• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Grain Free Table logo
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Let’s Connect
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Let's Connect
  • Work With Me
  • About
×

Home » Recipes

The Best Tequila Lime Chicken

Published: May 19, 2020 · Modified: Jan 28, 2022 by Sara Vaughn · Leave a Comment

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Click for complete disclosures. 

This is the Best Tequila Lime Chicken marinade that uses easy yet flavorful ingredients that go from inside to the grill, and your chicken anything but boring!

Tequila Lime Chicken

Chicken is something that we all eat a lot of, and people often complain about being boring. Well, this tequila lime chicken is anything but boring. I make this recipe a lot because it's so easy to do, and it's delicious.

Funny story, our oldest asked me the last time I made this if she and her sister could have it. I looked at her funny and asked her why she would think that. Apparently, she thought we were letting her have tequila when she knows that the drinks at the bar are for adults only. I mean, I'm glad she knows she is too young for that, but it made me laugh because she thought we were being naughty and letting her have the "adult chicken."

Ingredients in Tequila Lime Chicken

    • Chicken
    • Lime Juice
    • Honey
    • Garlic
    • Cilantro
    • Cumin
    • Garlic
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Avocado Oil
    • Tequila
Tequila Lime chicken

REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER FOR FREE AND RECEIVE WEEKLY RECIPE NOTIFICATIONS AND SUBSCRIBER ONLY BONUSES.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW GRAIN FREE TABLE ON PINTEREST TO MAKE IT EASY TO SAVE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES!

Making Tequila Lime Chicken

  1. Mix the marinade ingredients.
  2. Let the chicken rest in the sauce for 15 minutes - 4 hours. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavor it will have.
  3. Cook the chicken on the grill, on a grill pan, or in the oven as you want.
  4. Let the chicken rest 5-10 minutes and enjoy!

Grilling vs. Cooking Inside

Really both work, and it depends on personal preference. This is one of my go-to recipes for the grill and taking taco Tuesday outside in the summer when the weather is nice. If you don't want to grill, it can easily be cooked inside on a grill pan or in the oven.

How to Cook Chicken

This is a question I get a lot because people say chicken comes out dry. The main reason for this is because people are over-cooking their chicken. I know there is immense fear of eating raw chicken and getting salmonella, but I promise, no one wants ether.

When I'm cooking chicken, I always stop the cooking at 160 degrees and remove the chicken from heat. I do this because the chicken will cook for a while longer once you remove it from the heat. If you pull it off at 165 by letting it rest, it will be closer to 170-175, depending on the cooking source. If you want your chicken to be cooked but not dry, make sure you are not overcooking it.

I always use my favorite instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature when I am cooking any meats.

Bone-in Chicken vs Boneless Chicken

Again this comes down to personal preference. I will make this recipe both ways. I will usually do more bone-in chicken when I am grilling because I find it maintains moisture better. However, if I plan to cut it up for easy grilled tacos, I will use boneless chicken.

Butcher Box Offer of the Month

Tips and Tricks

  • If you are grilling the chicken and the chicken is sticking to the grill plates, do not try to move it. This means the chicken isn't ready to flip, so let it cook a little bit longer. It will release easier once it has cooked a bit longer.
  • Grill the chicken on medium-high heat. I find this is the best temperature for searing the chicken to cook while leaving the finished chicken juicy.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

Meyer Lemon Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken

Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas 

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas 

tequila lime chicken

The Best Tequila Lime Chicken

Sara Vaughn
Take taco Tuesday outside to the grill with this easy Tequila Lime Chicken perfect for everyone!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 29 mins
Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 335 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 - 1 ½ lbs Chicken pieces of choice
  • ½ C Lime Juice fresh is best
  • ¼ C Tequila
  • 2 TBS Honey
  • ½ C Chopped Cilantro
  • 2 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 TSP Garlic Powder
  • 2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • ½ C Avocado Oil

Instructions
 

  • Combine the lime juice, tequila, honey, garlic, cilantro, and spices into a shallow bowl or zip-lock bag
  • Marinate the chicken pieces in the marinade for at least 15-minutes or overnight in the fridge

Grilling the Chicken

  • Preheat the grill to medium heat. 
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill the chicken pieces 7-10 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the chicken. (see notes above).
  • Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 4-10 minutes before serving.

Baking the Chicken

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and place it in a baking dish.
  • Cook the chicken for about 25-30 minutes depending on thickness or until the chicken reads 160 degrees. 
  • Let the chicken rest, and enjoy!      

Notes

  • If you are grilling the chicken and the chicken is sticking to the grill plates, do not try to move it. This means the chicken isn’t ready to flip, so let it cook a little bit longer. It will release easier once it has cooked a bit longer.
  • Grill the chicken on medium heat. I find this is the best temperature for searing the chicken to cook while leaving the finished chicken juicy.
Keyword chicken marinade, chicken,, grilled chicken, marinade, tequila, tequila lime, tequila lime chicken

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #grainfreetable or @grainfreetable on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with!

Check these out next!

  • Gluten-free Garlic Bread
  • Gluten-free Vanilla Cake
  • Easy Gluten-free French Bread
  • Super Soft Gluten-free Brioche Bread

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Grain Free Table Author Sara in her kitchen

Welcome to Grain Free Table! I’m Sara- a busy wife, mom of two girls, and lover of food. Here you’ll find lots of easy and delicious gluten & allergy-friendly recipes, info about my favorite food & products, as well as little snippets of my health journey as I navigate my gluten-free way of life!

More about me →

WANT TO STAY CONNECTED?

SIGN UP FOR EMAILS AND UPDATES!

FIND ME ON SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

WHAT'S NEW ON INSTAGRAM

Skip the overpriced crowded restaurants this Valen Skip the overpriced crowded restaurants this Valentine’s Day and make this delicious French onion chicken dinner and enjoy a relaxing night at home this year instead.

You get all the flavors you love in French onion soup in this super comforting chicken dinner. It’s the ultimate, unexpected romantic dinner your loved one will enjoy this year!

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/french-onion-chicken/ or use the site link in my bio!

Are you team date night out or date night in for Valentines?

#glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreediet #glutenfreefood #glutenfreedinner #datenightdinner #datenightideas #valentinesdinner #frenchonionchicken
We have an unexpected weather day here due to icy We have an unexpected weather day here due to icy roads. That means everyone is home with school closing, along with most of the local stores.

Thankfully, I already have everything on hand to whip up a batch of my gluten-free hamburger helper for dinner tonight. 

It's warm and comforting on this icy cold day, all while having dinner ready in no time at all. 

If you need something quick, easy, and delicious head to https://grainfreetable.com/easy-weeknight-skillet-chili-mac-and-cheese/ for the full recipe or use the site link in my bio.

#glutenfreepasta #glutenfreedinner #glutenfreefood #glutenfreediet #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreemeals #easyweeknightmeals #hamburgerhelper
If you want an easy but fancy-ish dinner for this If you want an easy but fancy-ish dinner for this weekend, you must make my gluten-free chicken parm!

You get all the juicy chicken coated in a gluten-free breading, all topped with marinara and gooey cheese. It's the ultimate gluten-free chicken dinner.

Just be warned, you should make extras for those wanting seconds. 🙃

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/crispy-gluten-free-chicken-parmesan/ or click the site link in my bio. 

#glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreefood #glutenfreedinner #glutenfreechicken #glutenfreechickenparm #chickenparmesan #chickenparm
With all the delicious soups going around this tim With all the delicious soups going around this time of year, I should remind you that it all goes well with some homemade gluten-free garlic bread. 🙃

Find out all my tips and tricks for the best garlic bread at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-garlic-bread/ or use the site link in my bio.

#glutenfreebread #glutenfreegarlicbread #garlicbread #garlicbreadrecipe #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreebreadrecipe #glutenfreefood
It's a SNOW day around here, and my kids are so ha It's a SNOW day around here, and my kids are so happy since it's the first snow day they've had all school year, haha. We've had snow, but this is the first time it's lasted long enough for my husband to need to shovel and the kids to get off school and go out and build a snowman.

All the cold has me inside, making more of this gluten-free vegetable soup with chorizo. It's the perfect way to warm up on a cold day.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/kale-and-chorizo-soup/, along with more of our favorite gluten-free soup recipes.

#glutenfree #glutenfreefood #glutenfreesoup #glutenfreesoups #glutenfreerecipe #kalesoup #souprecipe #vegetablesoup
Need to add a little red luck this weekend for the Need to add a little red luck this weekend for the Chinese New Year?

Don't worry there is still time to make my gluten-free Chinese BBQ pork, Char Siu.

With a bit of patience to let the pork marinate long enough, you'll be amazed at how much this gluten-free version tastes, just like your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-chinese-bbq-pork-char-siu/ or use the link in my bio to snag the recipe on the site. 

#glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreechinese #glutenfreepork #glutenfreefood #glutenfreerecipe #chinesenewyear
I don't know who needs to hear this, but this glut I don't know who needs to hear this, but this gluten-free pulled pork makes the perfect weeknight dinner.

Let it go low and slow; dinner will be ready when you need it to be. 

Trust me when I say no matter how you serve it on some gluten-free buns with a bit of coleslaw, or you make pulled pork stuffed potatoes, it's always a hit!

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-dutch-oven-bbq-pulled-pork/ or use the link in my bio to head to the site.
This gluten-free beef stew is the perfect bowl of This gluten-free beef stew is the perfect bowl of comfort food to warm up with on these cold winter nights.

Find the full recipe at https://grainfreetable.com/slow-cooked-gluten-free-beef-stew/ or use the link in my bio.

#glutenfreesoup #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreefood #glutenfreedairyfree #beefstew #dairyfreerecipes
It's the weekend, and this gluten-free vanilla cak It's the weekend, and this gluten-free vanilla cake will make it a celebration no matter what you've got going on!

It's light and fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness to make it extra special!

Find the full recipe along with my easy gluten-free frosting and get baking at 
https://grainfreetable.com/gluten-free-vanilla-cake/ or use the link in my bio to find it on the site.

Popular Recipes

gluten free swedish meatball being picked up with a black fork ready to be enjoyed.

Incredibly Easy Gluten-free Swedish Meatballs

Homemade gluten-free sweet and tangy bbq beef jerky sitting in a jar and spilled over the side.

Sweet and Tangy BBQ Beef Jerky

Louisiana style red beans and cauliflower rice in a white pan with a wooden handle sitting over a white table linen on a marble counter.

Louisiana Red Beans and Cauliflower Rice

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • My Favorites
  • Let's Connect
  • About

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Portfolio
  • Client Inquiry Form

Disclaimers

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Nutrition Disclaimer
  • Photo/ Recipe Policy
  • Comment Policies

Contact

  • Contact
  • Subscribe

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Grain Free Table