Mexican Citrus Marinade for Chicken

Why You'll Love This Recipe

If you're looking for a great Mexican chicken marinade, your search is over with this all-time favorite marinade!

This Mexican chicken marinade makes the most insanely flavorful, juicy chicken, especially on the grill. The slight char from the grill brings out big flavor!

While this recipe is perfect for the summer months, you can definitely use this simple marinade year round as well to make delicious fajitas or tacos all winter long in the oven or on the stovetop.

This is one of those perfect chicken recipes you'll keep coming back to because it is just that good with its savory blend of citrus and Mexican spices. If you love this recipe, also check out Chicken Tinga Tostadas, an easy Instant Pot or slow cooker meal.

Want more marinades to try? This jerk sauce is easy to make and a delicious chicken marinade! My Italian marinade is with fresh herbs is another family favorite!

Ways to Serve Mexican Citrus Chicken

While this Mexican chicken recipe is a delicious main dish all on its own when served with a side or two, here are some alternative ways to serve the chicken.

• Chicken fajitas: Slice bell peppers and sweet or red onions and cook alongside the chicken. Serve with warm tortillas and top fajitas with sour cream, restaurant-style salsa, and/or guacamole.
• If you're gluten-free, serve the chicken in corn tortillas or homemade cassava flour tortillas.
• Serve in gluten-free pitas or these three-ingredient gluten-free flatbreads with this secret sauce and you've got a chicken fajita pita.
• Chicken tacos, burritos, or bowls: Dice the chicken and serve with your favorite toppings such as rice, black beans, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, green onions, salsa, sour cream, and/or guacamole.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Chicken pieces: You can use any cut of chicken you prefer in this recipe, such as chicken thighs, boneless chicken breasts, or tenders. It really does not make a difference, it just depends on your preference and what you plan to do with the chicken.
• Fresh Citrus: Fresh lime juice is preferred for this recipe. It adds such a bright and tangy flavor to the chicken. You can absolutely play around with the citrus flavors by using orange juice or a combination of orange, lime, and lemon juice.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a unique and vibrant flavor to the chicken. If you don't like cilantro, you can leave it out.
• Garlic: You can use as much or as little garlic as you like in the marinade. While fresh garlic is preferred, you can substitute with garlic powder if necessary.
• Mexican Spices: Cumin and oregano are a must in this marinade. You can also add chili powder or Trader Joe's Chile Lime seasoning to kick it up a notch!
• Oil: Some type of oil is needed for any marinade. Use any oil you prefer to cook with, such as olive or vegetable oil. Coconut oil might be delicious as well and impart another layer of flavor.

Making the Marinade

• Mince the garlic and roughly tear up the cilantro.
• Put all of the ingredients together in a bowl, plastic bag, or a large shallow glass dish.
• Place chicken in the bag or bowl, seal bag if needed, and toss it around to coat with the citrus juices and other spices.
• Allow the chicken to marinate for 1 hour or up to four hours.

Cooking Options

• Outdoor Grill: This is my favorite option because the grill adds so much extra flavor! Cook chicken breasts over medium-high heat on a preheated grill. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F. You can cook over direct or indirect heat. Direct heat will end up providing more char while indirect heat produces more of a golden brown result. You can use any gas grill or charcoal grill but I have not tried this recipe in a pellet smoker type of grill.
• In the Oven: Outside of grilling season, you can bake the chicken in the oven.
• Cast Iron Skillet: You can also cook everything in a hot cast-iron skillet until the chicken is cooked through or finish baking in the oven once you've gotten a nice sear on the chicken.