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    Qdoba Chicken Recipe | Tastes Just Like The Restaurants

    by Joe Duff 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This Qdoba chicken recipe tastes just like the one from Qdoba. This restaurant-quality chicken recipe is rich, savory, and smoky, and it pairs great with practically everything!

    Part of a white bowl with a bunch of pieces of Qdoba chicken in it with a greens and salsa mix next to it.

    The Best Qdoba Chicken 

    One of my favorite things to get at Qdoba is the chicken.

    In fact, pretty much every time I go there I order the Qdoba chicken protein bowl. It's loaded with black beans, fajita veggies, salsa verde, pico, guacamole, and of course, lots and lots of chicken! Gah, it's good.

    Table of Contents
    • The Best Qdoba Chicken 
      • Ingredients 
      • How to Make Qdoba Chicken 
        • Step 1: Marinating The Chicken
        • Step 2: Cooking The Chicken 
        • Step 3: Serving
      • How to Store Qdoba Chicken 
        • Reheating Cooked Chicken
      • Wrapping It All Up 
    • EASY DINNER RECIPES

     

    But, it can be expensive - especially if you order from Qdoba multiple times a week as I do - so I wanted to recreate their chicken at home. 

    And I may be a little biased, but I think this version might be even better than the one you can get at the store. 

    Salty, herbaceous, and savory, the marinade used in this Qdoba chicken recipe will give a flavorful kick to any dish.

    It's inspired by the traditional tastes and flavors of South America and Mexico, and I think it can transform your understanding of what flavors chicken can take on. Honestly, the chicken acts as the perfect vessel for the smoky-sweet flavors of the adobo. 

    And this chicken literally goes with everything from pairing it with an Air Fryer Baked Potato to adding it to this Spicy Southwest Salad or Crunchwrap Supreme. Or you can make a Qdoba chicken protein bowl - like I like to do - a Qdoba quesadilla, or a burrito with it!

    Plus, since this Qdoba chicken takes under 15 minutes to cook, it's a life-saver if you need a quick and easy weeknight meal. And you can leave the chicken marinating for a few days, so it also makes an excellent prep-ahead meal!

    A couple of pieces of Qdoba chicken on part of a white plate with some tomatoes next to it.

    Ingredients 

    So, along with the chicken, you'll need just a couple of spices and seasonings to complete the one-of-a-kind taste of this Qdoba chicken. 

    And you might have half or more of the ingredients you need in your pantry! 

    Check out everything you'll need:

    • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from a small can of chipotle peppers
    • ½ teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    What makes the flavor of this recipe so unique is the adobo sauce. Adobo has a smoky, lightly spiced flavor with a bit of sweetness that goes incredible with the savoriness from the oregano or Italian seasoning. 

    So I highly recommend using every ingredient to give this adobo chicken recipe a complete flavor profile.

    A white play with five uncooked pieces of chicken on it. Behind it is a small bowl of adobo, square bowl of oregano, a square bowl of garlic, and a small bottle of olive oil.

    How to Make Qdoba Chicken 

    This recipe doesn't just have a simple and inexpensive ingredients list - it's beyond easy to make too! 

    And the versatility of the flavor is what makes this such a popular chicken recipe.

    So, now that you have everything you need, let's get cooking! 

    A white bowl filled with a few pieces of uncooked chicken adobo marinade.

    Step 1: Marinating The Chicken

    The first step to this delicious dish is to prepare the marinade. 

    If you have a specific taste preference, feel free to adjust the measurements to give it your own unique flavor. Or, you can just prepare the marinade as outlined.

    Now, add the chicken, garlic, olive oil, adobo sauce, oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt, and pepper to a large bowl and mix to combine. If you want less clean-up, you can put everything directly in a Zip-Lock bag for ultimate ease and convenience. 

    Next, transfer the bag to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This works best if you want to cook the chicken immediately, but you can also keep it marinating in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keeping in the fridge deepens the flavors and makes it convenient to take the chicken out and cook if you're busy. 

    Five pieces of marinated chicken in a black skillet.

    Step 2: Cooking The Chicken 

    Once your Qdoba Chicken has marinated sufficiently, you can start cooking. 

    First, take out a medium to large-sized skillet, cover the surface in olive oil, and put it over medium-high heat.

    Then, add the marinated chicken to the pan, and cook it for about 6-7 minutes on each side. Oh, and you'll want to turn the chicken occasionally while cooking to ensure an even sear throughout.

    With that said, you'll know the chicken is done when it reaches an internal temp of 165° Fahrenheit. 

    Three pieces of cooked chicken and parts of two other pieces of chicken and a black skillet.

    Step 3: Serving

    Once the chicken is cooked, allow it to rest on a cutting board for about 5 minutes, then slice, chop, or leave whole.

    Serve it with Instant Pot Spanish Rice and add in any toppings you want to make a Qdoba chicken protein bowl. Enjoy!

    A few pieces of chicken, arugula, and tomatoes on a white plate on top of a white tablecloth and a white color. The knife is lying on top of the plate.

    How to Store Qdoba Chicken 

    So this Qdoba chicken recipe will make about 6 servings of chicken. And, as I mentioned earlier, it's great for meal prep, or even a big family dinner.

    However, if you have chicken leftover, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

    The best part about storing the chicken after cooking it is that the flavors elevate even more. And the chicken is delicious, both cold and reheated.

    Part of a white bowl that's filled with a few pieces of chicken. In the bowl behind the chicken is some arugula, tomatoes, and the knife line on the top of the bowl.

    Reheating Cooked Chicken

    Ok, so there are a few different ways that you can reheat the chicken. 

    One is to put it back in a skillet over medium heat. First, add some water to cover the bottom of the pan and heat it until the water simmers. Then add the chicken, lower the heat, and warm until the chicken reaches your desired temp.

    Another method is reheating chicken in an air fryer. To do this, preheat the air fryer to 375°F for a few minutes. Then add the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and heat it for about 4 minutes, flipping it halfway through.

    Five pieces of Qdoba chicken on part of a white plate.

    Wrapping It All Up 

    Well, that is how to make Qdoba chicken in the comfort of your own home. It's just as good - if not better - than getting it at the restaurant!

    Seriously, this copycat recipe takes chicken up a notch, or three. And it truly delivers on bringing that addicting savory, spicy, sweet, and smokey flavor combination that you'll find in Qdoba's chicken.

    Honestly, everyone who tries this chicken recipe always loves it, and I hope you enjoy it too!

    EASY DINNER RECIPES

    If you're looking for some more easy dinner recipes, we have a bunch on the blog that you have to try next.

    Check out these easy recipes:

    • Stuffed Chicken Breast
    • Chicken Tempura
    • Huli Huli Chicken
    • Instant Pot Paella
    • Air Fryer Pierogies
    • Fried Spaghetti
    Print

    Qdoba Chicken Recipe

    Part of a white plate with five pieces of Qdoba chicken on it. Behind the chicken on the plate is some arugula, tomatoes, and a knife laying across the top of the plate.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    This Qdoba chicken recipe tastes just like the one from Qdoba. This restaurant-quality chicken recipe is rich, savory, and smoky, and it pairs great with practically everything!

    • Author: Joe Duff
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Low Carb

    Ingredients

    Scale

    2 lbs boneless skinless chicken tenderloins

    2 cloves garlic minced

    2 tablespoons olive oil

    2 tablespoons adobo sauce from a small can of chipotle peppers

    ½ teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning

    1 teaspoon salt

    ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Combine chicken garlic, olive oil, adobo sauce and seasoning in a large bowl (or ziplock bag). Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
    2. Preheat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and cook, turning occasionally, until completely cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side (internal temp 165°F).
    3. Remove the chicken from the pan and put on a cutting board. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes then slice or chop. Serve and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 166
    • Fat: 2.5
    • Carbohydrates: 2
    • Protein: 35

    Keywords: qdoba chicken, qdoba chicken recipe, how to make qdoba chicken, chicken tenderloin recipe healthy, chicken tenderloin recipe ideas, chicken tenderloin recipe keto, keto chicken recipe easy, low carb chicken recipe, low carb chicken recipe easy, adobo chicken, adobo chicken recipe, qdoba chicken ingredients, how to make qdoba chicken at home, easy chicken recipe for dinner, easy chicken recipe, chicken recipe, best chicken recipe, adobo chicken recipe qdoba, how to make adobo chicken recipe qdoba

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leon

      January 10, 2022 at 1:07 pm

      Tastes just like Qdoba!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Andy

      January 10, 2022 at 1:18 pm

      I don't have the qdoba restaurant near me but this chicken looked really good so I made it and it was very very good.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Alanna

      January 11, 2022 at 9:16 am

      I used it to make a protein bowl with shredded cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, diced peppers, and chipotle ranch dressing. It was excellent!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Angelo

      January 14, 2022 at 8:27 am

      I always prepare my chicken the same way and tried this recipe and it is my new way of making it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Jonathan

      February 01, 2022 at 6:14 pm

      This is ridiculously good chicken.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Tony

      March 26, 2022 at 9:54 pm

      Turned out perfect. Thanks.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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