Get your grill going and make this incredibly moist and perfectly Whenever I get the grill going, I always add my tequila lime chicken recipe. It’s got so much flavor and moisture because my marinade is next level. I add some citrus with orange and lime along with spices and herbs. They are a hit.
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How to Make Tequila Lime Chicken
- Combine the tequila, lime juice, lime zest, orange juice, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl and whisk until the ingredients are combined.
- Place the chicken in a large plastic storage bag and pour the southwestern chicken marinade over the top. Make sure to submerge the chicken. Close the storage bag and store it in the refrigerator for at least three hours or overnight for more intense flavor.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and season with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Grill the chicken on all sides until cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the grill. Cover it with foil and rest for a few minutes to allow juices to settle. Slice it up and garnish with chopped cilantro and lime zest for serving.
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Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 cup tequila
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp lime zest
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
- 1 lb boneless chicken pieces thighs or breasts
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together tequila, lime juice, lime zest, orange juice, olive oil and worchestershire sauce until combined.
- Pour marinade into large plastic storage bag then submerge chicken, close storage bag and store in refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight for more intensified flavor.
- When ready to grill, remove chicken from marinade and season with salt and pepper, and evenly with paprika and garlic powder.
- Grill chicken on all sides until cooked through then remove from grill, cover with foil and rest to allow juices to settle. Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime zest and serve.
Notes
How to Store
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months. You can store the chicken whole, sliced, or chopped depending on how you plan to use them. However, if you plan to reheat it, I prefer to store the breasts whole and then cut them once reheated. Reheat whole chicken breasts in the microwave at 75% power for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the oven. For this method place the chicken on a baking tray with a bit of water and covered it with foil. Bake at 325° F for 10 minutes or until heated through. Sliced or chopped chicken can be reheated in a skillet or microwave.Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Let it marinate. The longer you allow the chicken to marinate the more time it has to penetrate and tenderize the chicken, giving us so much moisture. Feel free to play around with dry rubs for it to add even more flavor once you get the hang of it.
- Don’t be afraid to get that grill hot! We want a slight char without burning and a quick cooking time.
- Let it rest. Slicing too early will cause the juices to seep out. Let the breasts rest for at least 5 minutes, giving them time to redistribute their juices.
Recipe Help
Ideally, any cut of meat should be marinated anywhere from 12-24 hours for maximum flavor infusion. But, I know that’s not always possible. I find that a 3-hour soak is just the right amount of time to ensure the ideal texture and flavor. Chicken breasts are naturally a drier cut of meat so, if you’re short on time, cut the breasts into thinner slices. No matter what, give it at least an hour of marinating.
For regular-sized chicken breasts, grill for 5-7 minutes on each side or, until a thermometer reads 165 degrees.
More Grill Recipes
This post was originally published June 2018. It has been republished with new content and images.
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This was great. Chicken was moist and delicious. Will make again for sure.
Yay! Happy to hear that!
Won’t an overnight marinate time in all that citrus juice affect the quality of the chicken meat and start it cooking … as in ceviche?
I haven’t had that problem, that’s not to say that if the chicken is extremely thin that it won’t do that. But with a regular size chicken breast it is fine.
How long can I leave this to marinate (in a ziplock)? I’m trying to plan for a family visit and want to get as much done ahead of time as possible.
All your recipes look so delicious can’t wait to try the
Teguila lime chicken makes my mouth water. Thank you for the great recipes. Happy Fourth of July.
Thank you so much! Happy 4th to you as well!
love lime-lemon with chicken, if only just to help tenderize chicken breasts a bit, and also really like the extra pop from the tequila, great dish, thank you!
This tequila lime chicken looks and sounds marvelous. Can’t wait to taste it.