A simple and easy marinade gives this tequila lime chicken an incredible flavor! ย Perfect on the grill, with a salsa, or in a taco/burrito bowl!
This chicken recipe is one of my all time favorites… because it’s SO versatile! ย Not to mention, it uses booze ๐
You may recognize that SALSA, it’s the Strawberry, Jalapeno and Pineapple Salsa I posted on Monday. ย These two are just made for each other!ย ย
The spiciness of the chicken, mixed with the zing from the lime, and topped off with the sweetness of the salsa… you won’t be able to stop making this dish ๐
The marinade comes together super quickly and uses common spices you probably have in your spice cabinet ๐ ย Add the spices to the citrus juices, oil, and tequila and whisk to combine. ย Pour the marinade over the chicken breasts in a zip top plastic bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
Now just fire up your grill (or be like me and send the chicken out to your grill master husband), and grill until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear (about 8 minutes per side, depending on how thick your breasts are).
You just can’t beat that char from grilling! ย If the weather is nasty, you could sear this chicken up in a skillet though.
I like to squeeze a little fresh lime juice over the chicken before serving!
And of course, top it with some minced cilantro and a generous helping of the strawberry salsa!
This tequila lime chicken is perfect just as is… but also makes a very delicious base for a chicken taco or chicken burrito bowl ๐
Recipe adapted from The Kitchen Wife
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 3-5 boneless skinless, chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup Tequila
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 limes zested and juiced
- 1 orange juiced
- 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 Tbsp ancho chile powder
- 1 tsp dried minced onion
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- Fresh minced cilantro (optional for garnish)
- Lime wedges (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Trim chicken breasts of any fat and set aside.
- Combine marinade ingredients (from tequila down to pepper) in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Alternatively, you could add the marinade ingredients to a zip top plastic bag, seal it, and shake well to combine.
- Add chicken breasts to the marinade, and either cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or seal the plastic bag. Place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat grill over MED/MED-HIGH heat. Brush your grill with a little vegetable oil and grill chicken for about 8 minutes per side, until cooked through and juices run clear.
- Let chicken rest for about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- If desired, top chicken with a squeeze of lime juice and minced fresh parsley.
- Spoon some strawberry jalapeno and pineapple salsa over the top.
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Chef Tips
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Cara says
What do you suggest for oven temp and how long if you donโt have a grill?
The Chunky Chef says
I haven’t tested this recipe in the oven, so I can’t say for certain. I would probably cook the chicken on the stovetop in a skillet (or grill pan if you have one). I’d heat it over MED HIGH heat and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through to 165ยฐF.
JoAnn says
Great recipes. Pleases everyone in my family.
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
Love the recipe you’ve put together – chicken looks awesome!! Thanks for stopping by #TryaBiteTuesday and sharing. Sent lots of love you way – hope to see you back next week!!
The Chunky Chef says
Thank you Debra!! ๐
Diane says
Love this recipe Amanda! It looks so juicy, flavorful and healthy. We love to grill in the summer. But our grill just broke so I might have to save this for next summer. Pinning for later! #Tryabitetuesday
The Chunky Chef says
Thank you Diane!! Oh no… broken grill, that’s too bad ๐ Do you have an indoor grill pan? You could grill it on one of those, or even just saute in a skillet ๐
Caroline | carolinescooking says
It’s great having a grillmaster husband, isn’t it ๐ I find it works well to allow me to sort out whatever else we are having, plus he likes it and enjoys whatever we have so it’s a great arrangement. Particularly when you have tasty looking food like this. Sounds delicious! It’s the kind of thing I keep meaning to try so might just have to give this a go.
The Chunky Chef says
Thank you Caroline!! Ah yes, having a great grill man for a husband is wonderful ๐ Less stress for us, they have fun, and that grilled flavor is hard to beat ๐ If you try this, I hope you guys love it!
Sarah says
This dish looks wonderful! I love all the bright colors and flavors, yum yum yum!
The Chunky Chef says
Thank you Sarah!! ๐
CakePants says
This looks wonderful, but would you believe that I don’t have tequila in the house?! I’d better go pick some up before grilling season comes to an end! And the honest answer is no, I don’t grill…but my boyfriend does ๐
The Chunky Chef says
Thank you so much!! Lol, we had some tequila left after eating this the last time, but it, uhhh, mysteriously disappeared ๐ Yay for great grilling boyfriends!
Kaila (GF Life 24/7) says
So colorful and tasty! I love how you used ingredients that I already have in my pantry too!! Happy FF, and have a wonderful weekend. ๐
The Chunky Chef says
Thank you Kaila!! I find it frustrating when you have to run out for special ingredients, so I really love “pantry” recipes ๐
CiaoFlorentina says
Totally in love with this beauty ! Gorgeous!
The Chunky Chef says
Thanks so much Florentina! ๐
mila furman says
Amanda this looks really great! But you know what I love?!? The backlighting in these photos! They are just gorgeous!!!! Great job honey!!!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
What are you doing to me Amanda! I should not be checking this without having my breakfast!!
I do love to cook with Tequila! Tequila anything really! These look amazing!!
The Chunky Chef says
Hehe, your blog does the same thing to me… when I look at it, even if I’ve just eaten, I totally want to eat what you’ve posted! ๐ Thanks girl! Tequila is just awesome ๐
Stephanie says
I am SOOOOO making these like… ASAP. IT looks and sounds delicious and we’re always in need of new grilling recipes, we tend to go on a repetitious cycle without even realizing it! Your pics are so colorful and the site is looking A-MAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You goooooooooooooooooooo!!! <3
The Chunky Chef says
Thanks so much girl!! I’m loving the summer light for the pics… winter light is going to suuuuuck lol. I hope you love these! Oh I know what you mean, we tend to grill the same stuff too <3