Tequila Lime Chicken

Of course, that being said, fixing this tequila-marinated chicken just has to be accompanied by your favorite margarita. So cheers to an easy, tasty dinner the whole family will love.

What is Tequila Lime Chicken?

Tequila chicken, aka margarita chicken, consists of chicken that has been marinated in a citrusy blend of tequila, lime juice, garlic and cilantro. It is then grilled until tender and smoky.

What does tequila lime chicken taste like?

This tequila-marinated chicken has a predominantly southwestern flavor. It is mildly spicy with a juicy citrus flavor. The slight amount of tequila used is not overly strong but does provide the chicken with a little tang. It's perfect for the whole family.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy - It's simple to prepare and can be marinated up to a few hours prior to grilling.

Grilled - The grilling lends the chicken a lovely smoky flavor. (and no mess in the kitchen)

Delicious - moist and tangy and perfect for the whole family.

Mulitple uses - use it as-is for dinner, as a topping for a salad, or for some yummy tacos.

Cooking with Alcohol

Now you're probably asking yourself, why do I have to add alcohol to the mix? Well, you don't have to, but I love to work with recipes that contain some sort of alcohol. Whether it is wine, rum, tequila, or beer - you can add so much flavor with just a splash.

The alcohol is used to bring out the flavor in food, much like salt, as the alcohol tends to evaporate quickly delivering aromas that help enhance the enjoyment of the dish. Alcohol also bonds well with fat and water helping the herbs and spices to easily soak into the marinated meats.

If you’re cooking the meat, then alcohol is your tasty friend. The flavor of the liquor complements without overpowering the dish.

Adding the right amount of alcohol to the marinade is essential as too much can break down the proteins and affect the texture. Just a splash is usually enough, with the exception of wine, to add flavor and have a major impact on the taste.

In the case of this tequila lime chicken, I used just a slight bit more tequila as I wanted the taste of the tequila to have a major impact on the taste. Try it, I know you'll love it!

A good rule of thumb - Use darker alcohols, like stout or whiskey, with dark meats like pork and beef and lighter spirits, like gin and tequila, with white meats and seafood.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for the tequila lime chicken marinade and the chicken:

• Tequila - adds a depth of flavor to the marinade, seasoning the meat, and making it taste better and smell amazing. Use a good quality tequila for the best result. You can also leave it out if you prefer not to cook with alcohol.
• Lime Juice - adds tons of flavor to the dish as well as aiding in neutralizing the fleshy taste of the chicken. Fresh is best.
• Olive Oil - brings all the herbs and spices together allowing them to easier coat the meat.
• Salt - enhances all the flavors
• Garlic - gives this chicken a pungent, aromatic, slightly spicy edge
• Fresh jalapeno pepper - gives the chicken a tex-mex spiciness
• Fresh cilantro - adds a bit more tex-mex flavor to the mix. Leave it out if cilantro isn't your thing.
• Chicken - use skinless boneless chicken breasts for the easiest prep and serve.

How to Make Tequila Lime Chicken

1. In a medium resealable bag, combine lime juice, tequila, olive oil, salt, garlic, jalapenos, and cilantro.
2. Add chicken to bag and seal. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes, turning halfway through.

4. When ready to grill, preheat the grill.
5. Take the chicken out of the bag and discard the marinade.
6. Grill chicken for about 8 minutes per side or until thoroughly cooked through. (If adding cheese slices, add in the last minute and allow them to melt.)

7. Place the tequila lime chicken on a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Either serve a whole breast per person or slice thinly and pass it around with accompanying side dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions on Cooking with Alcohol

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This helps the chicken to cook evenly.
• You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Cooking time will be slightly longer. Make sure the internal temp is 165°F.
• Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes after grilling before slicing.

Alternate Cooking Methods

If you don't have a grill, you can cook the chicken on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the air fryer:

• Stovetop: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a little oil and cook the chicken for about 6 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
• Baked in the Oven: Place the chicken in a baking dish. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
• Air Fryer: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Air fry at 360°F for 18 to 20 minutes or until cooked through.

What To Serve With Tequila Lime Chicken

Almost any side dish will taste delicious with this zesty chicken. I like to serve mine with Spanish rice, black bean salad, or grilled corn on the cob,

Of course, if you are going the tacos route, serve these cilantro lime chicken tacos with soft tortillas, sliced tomatoes, sliced avocado, shredded cheese, slices of lime, salsa, sour cream, and chopped fresh cilantro.

What else can I make with margarita chicken?

This is a great recipe to double up on and use throughout the week. Use it on:

• Adds a protein to your favorite summer salads
• Toss it in with your favorite creamy spaghetti sauce
• Substitute this lime chicken for beef in a taco salad
• Roll it in soft tortillas for a Taco Tuesday dinner

How to Store and Reheat

• To Store: Cool the chicken completely and place it in an airtight container or plastic zip-top bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To Freeze: Cool the chicken completely and place it on a baking sheet with space between. Freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen chicken to a plastic freezer bag or wrap them individually in both plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• To Reheat in the Microwave: Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave at 60% power in 30-second intervals until heated through.
• To Reheat in the Oven: Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish with a few tablespoons of chicken broth. Heat at 350°F until heated through.
• To Reheat on the Stovetop: Place the chicken and a few tablespoons of chicken broth in a skillet. Cover and cook over low heat until heated through.

More Delicious Mexican Recipes

Roasted Red Pepper and Cheese Quesadillas - are packed full of black beans, roasted red peppers, a touch of bacon & just plain oozing with cheese. Great as an appetizer, lunch, or light dinner.

Turkey/Chicken Enchilada Casserole - is an easy-to-make dinner that takes just 20 minutes of prep. Just layer tortillas with turkey & cheese and pop it in the oven. It's that easy!

Marinated Flank Steak with Chimichurri from Girl with The Iron Cast - makes the perfect grilled dinner.

Taco Tortilla Stack - is an easy, deliciously cheesy south-of-the-border dinner. Layers of spicy ground beef, creamy guacamole, and ooey gooey melty cheese are sandwiched between tortillas and then baked in the oven.

Find lots of easy chicken recipes here on 2CM!