• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Craving California

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Dinner
    • 30 Minutes or Less
    • Chicken and Turkey
    • Fish and Seafood
    • Beef
    • Pasta
    • Pork
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Dessert
  • About
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Category Home » Chicken and Turkey » Mexican Grilled Chicken Marinade–Perfect for Tacos, Fajitas, Burritos and More!

    Mexican Grilled Chicken Marinade–Perfect for Tacos, Fajitas, Burritos and More!

    Published: Aug 21, 2022 · Modified: Aug 21, 2022 by Leigh Anderson · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Mexican chicken marinade makes a flavorful juicy chicken for tacos, fajitas, burritos and any other dish you need to add a zesty, spicy spin to. 

    A white and blue enamel bowl filled with sliced, grilled chicken topped with minced cilantro.

    This marinade is seriously fresh, slightly smoky, and mildly spicy– the perfect flavor to make any Mexican-style dish POP! It’s easily customizable if you’re not into spice (or you’re way into spice) by adjusting the amount of chipotle in adobo.

    Marinated grilled chicken can be used so many different ways. This chicken is my go-to for topping fresh salads like; Green Goddess Salad, and The Perfect Kale Caesar. It’s also great for tacos or burritos with warm tortillas and a batch of Heirloom Tomato Pico De Gallo and Creamy Avocado Salsa to serve on top! 

    And, while I love to grill chicken, you don’t have to be a grill master (or even own a grill) to enjoy this chicken. The chicken can be grilled over gas or charcoal, cooked on the stove in a cast iron skillet, or stove top grill pan, for an easy dinner or meal prep dish, no matter what your kitchen set-up is. 

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Here’s everything you’ll need to make this recipe: boneless, skinless chicken thighs, lime, oil, garlic, cilantro, chipotle in adobo, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and salt.

    Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are perfect for tender juicy chicken slathered in this marinade. But, you can use this marinade on chicken breasts or any cut of bone-in chicken if that’s what you have or prefer. 

    Chipotle in adobo: These canned peppers add a lot of spice and smoky flavor to this marinade. If you want to make it milder, use less, but if you love some spicy action- feel free to add a small amount more! 

    *See recipe card for additional notes and ingredient substitutions.*

    Six individual mall bowls filled with spices, salt and oil. A lime cut in half, a bundle of cilantro, a bowl of chicken on a blue background.

    Recipe Step by Step:

    Step 1. Marinate the Chicken

    Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a large bowl or pulse them all together in a blender. Next, add in the chicken thighs. Toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1-hr or up to 24-hrs. The longer you can let them marinate the better, but don’t exceed 48 hours.

    Left: a stainless steel bowl filled with raw chicken thighs and spicy marinade. Right: a Zip Lock bag filled with marinated chicken.

    Step 2. Grill the Chicken

    Preheat a gas, charcoal or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat.

    Place the chicken on the grill, and cook for 6-8 minutes or until the underside is caramelized and the chicken releases from the grill. Then, flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach at least 160F.

    Left: a hand squeezing lime juice over a white plate of grilled chicken. Right: a close up image of grilled chicken on plate topped with minced cilantro.

    Step 3. Plate and Serve

    Transfer the chicken to a large plate or platter, and squeeze the juice from ½ a lime overtop. Serve warm.

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    How long should chicken be marinated for?

    To get the most flavor and texture benefit, marinade your chicken for at least 1 hour minutes, but up to 24 hours.

    Can you marinate chicken too long? 

    Yes. Approaching the 48-hour mark, the meat will start to break down, becoming mushy and losing its texture. 

    Storing and Meal Prepping Mexican Marinated Chicken:
    This recipe is great for meal prepping! To store cooked Mexican marinated grilled chicken, place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to five days. To reheat the chicken, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.

    A white plate filled with bright and glossy grilled chicken thighs with black and brown grill marks.

    Love this recipe? Here’s what to try next:

    • Yogurt Marinated Chicken with Harissa and Garlic
    • Crispy Chicken Thighs with Buttermilk Caesar Slaw (Chicken Under a Brick)
    • Beer-Braised Chipotle Chicken Tacos
    • Baja-Style Beer Battered Fish Tacos
    • Carne Asada Tacos
    • Sweet and Sticky Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs

    I love to hear from readers and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest updates!

    A white and blue enamel bowl filled with sliced, grilled chicken topped with minced cilantro.

    Mexican Grilled Chicken Marinade–Perfect for Tacos, Fajitas, Burritos, and More!

    This Mexican chicken marinade makes a flavorful juicy chicken for tacos, fajitas, burritos, and any other dish you need to add a zesty, spicy spin to. 
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Marinating Time: 3 hours
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 410kcal
    Author: Leigh Anderson

    Ingredients

    Chicken:

    • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast
    • 1 juicy lime

    Marinade:

    • ¼ c neutral oil
    • 4 large cloves garlic
    • 2 tablespoons chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
    • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
    • 1 tablespoon cumin
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

    Instructions

    • Place all of the marinade ingredients into a blender and pulse until evenly combined. (Alternatively, you can finely chop the ingredients by hand and whisk the marinade together in a bowl.) Pour the marinade into a Zip Lock bag or large bowl and then add in the chicken–toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1-hr or up to 24-hrs.
    • Take the chicken out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat.
    • Place the chicken on the grill, and cook for 6-8 minutes or until the underside is caramelized and the chicken releases from the grill, then flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach at least 160F.
    • Transfer the chicken to a large plate or platter, squeeze the juice from ½ a lime overtop. Serve warm!

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
    • Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are perfect for tender juicy chicken slathered in this marinade. But, you can use this marinade on chicken breasts or any cut of bone-in chicken if that’s what you have or prefer. 
      Chipotle in adobo: These canned peppers add a lot of spice and smoky flavor to this marinade. If you want to make it milder, use less, but if you love some spicy action- feel free to add a small amount more! 

    Storing and Re-heating Leftovers:
    • To store cooked Mexican marinated grilled chicken, place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
    • To reheat the chicken, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.

    Special Equipment:
    My favorite Lodge Grill Pan |  Shop all Kitchen Essentials 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 1959mg | Potassium: 650mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1151IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag me: @Craving_California and use the hashtag: #CravingCalifornia!

    « Quick Pickled Shallots
    Sweet & Spicy Hot Honey »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jere Cassidy

      September 12, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      5 stars
      I love to find a good marinade and we like to cook a lot of Mexican food. Luckily, I have all the ingredients and this was easy to whip up.

      Reply
    2. elena lewis

      August 25, 2022 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      Thank you dear for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Shilpa

      August 23, 2022 at 12:02 am

      5 stars
      This chicken was so delicious and flavorful. Thank you for this lovely recipe.

      Reply
    4. MacKenzie

      August 22, 2022 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      This marinade was perfect. I made this on Sunday and used my air fryer to grill the chicken. It’s perfect for meal prep.

      Reply
    5. Heidi

      August 22, 2022 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      This chicken was perfect for our tacos! We are always looking for new ways to flavor our chicken and this was so yummy! I really liked the tip about not marinating too long. That’s helpful for any marinade. Thank you so much!

      Reply
    6. Sachi

      August 22, 2022 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for this awesome chicken marinade recipe! We’ll definitely be making this again and it fits perfectly into my low carb diet!

      Reply
    7. Sherry

      August 22, 2022 at 11:01 am

      5 stars
      I made your marinated chicken pieces on my Blackstone Griddle and they turned out amazing!! Your marinade recipe gave this chicken the best flavor. My family requested that I make this chicken recipe again.

      Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    photo of Leigh Anderson on a green and white background.

    Welcome to Craving California!

    I'm so glad you're here. My name is Leigh and this is my food blog where I share California inspired recipes and tons of tips and tricks for better home cooking!

    Learn more about me →

    Close of image of rigatoni pasta coated in a creamy red pasta sauce. Text reads: "What's for Dinner?" "Creamy Chorizo Pasta"

    In Season Now:

    • The Perfect Fall Pasta with Delicata Squash, Pancetta, and Goat Cheese
    • Short Rib Ragù with Pappardelle
    • The Best Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread
    • Savory Bread Pudding with Sausage + Sage
    A a blue and white platter of sautéed cabbage. Text reads: "Merry and Bright, 20+ Wholesome Recipes to Kick off the New Year"

    Winner Winner Chicken (and Turkey) Dinner:

    • Jalapeño-Cheddar Chicken Smash Burgers
    • Yogurt Marinated Chicken with Harissa and Garlic
    • Spring Chicken and Dumplings
    • Crispy Cast Iron Chicken Thighs with Toasted Coriander Vinaigrette

    Featured In:

    Shop:

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Follow

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook

    About

    • Learn more about Craving California
    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • E-mail

    Copyright © 2020 Craving California

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy

    Privacy Policy