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Make something delicious this week like Tequila Lime Chicken. Juicy marinated chicken thighs with tangy cilantro, lime and tequila grilled to perfection and paired with a mango salsa. Served over a fresh bed of rice, weeknight meals just got upgraded!
The tequila adds just a nice flavor to the chicken, the alcohol completely burns off on the grill and it makes the chicken so tender it will melt in your mouth. combined with smoky seasonings and a sweet fruit salsa, this meal is sure to please anyone in the family – trust me!
The flavor of tequila in this recipe is SO subtle, trust me you won’t hardly taste it. It elevates everything mixed with the lime and cilantro. This dish feels like you are on the beach in Mexico. I just love it.
Ingredient Notes
All other ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card towards the bottom of this post.
- Chicken Thighs. You can use thighs or breasts, I use both interchangeably.
- Seasonings. They carry a lot of weight in this delicious recipe. Cumin, salt, pepper, paprika.
- Olive Oil. This is to cook the chicken, I add a bit to the marinade.
- Tequila. Use any brand you love.
- Lime. Fresh lime zest and lime juice.
- Cilantro. For the marinade and the garnish.
- Mango Avocado Salsa. This is optional but HIGHLY recommended for this dish (so much yum!)
Steps To Make This Recipe
Ready to cook tequila lime chicken? Let me walk you through the recipe. For your convenience, there is a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Step One. In a large bowl or ziplock bag add the chicken. Add all other marinating ingredients and mix well.
- Step Two. Let the chicken marinate for 20 minutes or up to 12 hours.
- Step Three. Throw the chicken on a grill, skillet or grill pan. Cook on medium high heat for about 7-8 minutes on each side or until it’s 165º internal heat. All chicken will vary in cooking time depending on thickness and size.
Looking for what to serve with Tequila Lime Chicken?
I love to serve this over white rice with a fruit salsa. It balances everything so well. You can also serve it with a side salad.
Recipe Tips
- You can use non alcoholic tequila if needed.
- The alcohol burns off completely when cooking.
- Try not to marinate for more than 12 hours as the chicken can get overly tenderized.
Other Chicken Recipes To Try
Dinner
Crispy Chicken Tacos
Dinner
Thai Cashew Chicken
Recipes
Lemon Chicken and Orzo
Lunch
Crispy Chicken Wrap
Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken
Equipment
- skillet, grill or grill pan
- large bowl for marinating
Ingredients
- 1-1.5 lbs chicken thighs , or breasts
- 1 Tbsp lime zest
- 4 Tbsp lime juice , about 3 limes
- ¼ cup tequila, any brand
- ½ tsp salt & pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ bunch cilantro, chopped , more for garnish if desired
Instructions
- In a large bowl or ziplock bag add the chicken. Add all other marinating ingredients and mix well.
- Let the chicken marinate for 20 minutes or up to 12 hours.
- Throw the chicken on a grill, skillet or grill pan. Cook on medium/high heat for about 7-8 minutes on each side or until it's 165º internal heat. All chicken will vary in cooking time depending on thickness and size.Serve over rice and optional mango salsa or pineapple salsa!
Notes
- You can use non alcoholic tequila if needed.
- The alcohol burns off completely when cooking.
- Try not to marinate for more than 12 hours as the chicken can get overly tenderized.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze these for up to 2 months.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
