Description
This Easy Mexican Chicken Marinade is a flavorful blend of citrus, herbs, and spices that infuses boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs with vibrant Mexican-inspired taste. Perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing, this marinade adds a zesty, smoky, and slightly spicy note to your chicken, making it ideal for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, and fajitas. Quick to prepare and versatile, it enhances your meals with fresh lime juice, orange juice, cilantro, and a harmonious mix of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Protein
- 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl or large zip-top bag, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, orange juice, chopped cilantro, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the bowl or bag with the marinade. Toss or seal the bag and gently massage to coat the chicken evenly with the marinade. Cover the bowl or seal the bag completely.
- Refrigerate to Marinate: Place the marinade-coated chicken in the refrigerator and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, marinate 2 to 4 hours to let the citrus and spices deeply infuse the meat.
- Cook the Chicken: When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat, bake it in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C), or pan-sear in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps retain juices for tender, flavorful pieces. Serve the chicken sliced in tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or fajitas as desired.
Notes
- This marinade works perfectly for grilled chicken tacos, burrito bowls, fresh salads, or fajitas.
- You can double the marinade ingredients when preparing large batches or meal prepping.
- For convenience, freeze chicken pieces in the marinade; thaw and cook as usual for quick meals.
- Adjust the chili powder for milder or spicier flavor to suit your preference.
- Use fresh lime and orange juice for best bright citrus flavor.
