Infuse your grilled chicken with the classic flavors of a fresh lime margarita! Fresh Margarita Chicken is quick, easy, and sizzling.
Despite the fact that winter 2.0 could potentially be making an appearance later this week (I can’t even talk about it) patio season is practically knocking at our door.
Bright umbrellas, deck chairs, and ice-cold drinks are my favorite spring and summertime staples, and Fresh Margarita Chicken is undoubtedly going to become one as well!
Classic margarita ingredients including tequila, agave nectar, and fresh lime and orange juices join forces with garlic, salt, and pepper, to infuse chicken breasts with mouthwatering flavor after marinating for just a couple of hours in the fridge.
Sizzling and char grilled then topped with guacamole — the only thing that could make this meal even better is pairing it with an actual margarita!
Start the Fresh Margarita Chicken by creating the margarita marinade. First zest 1 lime and 1 orange then add the zest to a big bowl or ziplock bag.
Next add the juice of 4 limes and 2 oranges, as well as 3 big crushed garlic cloves and LOTS of salt and pepper. After all, what is a good margarita without its signature, salty bite?!
Add 1/4 cup tequila next (optional – but the alcohol will cook off,) plus 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, and 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey.
Add 4 small chicken breasts and place in the fridge to marinate for 1-4 hours. I can’t tell you how fabulous this marinade smells by the way – just like a fresh margarita!
Let the chicken breasts rest out of the fridge for 10-15 minutes after marinating, then grill them over high heat for 4-5 minutes a side, or until cooked through.
Serve the Fresh Margarita Chicken over a bed of fluffy Cilantro-Lime Rice then dollop with Lazy-Girl’s Guacamole before diving in!
I promise you will fall in love with this chicken after the very first bite. If you don’t have a grill, or if it’s not warm enough to grill where you live, simply saute the marinated chicken in a hot skillet until cooked through.
You’ll still get that fabulous margarita flavor. YUM — and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 4 limes, 1 zested, all 4 juiced
- 2 oranges, 1 zested, both juiced
- 1/4 cup silver tequila, optional
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon agave nectar, or honey
- 3 crushed garlic cloves
- salt and pepper
- 4 chicken breasts, ~2lbs
Directions
- Combine ingredients from lime zest to salt and pepper in a large bowl or ziplock bag then mix well. Add chicken breasts then cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours.
- When ready to grill or cook, let chicken breasts rest out of the fridge for 10-15 minutes then grill or saute over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes a side, or until cooked through.
Notes
- Serve with Cilantro-Lime Rice and Guacamole.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
This recipe was AMAZING!!! Everyone in our family ate it and loved it! Success! Thank you
I am having trouble finding your Cilantro Lime Rice recipe- may you send me the link? Thank you! I love your recipes!!!
Hey! heads up the guacamole link is broken on this page :)
This was great! I boiled the marinade until it reduced to a glaze-like consistency and then added some heavy cream to mellow out the intense citrus flavor – drizzled on the chicken and rice, along with the guacamole, and had some grilled green beans on the side. Such a good meal! Thanks for the recipe.