This easy Mexican chicken marinade has a well-balanced flavor from chili, chipotle, garlic and onion powder and a nice freshness from lime. In addition to lime juice, this marinade also has lime zest for a strong lime flavor that pairs perfectly with the spices. The marinade is great for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that you can use for anything from tacos to fajitas to salads.
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Why make this recipe?
This marinade produces delicious grilled chicken breast that’s perfect for any Mexican dish, such as fajitas, tacos and tostadas. You can also use it on fresh salads!
What’s in the marinade?
Ingredient notes:
- Chili powder is a blend of spices that includes various ground chili peppers in addition to cumin, oregano, garlic and salt. You can use mild, medium or hot chili powder for this marinade, depending on how spicy you like it.
How to make and use the marinade:
Step 1. Zest and juice a lime.
Step 2. Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a bowl.
Step 3. Set chicken breasts on a cutting board or a cutting mat and cover with plastic wrap. Lightly pound the thick ends with a meat mallet or a rolling pin until you get an even thickness. Set aside.
Step 4. Add the chicken breasts to a resealable plastic bag, pour the marinade into the bag, close and refrigerate for 1 hour. Take the chicken out of the bag and grill.
Frequently asked questions:
Slice the grilled chicken breasts into strips and use them in fajitas, tacos or tostadas. You can also add the slices to a fresh salad and serve with a chili oregano dressing.
If you’re using mild chili powder, this marinade will be mildly spicy from the ground chipotle pepper. Use medium or hot chili powder for a spicier marinade.
More delicious chicken marinade recipes:
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Full Printable Recipe
Mexican Chicken Marinade
Equipment
- measuring spoons
- citrus zester
- cutting board or cutting mat
- plastic wrap
- meat mallet or rolling pin
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- resealable plastic bag
- grill
Ingredients
For the marinade:
- 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons mild olive oil
- ½ teaspoon chili powder*
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
Instructions
For the marinade:
- Zest, then juice the lime.
- Add all marinade ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined.
For the chicken:
- Set the chicken breasts on a cutting board or mat, cover with plastic wrap and pound the thick ends with a meat mallet or a rolling pin into even thickness.
- Transfer the chicken to a resealable plastic bag, pour in the marinade, then close the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Take the chicken out, discard the bag and the marinade and grill the chicken.
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