Description
Zesty Mexican chicken marinade elevates grilled poultry with bold, tangy flavors from lime, cilantro, and spices. Marinating infuses chicken with authentic Mexican taste, promising a delicious meal that will transport palates south of the border.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1–2 pounds chicken (breasts, cutlets, thighs, or drumsticks)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Combine all liquid seasonings and dry spices in a large resealable plastic bag, creating a vibrant marinade with robust Mexican-inspired flavors.
- Carefully add raw chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring each piece gets thoroughly immersed in the seasoning mixture.
- Firmly seal the bag, then gently massage and rotate the bag to guarantee complete and even coating of the chicken with marinade.
- Refrigerate the marinated chicken for a minimum of 2 hours and up to 24 hours, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- When ready to cook, remove chicken from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat or oven to 375°F, preparing for cooking.
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, and discard remaining marinade.
- Grill or bake chicken until internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C, using an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
- Let cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices and ensure maximum tenderness.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by puncturing chicken with a fork before marinating to help ingredients penetrate deeper into the meat.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing chili powder and cayenne pepper according to personal heat tolerance.
- Ensure food safety by never reusing marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken; always discard and prepare fresh if needed.
- Transform this marinade into a versatile sauce by simmering it separately after removing the chicken, which creates a delicious drizzling liquid for serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 70mg