Mexican Chicken Marinade Recipe
This flavorful Mexican Chicken Marinade recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts infused with a zesty blend of lime, garlic, and classic taco seasoning. Perfectly grilled to smoky perfection, this dish delivers a vibrant taste of Mexican-inspired cuisine that’s easy to prepare and ideal for a healthy, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-16 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 medium garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 4 green onions (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, taco seasoning, fresh lime juice, lime zest, brown sugar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined to form a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight, to tenderize and infuse the chicken with flavor.
- Preheat the Grill: Lightly oil your grill and preheat it to medium-high heat to prevent sticking and achieve perfect grill marks.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding any excess marinade. Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), adjusting time for thickness.
- Rest the Chicken: Transfer the grilled chicken to a clean plate and allow it to rest for a few minutes. This step helps the juices redistribute, resulting in tender, juicy meat.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the grilled chicken with thinly sliced green onions and chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus flavor if desired.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- If grilling is not an option, chicken can be cooked on a stovetop grill pan or baked in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your preferred balance of sweetness.
- Leftover grilled chicken can be used in salads, tacos, or wraps.
Keywords: Mexican chicken marinade, grilled chicken, lime chicken, taco seasoning chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy Mexican dinner
Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/mexican-chicken-marinade-recipe/
