Mexican Chicken Marinade Recipe

The BEST Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Recipe starts with a ridiculously simple marinade. Lime, chili and cumin powder, minced garlic, cilantro, salt and olive oil spice up ordinary chicken and make it so tender and juicy! Dunk it in white bbq sauce - AMAZING!

This is a wonderfully simple recipe that your whole family will request over and over again!

Serve the chicken thinly sliced over this teriyaki noodles recipe - what a perfect meal!

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Equipment
• Things to know
• Related recipes
• Mexican Chicken Marinade Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

If you haven't kicked off grilling season, this is the recipe to start (or continue!) with! and it's SO EASY!

✔️ Guys this is a great recipe, full of big flavor!

✔️ It's super easy and uses ingredients you have on hand.

✔️ Top off your southwest salad recipe on day two for a whole new meal!

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• olive oil
• limes
• cilantro
• garlic
• salt
• chili powder
• cumin
• boneless chicken breasts or thighs

Did you really need a shopping list? Ha! You have probably everything you need right?!!

Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

1. Add the olive oil to a measuring cup.
2. Juice the limes.
3. Mince the garlic and cilantro add it to the cup.
4. Add the spices.
5. Whisk everything together to combine.

See how easy?!!

Now just pour it over the chicken and let it marinade for only thirty minutes. The lime juice really helps tenderize the chicken and also keeps it juicy and moist.

After marinating onto the grill it goes! Cook the chicken until it's done (meat thermometer should register at 165 degrees).

I pull the chicken off the grill when it's 160 degrees and cover it with foil. The residual cooking will continue to cook the chicken and the temperature will raise to 165 degrees.

Covering the meat with foil to keep it hot!

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   

Grill Cleaning Brush - I know this is something we use all the time, if you need a new cleaning brush or other grilling accessories this one is great.

Things to know

• The meat should be firm, not rubbery. Don't over cook, nobody likes dry chicken!
• Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the meat.
• Cutting into or slicing the meat prior to resting will allow all of the juices to escape and make your chicken dry.

Related recipes

I'm such a fan of marinades and there are several on the blog that I know you love and you should definitely try! It's BBQ season - let's break out our grills!

• Lemon Pepper Marinade
• Teriyaki Marinade
• Korean BBQ Sauce Marinade
• Tuna Poke Marinade
• Chicken Fajita Marinade
• Chef’s Blend Dry Rub

Which recipes have you tried? If there is a recipe you've tried and love, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

• Grilled Shrimp Kabobs - a quick and easy meal and only 15 minutes on the grill!
• BBQ Tri Tip Recipe - super tender and flavorful. Leftovers are perfect for sandwiches on day two!
• Lemon Pepper Chicken - this simple marinade is made with ingredients you have on hand - so GOOD!
• If you'll love this, be sure to try the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe - so tender and flavorful, it will quickly become a family favorite!

The addition of a gas grill has made weekday grilling possible, but we've fired up the charcoal grill too - I tell ya it's the best of both worlds!

Serving suggestions

I do love anything grilled so while you're grilling the chicken, put together some grilled vegetables in foil and bbq them right alongside! Here are more easy recipes to enjoy with this meal!

• The BEST Macaroni Pasta Salad - classic pasta salad.
• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus - everyone's favorite!
• Bow Tie Pasta Salad - no mayo, perfect for cookouts.
• Crockpot Baked Beans - always a favorite!
• BEST Crispy Baked Sweet Potatoes Fries - these are so yummy, be sure to serving with Alabama White BBQ Sauce.
• Paloma Cocktail Recipe with Blood Oranges - so bright and refreshing. Great for a pool party.

Want to try this Chili Lime Chicken Recipe? Then it's time to get your grill on! And when you do, swing back and share your comments below along with a five-star rating, that will make my day!

Be sure to tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover – so I get to see all of your great pictures!!

As I was writing this post, Dan looked over my shoulder at the pictures and said "ooh! I forgot how good that chicken is, can we have that for dinner again?!" I stopped what I was doing, went into the kitchen and pulled some frozen chicken breast out of the freezer. Dinner for tomorrow night? Decision made!

What Dan asks.... Dan gets! Hey... he spoils me, so I can do the same for him! 😀

We've been doing lots of grilling now for the last month or so - grilled lamb, ribs, burgers - you name it! Ooh and if you're looking for a great sauce, be sure to make this recipe for Alabama White Sauce - so yummy with grilled chicken!