Mexican Chicken Marinade

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This simple Mexican Chicken Marinade recipe is made with a few simple ingredients that most of you will have in your stores at home. It adds great depth of flavor, and can be whipped together in mere minutes then used to marinate chicken.

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Mexican Chicken Marinade

This easy Mexican marinade is easily adapted to suit your own tastes. If there is a spice you don’t like then leave it out, or swap it for something you do like. I’ve paired the marinade with chicken, but it would also work well with other meats, try it with some pork chops or beef steak.

You can also use this Mexican chicken marinade for tacos. Once this chicken has been cooked, slice or shred the chicken, then layer it up in your favorite flour or corn tortilla with a variety of crispy vegetables, sour cream and your favorite fresh salsas.

I also use Mexican chicken marinade for quesadillas, layering the chicken up with some black beans, corn and some shredded cheese.

Mexican chicken marinade recipe ingredients

• CHICKEN: I have used boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this recipe. This marinade is enough to coat 4 chicken breasts.
• OIL: I use regular olive oil or extra virgin olive oil for the base of the marinade. Olive oil is best as it has a great nutty flavor.
• LIME: I add freshly squeezed lime juice to the marinade. Lime works well with chicken and adds good acidity to the marinade.
• GARLIC: For the best flavor I use freshly minced garlic in the marinade, although garlic puree, frozen garlic or garlic powder, can work in a pinch.
• FRESH HERBS: I like to add some freshly chopped cilantro to the marinade for a burst of fresh herb flavor.
• SEASONING: I season the marinade with chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, black pepper and salt.

How to make Mexican Chicken Marinade

Mix together the oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, and paprika.

Place the chicken in a large bag and add the marinade.

Chill for at least one hour before cooking.

Flavor variations

• Chicken – I’ve used this marinade with chicken breast, but you could also use it with chicken legs, thighs, drumsticks or wings.
• Other protein – This marinade would also work really well on other meats, like turkey, pork, beef. Or try it with your favorite fish, or shellfish like shrimps.
• Acid – I’ve used fresh lime juice to add some acidity to the marinade. You could also use lemon juice in this marinade, or swap citrus juice for white wine vinegar.
• Fresh herbs – I used freshly chopped cilantro, but you could also use fresh thyme, rosemary or parsley in this marinade.
• Chili – If you don’t like chili leave out the chili powder. Or if you like your food extra spicy you can add more, or include some red pepper flakes in the marinade.
• Spices – You can adapt the seasoning in the marinade to suit your own tastes. If there’s a spice you don’t like then leave it out. You can use sweet, smoked or hot paprika, add some extra heat with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, add some ground coriander or onion powder.
• Sweet – Add a touch of sweetness to the marinade with a tablespoon of honey, maple syrup or agave syrup.

Serving suggestion

Once the chicken is cooked, it can be added to a variety of difference dishes. Great when sliced up and added to your favorite salads, sandwiches or in a burrito bowl. Or layer the chicken up with crunchy salad veggies, sour cream and fresh salsas to make the best tacos, quesadillas or burritos.

Recipe hints & tips

• The longer you marinate the chicken the better the flavor. If you are pushed for time, 30 minutes is ideal. However, if time allows marinade for 2-4 hours.
• I don’t recommend marinating the chicken for more than 12 hours as the acid from the fresh lime juice will start to break down the chicken, making it mushy.
• You can cook the marinated chicken is a variety of ways, whichever suits what you can available at home. You can cook the chicken on the barbecue, under the broiler, pan fry in a hot skillet on the stove top, place on a baking sheet and bake in the oven, or cook it in your air fryer.

FAQs

Try some of my favorite marinated meat recipes here at When is Dinner

• Air Fryer Chuck Roast
• Pineapple Chicken
• Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Kabobs
• Brown Sugar Pork Chops
• Easy Chicken Fajitas
• Skillet Honey Chicken
• Grilled Baby Back Ribs