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    Home » Recipes » Main Meal » Tequila Lime Chicken

    Published: Oct 24, 2022 by Linda Warren

    Tequila Lime Chicken

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken is a quick and easy meal with tons of flavor. The chicken is zesty but not overly spicy with a citrusy flavor enhanced by the addition of tequila.

    This margarita chicken is great with Spanish rice, tossed on a salad, or as a filling in your favorite tacos. Whichever way you serve it, it's sure to be requested again and again.

    Closeup of moist sliced tequila lime chicken on wooden board.

    Table of contents

    • Tequila Lime Chicken
    • What is Tequila Lime Chicken?
      • What does tequila lime chicken taste like?
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Cooking with Alcohol
    • Ingredients
    • Frequently Asked Questions on Cooking with Alcohol
    • Recipe Tips and Notes
    • Alternate Cooking Methods
    • What To Serve With Tequila Lime Chicken
    • What else can I make with margarita chicken?
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • More Delicious Mexican Recipes

    Tequila Lime Chicken

    I love easy dinners that take little hands-on time and especially those my husband takes over the grilling. This tequila chicken, aka margarita chicken, dinner takes just 10 minutes of prep, then pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes to marinate and 16 minutes to grill. It's a win-win for mom with less time in the kitchen and little cleanup. And it tastes soooo good!

    This tequila lime chicken recipe is just one of the ways I get my Tex-Mex fix. I love to chow down on Breakfast Street Tacos, munch my way through chips and some spicy cheese dip, or warm up with a bowl of Mexican chili.

    Sliced and whole grilled tequila chicken on wooden board with sliced tomatoes jalapeno and salsa.

    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.

    Overhead of tequila-marinated chicken with sides.

    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

    Ingredients for tequila chicken on white marble table.

    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

    Making marinade and adding to 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.
    Grilling chicken breasts.
    1. When ready to grill, preheat the grill.
    2. Take the chicken out of the bag and discard the marinade.
    3. 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.)
    Chicken dinner on wooden board with avocado, lime and tequila behind it.
    1. 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

    Why do I need to add tequila to the marinade?

    Alcohol is used to bring out the flavor and aromas of the food. Alcohol is also known to bond well with fat and water, helping herbs and spices soak into marinated meats more easily. It is not, as the majority of people believe, to tenderize it.

    Does the alcohol all burn off during cooking?

    Contrary to popular belief, unless the dish is going to cook for over an hour, there will still be a substantial amount of alcohol in the dish.

    Does it matter what quality the alcohol is that I use?

    Most definitely! If you won't drink it, don't use it! And that includes those bottled ones called cooking wine! It's all about the flavor the liquor lends to the dish so good quality with plenty of flavor is what you're looking for. However, you don't have to use expensive brands as the subtleness of these will be lost in the cooking.

    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!

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    Overhead of grilled chicken and ingredients on wooden board.

    Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken

    Tequila Lime Chicken is an easy dinner with plenty of citrusy margarita flavor. This moist, tender grilled chicken is sure to become a family favorite.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 16 minutes
    Marinate: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 56 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 273kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    Tequila Marinade for Chicken

    • 1 lime juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
    • ¼ cup tequila
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
    • ¼-1/2 jalapeno pepper chopped
    • ¼ bunch fresh cilantro chopped

    Grilled Chicken

    • 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts
    • 2 slices Monterey Jack cheese optional
    • Garnishes: Avocado slices tomato slices, lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, salsa and sour cream

    Instructions

    • In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the juice of the lime, tequila, olive oil, salt, garlic, jalapenos and cilantro.
    • Place chicken into bag, seal, shake to distribute marinade, then place in refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours, turning at least once.
    • When ready to cook, preheat grill to medium-hot.
    • Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade. Place chicken breasts on hot grill and cook for 8 minutes per side.
    • If opting for a cheese topping, in the last minute, place the slices of cheese on top of each breast and allow to melt.
    • Remove from grill and garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.

    Notes

    STORE/REHEAT/FREEZE
    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 714mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 137IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post has been updated with newer photos and step-by-step directions. It was first published on September 14, 2014. 

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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