Name: The Best Tequila Lime Chicken
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 29 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1 - 1 1/2 lbs Chicken (pieces of choice); 1/2 C Lime Juice (fresh is best); 1/4 C Tequila; 2 TBS Honey; 1/2 C Chopped Cilantro; 2 TSP Cumin; 1 TSP Garlic Powder; 2 TSP Salt; 1 TSP Pepper; 1/2 C Avocado Oil

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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!

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

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Making Tequila Lime Chicken

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

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

The Best Tequila Lime Chicken

Take taco Tuesday outside to the grill with this easy Tequila Lime Chicken perfect for everyone!

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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!