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Mexican Chicken Marinade

Mexican Chicken Marinade
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This Mexican Chicken Marinade offers a vibrant burst of zesty, smoky, and slightly sweet flavors that infuse chicken with juicy tenderness and authentic Mexican flair. Ideal for grilling, baking, or pan-frying, it’s quick to prepare and easily customizable to suit your preferred spice level or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Zest and juice fresh limes, mince garlic, and chop cilantro. Having all ingredients ready helps the marinade come together quickly.
  2. Mix the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, honey, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
  3. Add Fresh Herbs: Stir in chopped cilantro last to preserve its bright flavor and color, making the marinade fresh and fragrant.
  4. Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken pieces in a shallow dish or a ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over and ensure each piece is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 4-6 hours for maximum flavor.
  5. Cook to Perfection: Grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken over medium heat until fully cooked through and slightly charred outside, locking in all the rich flavors.

Notes

  • Use fresh lime juice and garlic for authentic flavor.
  • Marinate chicken a maximum of 6 hours to avoid mushy texture.
  • Adjust chili powder gradually to control spice level.
  • Pat chicken dry before cooking for the best sear.
  • Reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken to use as a sauce or drizzle after cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican chicken marinade, spicy chicken marinade, lime chicken marinade, grilled Mexican chicken, easy chicken marinade

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/mexican-chicken-marinade/