Summer has come and gone but I still like a good grilled chicken recipe, and Ina's recipe for tequila lime grilled chicken does not disappoint.
This Summer there was a really bad storm where the wind knocked over my gas grill on my deck. When the grill fell the gas turned on by itself and if I had probably didn't notice it my deck would have gone on up in flames. Scary thought but I learned my lesson. I made sure to tie my grill down pretty good after that so that wouldn't happen again.
Since my grill is out on my deck I can just walk out there any time of the year and grill up a steak or a chicken breast and I don't really care what the temperature is outside either. Some people just stop grilling completely when the weather isn't nice anymore.
If you love grilled recipes try Grilled Corn on the Cob with Husks, How to Grill Top Sirloin Steak, Grilled Lemon Chicken Breasts, or Grilled Chicken Burgers.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
This tequila lime chicken recipe uses a simple marinade of tequila, citrus fruits, and a couple of spices that makes a flavorful grilled chicken that can be used for tacos or whatever you like.
This chicken marinade is almost exactly the same ingredients needed to make margarita but it gets a little heat from the jalapeno.
Ingredients Needed
- Gold tequila - Use a good bottle of tequila for this marinade! It doesn't need to be gold it can be clear.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice - This adds a nice burst of citrus flavor to the marinade to help enhance the choice of protein. Use freshly squeezed over bottled juice.
- Squeezed orange juice (4 oranges) - Adds more even more citrus flavor
- Minced fresh jalapeno pepper - can use a bell pepper if you don't like it really spicy
- Minced fresh garlic - Chopped fresh garlic can take some time to chop so I often always use the freshly minced garlic that comes already made in a jar.
- Kosher salt and Freshly ground black pepper
- Boneless chicken breasts - skin-on or chicken thighs work well too.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Tequila Lime Chicken
Step 1: Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts. Refrigerate overnight.
Step 2: Heat a grill with coals and brush the rack with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, sprinkle well with salt and pepper, and grill them skin-side down for about 5 minutes until nicely browned.
Step 3: Turn the chicken and cook for another 10 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove from the grill to a plate. Cover tightly and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Best Grilling Tips
- Always start with a clean grill. Make sure last nights dinner isn’t stuck on it. 😉
- Grills are great for prepping any kind of protein for the week to use throughout the week.
- Get any type of meat thermometer. This will help to check for proper doneness and to make sure the meat is at the proper temperature.
- Grilling is done at very high heats to cook food faster. Smokers are used for low and slow cooking.
- Do not move the type of protein you are cooking until it’s ready to flip.
- The best outdoor type grills are Ninja Woodfire, Webber or Blackstone. Blackstone are a flat top cooking device that don’t have any grates in them. Any flat top will work.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, Ina is still on Food Network and she is still writing cook books. She shares her recipes and tips on her show Barefoot Contessa.
You can try substituting Vodka or Triple Sec instead of using tequila.
More Great Summer Recipes to Try
- Ina Garten's Rum Raisin Truffles
- Ina Garten's Garlic Roasted Potatoes
- Anna's Orange Marmalade | Ina Garten
- Ina Garten | Fresh Blueberry Pie
If you tried this Tequila Lime Chicken or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
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Ina Garten's Tequila Lime Chicken
- Prep Time: 10min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 8 hrs 35 min
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Description
Summer has come and gone but I still like a good grilled chicken recipe, and Ina's recipe for tequila lime grilled chicken does not disappoint.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gold tequila
- 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed lime juice (8 limes)
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (4 oranges)
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeno pepper (1 pepper seeded)
- 2 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (3 cloves)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 whole (12 split) boneless chicken breasts, skin-on
Instructions
- Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts. Refrigerate overnight.
- Heat a grill with coals and brush the rack with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, sprinkle well with salt and pepper, and grill them skin-side down for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Turn the chicken and cook for another 10 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove from the grill to a plate. Cover tightly and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
myWW: blue: 2; green: 3; purple: 2
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Jenna says
Yes!
Deb says
My company didn’t come. Can I keep the chicken in marinade a second night.
tara says
Can I make these in the oven or on the stovetop... I would love to make them on a bead of cilantro lime rice but my tiny apartment doesn't allow me to have a grill...