Description
This vibrant Mexican Chicken Marinade is a zesty blend of olive oil, lime juice, and a flavorful mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and honey, enhanced with fresh cilantro. Perfect for marinating chicken breasts, it infuses the meat with authentic southwestern flavors ideal for grilling, baking, or pan-frying, resulting in juicy, aromatic chicken every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Main Ingredient
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
Instructions
- Combine Liquids: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the olive oil and lime juice to create the base of your marinade.
- Add Spices: Add chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the bowl, layering on the bold Mexican flavors.
- Whisk Spices: Whisk the mixture thoroughly until all spices are fully incorporated into the liquids, ensuring even flavor distribution.
- Add Honey: Stir in the honey and continue whisking until it completely dissolves, balancing the tangy and spicy notes.
- Chop Cilantro: Finely chop the fresh cilantro to add a fresh herbal aroma to your marinade.
- Mix Cilantro In: Add the chopped cilantro to the marinade and mix well for an even spread of herbaceous flavor.
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish, ready to absorb the marinade.
- Pour Marinade: Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is evenly coated for thorough flavor infusion.
- Seal and Refrigerate: Seal the bag tightly or cover the dish with plastic wrap to lock in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Marinate Longer for Best Flavor: For optimal taste, marinate the chicken for 2 to 4 hours, allowing the spices and herbs to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Remove Chicken from Marinade: When ready to cook, take the chicken out from the marinade and discard any leftover liquid to avoid cross-contamination.
- Cook Chicken: Cook the chicken by your preferred method such as grilling, baking, or pan-frying, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring it is fully cooked and juicy.
Notes
- Marinating for at least 30 minutes imparts good flavor, but 2 to 4 hours yields the best results.
- Discard the leftover marinade to avoid any risk of contamination from raw chicken.
- This marinade works well with other cuts like thighs or drumsticks.
- Adjust chili powder or smoked paprika to control spiciness according to your preference.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify the chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption.
- Leftover cooked chicken pairs excellently in tacos, salads, or burrito bowls.
