Mexican Chicken Marinade

Mexican Chicken Marinade is simple to make and gives chicken the best Mexican flavors!  You can use it to make amazing tacos, burritos, fajitas or it is just as delicious to eat on its own.

this Recipe

Easy Mexican Chicken Marinade

Growing up in Texas, Mexican food is part of my blood. There is probably nothing I miss more about living in Texas than those bold, delicious flavors.

Of course we couldn’t live without Mexican food, so from necessity, we have gotten pretty good at making at home versions of our favorites now!

This Mexican Chicken Marinade is perfect for creating that flavor in tender chicken breast. We especially like to grill the chicken, but you can also use this marinade for the oven, crock pot, Instant Pot, or stove top.

How to Serve Mexican Chicken

We love to eat this Mexican Marinated Chicken plated with a couple of sides, but you can chop it up for some pretty phenomenal tacos, burritos, salads, and more.  This Mexican Chicken is just our all around go-to!

Mexican Chicken Sides:

• Chips and Salsa – this homemade version is so easy and AMAZINGLY delicious!
• Mexican Street Corn Casserole – Reader Favorite!
• Black beans
• Rice
• Green chile mashed potatoes
• Mexican Cornbread
• Sautéed onions and peppers

You can also browse all of our side dish recipes here!

These are a few of our favorites, but if you have another dish you love to serve with Mexican marinated chicken, let me know in the comments so we can give it a try!

How to Make Mexican Chicken Marinade

This is a super simple recipe that should only take minutes!  I am going to walk through some tips for making it here, and you can hop down to the bottom of the post to get the full recipe.

1. To make marinade, whisk together the salsa, lime juice, cilantro, taco seasoning, and vegetable oil.
   • You can use any salsa you like best for this marinade. Both jarred and homemade work well.
   • The lime juice will help to tenderize the chicken. I HIGHLY recommend using fresh lime juice to get the best flavor in your chicken.
   • You can use store bought or homemade taco seasoning. If you are gluten free or low carb, I recommend using this homemade taco seasoning which works for both, and is amazingly delicious!
2. Poke chicken all over with a fork. Place the chicken in a dish or zip top bag and pour the marinade over the chicken to cover completely. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, and up to overnight.
   • You can either poke the chicken with a fork or very lightly score it on a diagonal with a knife. This helps the marinade to penetrate the chicken for maximum flavor and tenderness.
   • I think the optimal time to marinate the chicken is 2 hours, however you will get a lot of flavor in as little as 30 minutes. If you are hoping to prepare this beforehand, you can marinate the meat overnight.
3. Heat the grill to medium heat and brush with oil to prevent sticking. Place chicken on the grill and cook for 4-6 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Cook to an internal temperature of 165˚F.
   • I like to butterfly my chicken breasts (cut to half the thickness) so that they cook more quickly an evenly, but that is not required.
   • The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken. Thicker pieces will take longer.
   • If you notice the chicken getting more done than you like on the outside, move the chicken to a cooler spot on the grill.
4. Once done, remove chicken from grill and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
   • Allowing the chicken to rest before cutting into it will help to seal in the juices.

Mexican Chicken Marinade FAQ’s

Can I use other cuts of chicken like chicken thighs, wings, or tenderloins?

Yes! This Mexican Chicken Marinade is good for any cut of chicken. The cooking time will change depending on the cut of meat you use though.

Can I make the Mexican Chicken Marinade ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the chicken and marinade as directed and let marinate for up to 24 hours. If you want to prepare the chicken before that, you can trim the chicken and prepare the marinade and then keep them separate until you fall in the 24 hour window and combine them to marinate. The marinade can be made up to 1 week in advance.

I don’t want to grill my chicken. Can I cook the chicken in the oven, or on the stove top?

Yes! Once the chicken is marinated, it can be cooked in any method you prefer with good results. I have made this chicken in the oven, on the stove top, and in the slow cooker with good results. The cooking time will vary based on method.

My chicken got burnt in some spots. What did I do wrong?

Grilling is an art as much as a science!  The combination of temperature, time, and thickness all play a part in cooking the chicken.  You will want to keep an eye on your meat as it cooks, since even the best grills can have uneven or hot spots. If you notice a piece getting more browned than you want, move it to a cooler spot on the grill to finish cooking.

How do I save leftover Mexican Chicken?

Once cooked, cool the chicken completely, and then package in an airtight container. Store in the:

• Refrigerator for 3-4 days
• Freezer for up to a month

Leftover Meal Ideas

If you have leftovers of this chicken, it is one of our favorites to make delicious new meals from that are hardly recognizable from the original! Here are some of our favorites:

• Mexican Chicken Tacos– chop the chicken up and serve it along with your favorite toppings and hard or soft taco shells.
• Mexican Chicken Smothered Burritos– on a large tortilla, spread beans, rice, chopped Mexican chicken, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo. Wrap them up and place in a baking dish.  Cover the top with your favorite salsa or enchilada sauce and more cheese. Bake at 350˚F for 15-25 minutes or until heated through.
• Mexican Chicken Salad– Layer chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce, black beans, corn, pico de gallo, and shredded cheese in a bowl. Add a scoop of sour cream, guacamole, and crumbled tortilla chips to the top. Drizzle with salsa and enjoy!
• Mexican Chicken Power Bowl– On a bed of your favorite grain (or cauliflower rice) layer black beans, fajita veggies, tomatoes, green onions, and any extra toppings you love onto the bowl. Top with Mexican chicken.  Toss with your favorite salsa or olive oil and lime juice and enjoy!

More Easy Dinner Ideas

If you enjoyed this Mexican Chicken Marinade, I hope you will try a few more of my recipes! Here are some popular recipes from the site!

• Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
• Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
• Cajun Chicken Skillet
• Or see all of our grilling recipes here!