Tequila Lime Chicken Recipe – Tender chicken breasts marinated in a zesty blend of fresh lime juice, jalapenos, garlic, cilantro, tequila, and olive oil. Grilled to perfection, this dish captures all the vibrant flavors of a classic margarita in every succulent bite.
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Margarita Chicken
This Tequila Lime Chicken is a favorite at our house. Tender chicken breasts marinated in a mouthwatering blend of freshly squeezed lime juice, fragrant garlic, fiery jalapenos, and aromatic cilantro, all elevated with a splash of tequila and a drizzle of olive oil. The marinade infuses the chicken with a tangy, citrusy essence that tenderizes the meat and locks in moisture, ensuring every mouthful is juicy and bursting with flavor. Whether grilled to perfection or baked in the oven, this dish captures the essence of everyone’s favorite cocktail in a delicious and satisfying dish!
How to Make Tequila Lime Chicken Marinade
This marinade is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. Combine lime juice, garlic cloves, sliced jalapeno pepper, salt, cilantro, and tequila in a food processor or blender. Pulse until combined. Turn on the blender/food processor and drizzle in the olive oil until combined.
Place chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the chicken to an even thickness. Pour the marinade over the chicken and seal the bag. Store in the refrigerator for a few hours up to overnight.
When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade. Cook the chicken on the grill or on the stovetop until it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- You can use this marinade on any cut of chicken– chicken breasts, chicken tenders, chicken thighs, chicken wings, or chicken drumsticks/legs.
- You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- You can use skinless or skin-on chicken.
- I suggest pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness. We put the chicken in a ziplock bag and use a flat meat mallet to pound out the hump carefully. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and you don’t have juicy chicken and half-dry chicken.
- We cook the chicken on a charcoal grill. Here are our tips for cooking on charcoal: https://www.plainchicken.com/grilling-101-how-to-use-charcoal-starter/
- I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken in the oven or skillet? Yes! To cook the chicken breasts inside, heat oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes. Use an instant read thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- You can use fresh lime juice or bottled lime juice.
- Add lime zest to the marinade for extra lime flavor.
- Variations/Additions:
- chili powder
- taco seasoning
- cumin
- Can I freeze Grilled Chicken? Yes! You can freeze the chicken uncooked or cooked.
- Prepare the marinade. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook.
- To freeze cooked chicken, cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What to Serve with Tequila Lime Chicken
When serving up Tequila Lime Chicken, it’s all about creating a fiesta-inspired feast that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine.
- Start by offering a refreshing Mexican chopped salad, bursting with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, crunchy tortilla strips, and tangy dressing, providing a colorful and refreshing contrast to the zesty chicken.
- Additionally, serve up a side of indulgent Mexican street corn casserole, featuring charred corn kernels mixed with creamy mayonnaise, tangy lime juice, and spicy chili powder, all topped with a blanket of gooey melted cheese for a comforting and flavorful treat.
- For a hearty and satisfying addition to the meal, offer Mexican rice and black beans for a rich and savory flavor profile that complements the chicken perfectly.
- Finally, round out the feast with a bowl of salsa, some creamy guacamole, and crispy corn tortilla chips.
With these delicious accompaniments, this chicken becomes the centerpiece of a festive and flavorful Mexican-inspired meal that’s sure to impress guests and transport them to a culinary paradise. Looking for more side dish ideas? Here are some popular recipes from the website:
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Tequila Lime Chicken
Yield: 4 people
Tequila Lime Chicken Recipe – Tender chicken breasts marinated in a zesty blend of fresh lime juice, fiery jalapenos, fragrant garlic, and aromatic cilantro, elevated with a splash of tequila for an irresistible kick. Grilled to perfection, this dish captures all the vibrant flavors of a classic margarita in every succulent bite.
- 3 whole Limes Juiced
- 5 cloves Garlic Peeled
- 1 whole Jalapeno Sliced
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ cups Cilantro
- ½ cups Tequila
- 5 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 whole Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
-
Combine lime juice, garlic cloves, sliced jalapeno, salt, cilantro, and tequila in a food processor or blender. Pulse until combined. Turn on the blender/food processor and drizzle in the olive oil until it’s all combined.
-
Slightly flatten chicken breasts with a mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet. Place in a plastic bag and pour in marinade. Seal bag and marinate for several hours or (preferably) overnight.
-
When ready to cook, remove chicken from bag and place on the grill. Cook until completely done.
- You can use this marinade on any cut of chicken– chicken breasts, chicken tenders, chicken thighs, chicken wings, or chicken drumsticks/legs.
- You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- You can use skinless or skin-on chicken.
- I suggest pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness. We put the chicken in a ziplock bag and use a flat meat mallet to pound out the hump carefully. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and you don’t have juicy chicken and half-dry chicken.
- We cook the chicken on a charcoal grill. Here are our tips for cooking on charcoal: https://www.plainchicken.com/grilling-101-how-to-use-charcoal-starter/
- I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken in the oven or skillet? Yes! To cook the chicken breasts inside, heat oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes. Use an instant read thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- You can use fresh lime juice or bottled lime juice.
- Add lime zest to the marinade for extra lime flavor.
- Variations/Additions:
- chili powder
- taco seasoning
- cumin
- Can I freeze Grilled Chicken? Yes! You can freeze the chicken uncooked or cooked.
- Prepare the marinade. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook.
- To freeze cooked chicken, cool completely and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw and reheat in the microwave.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Steph
Remember this recipe.
Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!
Pin This Recipe
