Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken
Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken is packed with bright, zesty flavors! It’s a Tex-Mex inspired meal that’ll steal the show any night of the week!
Why go out to dinner when this gourmet, mouthwatering Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken recipe is so easy to make at home? Tender, juicy chicken breasts marinated in agave nectar, lime, and tequila are grilled to a delicioso perfection your family will love!
The Zing is in the Marinade!
Tequila Lime Chicken – sometimes called Margarita Chicken or Fiesta Chicken – is packed with protein and flavor! The proof is in the marinade (and in the tequila!).
For juicy, flavorful chicken, basting alone isn’t enough. You must marinate. Marinating chicken allows the meat to soak up all the rich flavor of the tequila and the bright zest of the lime. The result is a Tex-Mex chicken dish that is so tender you can cut it with a fork!
Other Recipes for Tequila Lime Chicken
- Black Bean Rice Pilaf brings all the best Mexican ingredients together for the perfect Tequila Lime Chicken side dish!
- You won’t be able to stop eating these Honey Jalapeno Cornbread Drop Biscuits! Spicy, sweet, buttery bites of YUM!
Ingredients
Chicken: This recipe calls for meaty, tender, boneless, skinless breasts. But, as with most chicken recipes, other cuts will work almost as well, including tenders or boneless thighs.
Liquids: Tequila and lime juice bring robust, distinctive flavors to this amazing recipe! Olive oil keeps the chicken moist for grilling. Agave nectar (or honey) balances the flavors with natural sugar.
Seasoning: Salt, pepper, onion powder and chopped garlic round out the fabulous flavors in this marinade. And, of course, chopped cilantro (optional for some!)
How to Make Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken
STEP ONE: About one hour before grilling, whisk the tequila, olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, onion powder, and agave nectar (or honey). Stir in the cilantro and garlic.
STEP TWO: Pour the marinade mixture into a gallon zip-top food storage bag. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and smush the marinade around to coat the chicken. Set in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour.
STEP THREE: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Place the chicken breasts on the grill, leaving space between them, and cook for 5 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side for another 5-6 minutes or until grilled to an internal temperature of 160 F.
STEP FOUR: Remove the grill from the heat and allow it to rest covered for 5 minutes. Serve with amazing side dishes and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- For extra flavor, add the zest of a lime to your marinade.
- Don’t be concerned about the marinade’s alcohol content. It will simply cook off on the grill, producing a sweet, smoky flavor.
- Always let meat “rest” for 5 minutes after cooking before cutting into it.
- Cilantro tastes AMAZING in this recipe…unless you’re on Team “Cilantro Tastes Like Soap!” If you do not like cilantro, toss in a little parsley instead.
- Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of parchment paper and pound them with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin until they are even thickness, ensuring no burned edges on the grill.
What is the Best Way to Reheat Leftover Chicken Breasts?
The key to reheating leftover chicken is to keep it moist! One way to do this is to wrap the chicken in foil (leaving a tiny opening to release steam) and warm it in the toaster oven. The foil will keep it from drying out.
Another way to reheat chicken is to add a little water to the bottom of a skillet and set the pan on medium heat. When the water begins to simmer, turn the heat low and add the chicken to the pan. Cover and heat until it reaches 160 F. Both methods work great!
How Long Should You Marinate Chicken?
The optimal time for chicken to soak in a marinade is 6-12 hours. The smaller the cut of meat, the less time it needs to absorb the flavors. So, chicken nuggets or thin-sliced cutlets may only need a couple of hours, while larger, bone-in pieces like drumsticks or thighs will do better with a longer marinating time.
That being said, even 15 minutes of marinating is better than none!
On the flip side, you CAN marinate chicken for too long. After 24 hours, the meat fibers start to break down, leaving the texture of the chicken soft and mushy.
Other Luscious, Lovely Lime Recipes
- Cilantro Lime Tacos
- Grilled Honey Lime Chicken
- Basil Lime Shrimp Skewers
- Cilantro Lime Turkey Wrap
- Jalapeno Lime Chicken Wings
- Grilled Corn with Honey Chili Lime Butter
*This post originally posted on 07/30/2015.
Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- ½ cup tequila (gold or silver)
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 limes juiced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
- 1 bunch cilantro roughly chopped (optional)
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the tequila, olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, onion powder, and agave nectar. Add the garlic and cilantro and stir to combine.
- Pour the marinade into a gallon-sized zip-top food storage bag.
- Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Use tongs to remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess liquid drip back into the bag. Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook for 5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 160 degrees F).
- Remove from the grill to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes.
- Remove the foil and serve warm with your favorite side dishes or slice the chicken for salads, burritos, or tacos.
