Description
Elevate your meals with this Zesty Mexican Chicken Marinade that combines fresh lime juice, minced garlic, and an array of spices to infuse your chicken with vibrant flavors. Perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a quick weeknight dinner, this marinade ensures your chicken is the star of the show. With its bright and zesty profile, this recipe is not only easy to prepare but also versatile enough for grilling, baking, or stir-frying. Marinate in advance for effortless meal prep and enjoy healthy, flavorful dishes without the guilt.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1–2 pounds chicken (breasts, cutlets, thighs, or drumsticks)
Instructions
- In a Ziploc bag, combine chicken with olive oil and lime juice.
- Add garlic and spices (chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, cinnamon if using, and salt).
- Seal the bag tightly and shake until chicken is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.
- When ready to cook, remove chicken from the bag and grill or bake until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilling/Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces (113g) cooked chicken
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Use fresh ingredients for maximum flavor. Adjust spice levels by modifying chili powder. This marinade is also great for shrimp or pork.