in order to ensure that it is cooked completely inside as well as out.
Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling it?
Absolutely! You may choose to bake the chicken at 375°F (190°C) preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes until its internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Can I freeze the marinated chicken?
Definitely! However, when thawin,g make sure it happens in the fridge before grilling or baking.
Conclusion about Qdoba Chicken Recipe
In conclusion, Qdoba chicken recipe smells so good. Among other recipes, this one will definitely stand out due to the mix of spices and grilling method. Whenever Qdoba’s chicken is taken it always remains without equal, either as burrito bowls or tacos or regular Mexican side dishes. Why then wait? Prepare yourself for an epicurean trip with its delightful tastes by trying Qdoba’s chicken in your own kitchen.
