I have become a fan of this Chipotle copycat air fryer chicken al pastor since I tried it for the first. It has the perfect balance of savory, smoky, spicy, sweet and umami flavours.
My son is a fan of Chipotle’s chicken al pastor and tried it in his air fryer first. He was very happy with the results. I then tried it and loved it. Now, it is a family favourite.
Though traditionally made with pork, I do enjoy the chicken one. Plus, it is such an easy recipe if you have the ingredients at hand. Cooking time is not very high with air frying. Perfectly crispy and juicy chicken is a bonus.
You can also try Air fryer Chicken Parmesan, Orange chicken in air fryer, air fryer whole chicken, air fryer chicken kabobs, air fryer fried chicken drumsticks, air fryer teriyaki chicken, air fryer chicken tikka, air fryer tandoori chicken and Air fryer chicken thighs.
Ingredients
Chicken breasts: I have used boneless skinless chicken breasts here cut. You can also use chicken thighs but the timing will need to be adjusted.
Apple cider vinegar: 1 tbsp. is used here.
Pineapple: 1 cup of fresh ripe pineapple pieces are used. You can use canned as well.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo sauce: I used 3 peppers and about 2 tbsp. of sauce for the marinade.
Garlic: 3 cloves minced were used here.
Honey or Sugar: I used about a tbsp. here for balancing out the flavours.
Cumin, Cilantro and Oregano: Ground cumin, cilantro and oregano 1 tsp. each were used here.
Olive oil: I used 1 tbsp. olive oil here.
Salt: Used to taste
Garnish
Cilantro and lime wedges are used as garnish.
Variations and Substitutions
You can easily use any other protein of choice like beef, pork or tofu here. Use chipotle chiles as per taste. If you prefer less heat, use fewer chilies.
I use only pineapple chunks that are roasted along with the chicken bites. I don’t use pineapple juice while marinating the chicken.
Serving Suggestions
These are perfect with a rice and beans bowl along with salsa for a delicious meal. Just like they serve at Chipotle’s.
You can also serve air fryer chicken al pastor with a salad, with nachos or in tacos. It can be had just like that with a dip of choice too.
Instructions
Marination: First step is to marinate the chicken breasts. Take chipotle in adobo sauce. I used store bought. In a blender add chipotle chiles with adobo sauce along with apple cider vinegar, honey or brown sugar, garlic, oregano, ground cumin and cilantro, salt and olive oil.
Give it a whiz in the blender till you get a thick marinade. Now add chicken breasts to it. Mix well and marinate for a minimum of 2 hours. Overnight is good too.
When you are ready to cook, preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 5 minutes or as per the preheat setting on your air fryer.
Brush the basket and lay marinated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Toss pineapple chunks in the leftover marinade and also lay them in the air fryer basket to roast along with the chicken.
Air fry at 360F or 180C for 12-15 minutes till chicken is cooked through and nicely browned. I always use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked. The internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken must be above 165F for it to be cooked.
Once done, take out the chicken and rest it for a couple of minutes before slicing. Serve with roasted pineapple chunks (they taste so good) with some chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
Enjoy your amazing air fryer chicken al pastor. It is so good.
Expert Tips
1. Marinating the chicken for at least 2-4 hours is important for deeper flavours. I love to marinate it overnight.
2. I have used chicken breast here. If using chicken breast or thigh bites, the air frying will reduce as the chicken bites are smaller in size.
3. Adjust the spice as per taste. This recipe is moderately spicy.
4. You can store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for upto 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer before serving.
5. You can use frozen chicken here. But, it needs to be thawed before you marinate it.
Here’s the recipe card:
📖 Recipe Card
Air fryer Chicken Al Pastor
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb. Chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp. Apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup Pineapple chunks
- 3 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 tbsp. Honey or Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp. ground Cumin
- 1 tsp. ground Cilantro
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 tbsp. Olive oil
- Salt to taste
Garnish
- Cilantro and lime wedges are used as garnish.
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Instructions
- Marination: First step is to marinate the chicken breasts. Take chipotle in adobo sauce. I used store them store bought. In a blender add chipotle chiles with adobo sauce along with apple cider vinegar, honey or brown sugar, garlic, oregano, ground cumin and cilantro, salt and olive oil.
- Give it a whiz in the blender till you get a thick marinade. Now add chicken breasts to it. Mix well and marinate for a minimum of 2 hours. Overnight is good too.
- When you are ready to cook, preheat air fryer at 360F or 180C for 5 minutes or as per the preheat setting on your air fryer.
- Brush the basket and lay marinated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Toss pineapple chunks in the leftover marinade and also lay them in the air fryer basket to roast along with the chicken.
- Air fry at 360F or 180C for 12-15 minutes till chicken is cooked through and nicely browned. I always use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked. The internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken must be above 165F for it to be cooked.
- Once done, take out the chicken and rest it for a couple of minutes before slicing. Serve with roasted pineapple chunks (they taste so good) with some chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
- Enjoy your amazing air fryer chicken al pastor. It is so good.
Notes
I have used chicken breast here. If using chicken breast or thigh bites, the air frying will reduce as the chicken bites are smaller in size.
Adjust the spice as per taste. This recipe is moderately spicy.
You can store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for upto 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer before serving.
You can use frozen chicken here. But, it needs to be thawed before you marinate it.
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