Southwest Chicken Marinade

This Southwest Chicken Marinade is the perfect way to spice up your chicken dinner! Chicken breast is infused with a spicy, tangy, salty marinade, then grilled until juicy, tender, and incredibly flavorful.

this Recipe

 

I love anything with a Southwestern flavors…Southwest chicken chili, baked Southwest chicken casserole, Crockpot Southwest chicken, bone-in Southwest pork chops…there isn’t much with “Southwest” in the name that my family will not devour happily.

This Southwest chicken marinade is one of my favorite ways to infuse flavor into chicken breast. It’s made with just a few ingredients that I always keep on hand and takes next to no time to prep. Plus, the flavor it gives your chicken is incredible!

Why I LOVE this recipe!

• So simple – Just a couple of standard ingredients and a few seasonings needed.
• Versatile – While this marinade is delicious used on chicken breast, you can use it with pretty much any cut of chicken or even another meat entirely.
• Easy to prep ahead – Get ahead by whipping up the spice blend, marinating and freezing the chicken, or making the whole recipe, then storing the prepared chicken in the fridge or freezer.

Ingredients + Substitutions

• Chicken Breast – You’ll need 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast—thin or butterflied for quick marinating and quick cooking.
  
• Spices – We’re using the perfect blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, ground pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  
• Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice adds a delicious brightness and breaks the meat down for an extra tender texture.
  
• Vegetable Oil – Adds moisture and helps the seasonings stick to the chicken.

Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.

Recipe Variations

If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Marinade – This marinade already has a little bit of heat thanks to the chili powder and optional 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne, but if you like it extra spicy feel free to to add even more cayenne pepper. You can also give it a little bit of heat with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
  
• Southwest Lime Chicken Marinade – There’s already a subtle flavor of fresh lime in this marinade, but if you really love the brightness that it provides, feel free to add more to taste.
  
• Southwest BBQ Chicken Marinade – .Give your marinade that sweet and tangy flavor of BBQ by simply adding a drizzle of your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce.

Recipe Step by Step

I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Southwest chicken marinade.

Recipe Tips

1. The longer you marinate, the better! – If you’re on a. little bit of a time crunch, you can marinate the chicken for just 20 minutes and achieve delicious results. However, if you are prepping ahead, I recommend a full 4 hours. The flavor is just hard to beat!
   
2. Try another cooking method – I love the smoky flavor of grilled chicken, but this recipe is also great with baked chicken, crockpot chicken, or skillet chicken. Scroll to the recipe card below for instructions!
   
3. Let it rest – After cooking and before serving, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes to let the flavor and juices settle. If you slice into it too soon, that moisture will seep out.
   
4. Use another cut of chicken – Chicken thighs, wings, legs, or even a whole chicken can be used for this recipe. Keep in mind that another cut of chicken will require a different cooking time. Adjust accordingly!

Freezer Meal Instructions

Making this chicken recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To Freeze Before Cooking

1. Make the spice blend as instructed, then rub the chicken thoroughly with the seasonings. Add in the lime juice and oil, mix to combine, then place into a ziplock bag.
2. Place the prepared chicken into the freezer, then store for up to 3 months.
3. When you’re ready to cook your chicken, simply let it thaw in the fridge first, then grill as directed.

How to Freeze Southwest Marinated Chicken After Cooking

1. Marinate and cook the chicken as instructed, then let it cool completely.
2. Place the cooled chicken into a freezer-safe container or bag, then store in the freezer for 2-3 months.
3. When you’re ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm at 350ºF in the oven until heated through.

What to Serve with Southwest Marinated Chicken

Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of the Southwest, it will pair well with many of your favorite Southwest-inspired side dishes.

Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.

Side Dish Ideas

• Southwest Corn Dip – Tie in the Southwest flavors of your chicken with this mouthwatering corn dip. It’s quick, easy, creamy, spicy, and perfect served with chips or fresh veggies.
• Crock Pot Black Beans – Make your meal extra protein-dense with this recipe. It’s made with dried black beans slow cooked with the perfect blend of spices. Enjoy mixed with rice to round your meal out even more.
• Mexican Roasted Vegetables – These Mexican roasted veggies utilize many of the same seasonings used in this recipe. The perfect way to add some nutrition and color to your chicken dinner!
• Mango Salsa– This chicken makes the perfect summer meal served with a scoop of this salsa right on top.
• Cilantro Lime Rice– Paired with mango salsa and black beans for dinner perfection.