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Tequila Lime Chicken, sometimes called margarita chicken, is a fun and flavorful recipe perfect for warmer weather! The chicken is marinated in tequila, lime zest, and a blend of spices thatโs grilled to juicy perfection. Pair it with some pico de gallo and Mexican rice for a delicious Mexican dinner!
Ditch your regular chicken marinade and try this tequila lime chicken recipe instead!
Iโm a huge fan of marinating. Iโve made everything from a skirt steak marinade and lime chicken marinade to a Mexican chicken marinade and even what I deem to be the best chicken marinade. I know itโs quite the statement, but itโs true!
But when summer hits, and you crave something a little unexpected and incredibly flavorful, this tequila lime chicken does not disappoint. The blanco tequila adds a subtle peppery flavor, and lime zest adds lots of citrus notes along with other spices and seasonings.
This recipe is versatile and makes a tasty main dish served with some sides. It can also be chopped and used in salads, quesadillas, or burritos.
I grilled the chicken to add that quintessential summer smoky flavor, but you can also cook it on the stovetop in a skillet if you donโt have a grill.
Ingredients in Tequila Lime Chicken
- Tequila: I recommend using blanco or silver tequila versus reposado or aรฑejo. It adds a refreshing pepper, herbal, and citrusy flavor perfect for grilling.
- Lime zest: I used only lime zest to give a balanced citrus flavor. Since the tequila is tenderizing the chicken, I didnโt add the lime juice.
- Chicken: I used chicken breast, but you can also use chicken thighs.
- Soy sauce: I used low-sodium soy sauce to add notes of umami. A little goes a long way!
- Honey: Adds some sweetness that balances the citrus and tequila flavors. It also helps to caramelize the outside of the chicken during the grilling process, giving it a beautiful exterior.
- Seasonings: I used a combination of chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
How to Make Tequila Lime Chicken
Pound the chicken. Lay the chicken on a cutting board covered in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a meat mallet to pound each breast until theyโre ยฝ-inch thick. You can also place the chicken in a large Ziploc bag and pound them out one at a time.
Make the marinade. Place the chicken in a large bowl or gallon-sized Ziploc bag along with the tequila, olive oil, lime zest, honey, soy sauce, ancho chili powder, salt, cumin, and black pepper. Toss the chicken in the marinade until itโs evenly coated.
Marinate. Place the chicken into the refrigerator and marinate for at least 4 hours but no more than 8 hours.
Grill. Once the chicken is marinated, preheat the grill to medium-high. Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165โ on an instant-read thermometer.
Serve. Once the chicken is fully cooked, allow it to cool slightly before slicing.
Recipe Tips
- If you donโt like chicken breasts, you can use chicken thighs instead. This marinade also works well with pork and seafood.
- Add a little heat by adding a roughly chopped jalapeรฑo pepper or serrano pepper into the marinade.
- Donโt have a grill? You can cook this in a skillet on the stovetop for 6 to 8 minutes per side over medium-high heat.
- Avoid marinating for too long (more than 8 hours), as the marinade can break down the proteins in the chicken too much, making it mushy.
Ways to Serve Tequila Lime Chicken
- With the best sides. I love serving it with some fresh pico de gallo or mango salsa on top, and alongside some espagueti rojo, authentic Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice, a big helping of esquites, and a refreshing avocado salad. Doesnโt that sound like the best dinner ever?
- Chop it up. Thinly sliced or chopped pieces of this chicken is great for making chicken quesadillas, chicken tacos, chicken enchiladas, chicken tostadas, and even burritos.
Storing and Reheating
To store, place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
To reheat, place in the microwave for 30-second intervals until warmed.
More Mexican Recipes
Tequila Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 tablespoons blanco tequila
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Zest of 2 limes
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ยฝ teaspoon ground cumin
- ยฝ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Line a large cutting board with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Lay the chicken breast on top in a single layer, and cover with another piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper.
- Using the flat side of a meat mallet or a heavy skillet like cast iron, pound the chicken to an even ยฝ-inch thickness.
- Add the chicken to a resealable storage bag or a medium bowl. Add the tequila, olive oil, lime zest, honey, soy sauce, ancho chili powder, salt, cumin, and black pepper. Massage the marinade so it combines and evenly coats the chicken.
- Refrigerate and marinate for at least 4 hours, but up to 8 hours.
- To cook in a skillet or grill pan: Preheat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Shake off any excess marinade, and add the chicken to the hot pan. Cook for about 6-8 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165โ.
- To grill: Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Shake off any excess marinade, and add the chicken to the hot grates. Cover and grill for 6-8 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165หF.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate or serving platter and allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
- Serve immediately with warm corn or flour tortillas, pico de gallo, or Mexican rice.
Notes
- Chicken: If you donโt like chicken breasts, you can use chicken thighs instead. This marinade also works well with pork and seafood.
- Spice: Add a little heat by adding a roughly chopped jalapeรฑo pepper or serrano pepper into the marinade.
- Donโt have a grill? You can cook this in a skillet on the stovetop for 6 to 8 minutes per side over medium-high heat.
- Avoid marinating for too long (more than 8 hours), as the marinade can break down the proteins in the chicken too much, making it mushy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Ashley McLaughlin.
The tequila lime chicken recipe is absolutely delicious and I’ve made it several times. I think it’s the best chicken marinade that I have ever had.