Best Ever Margarita Chicken + Video
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Margarita Chicken has all the fantastic flavor of the popular cocktail cooked right into the chicken, plus a little kick from jalapeno peppers. The gang is all here in this flavor profile! Tequila, lime, and orange all come together to create the best ever margarita grill chicken. This is one recipe you have to try!
Margarita Chicken
I have tried the recipes that called for margarita mix, but I promise that our homemade margarita marinade for chicken is so much better!!
The fantastic flavor of tequila is cooked right into the chicken with subtle hints of sweetness from the agave.
Plus, a little kick from the jalapeno adds the perfect amount of heat to this flavorful dish.
Why not make a theme out of dinner? Pair your meal with a frosty blended cocktail and finish it off with boozy cupcakes!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless breasts are best for this margarita chicken recipe. Trim off any excess fat and slice into cutlets if they’re extra thick.
Boneless thighs will work too — just increase the cooking time by a few minutes on each side. - Tequila – Use what you love or whatever you have on hand. I prefer Jose Cuervo Gold, but silver tequila works too!
- Jalapenos – Wear gloves so you don’t transfer the irritating oils to other surfaces — or your skin!
Also, remove the ribs and seeds unless you like your grilled margarita chicken extra spicy. - Spices – Ground cumin and coriander are found in a lot of Mexican recipes.
I think they add a nice warmth to margarita grill chicken, but feel free to leave them out if you prefer.
Tips for Making Grilled Margarita Chicken
- Don’t marinate too long!
Any longer than 24 hours, and the citrus will start to break down the chicken — in a very unpleasant way.
I find that marinating margarita chicken overnight gives the best results in terms of texture and flavor.
- Add some sweetness.
Honey or agave nectar would be a great addition to the marinade, especially if you find the bite from tequila a bit too strong.
The extra sugar will also create a nice char on the outside of your margarita chicken!
- Let it rest.
Once the grilled margarita chicken reaches an internal temperature of about 162°F, transfer it to a platter and tent with foil.
Let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing, which allows the juices to redistribute and the center to continue cooking to a perfect 165°F.
Margarita Chicken Recipe FAQ
Obviously, tequila and lime are the base ingredients. We also include freshly squeeze orange juice, minced garlic and jalapeno, and olive oil to bring it all together.
There’s also ground cumin and coriander, plus salt and pepper to really make the flavors pop!
You sure can! Preheat your oven to 350°F and pour half of the margarita marinade for chicken into a 9×13 pan.
Place the boneless breasts in the pan, then pour the remaining marinade over the top. Bake for 45-60 minutes, until cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F.
You can also make margarita chicken with a stovetop grill pan, on an indoor grill, or in the air fryer!
Margarita grill chicken is delicious with cilantro lime rice or restaurant-style Mexican rice.
You could also add a side of Street Corn Salad or top with some copycat Chipotle corn salsa!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer leftover margarita chicken to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through, about 15 minutes. Or, microwave if you just can’t wait.
You can also warm grilled margarita chicken on the stovetop — add leftovers to a skillet with a splash of water, then cover with a lid and heat on medium-low.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other Easy Chicken Recipes
Best Ever Margarita Chicken + Video
Ingredients
- 3-5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, washed and trimmed
- zest of 1 lime, about 1 tablespoon
- juice of 3 limes, about ½ cup
- juice of 1 orange, about ¼ cup
- 1 jalapeño pepper, minced (seeded and deveined to reduce heat)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 ounces Cuervo Gold tequila
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Place chicken in a resealable gallon size plastic bag. Set aside.
- Combine all ingredients, except chicken, in a small bowl or measuring cup. Whisk to combine. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal and place in the refrigerator to marinate for 3-24 hours. Turn chicken occasionally.
- Preheat grill to medium-high. Place chicken on the counter to take the chill off, about 30 minutes.
- Grill chicken about 4-5 minutes on each side, turning half way to get great grill marks.
- Serve and enjoy.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published April 2013, updated and republished August 2023
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
Wow. This is killer. It's only 9 am and I want this, bad!
Yum! What a great grilled chicken recipe! Can't wait to fire up the grill for this one! Pinning! Thanks for all the great shares…love you on FB, now following you here and on Pinterest!
HOLY CRAP how big was that jalapeno you used? Those rings are almost as big as the limes! I mean, the recipe sounds great but that chile is HUGE.
Believe that jalapeño slice in the photos is a picturesque garnish, not a listed ingredient. The ingredient is minced or chopped. Eat or set aside the large slice according to you Scoville tolerance. 🙂
No agave listed in the recipe?
The agave is in the tequila. Enjoy!
Mmmmmm I am so going to try the Margarita Chicken. My mouth is salivating already. Your recipes are so fantastic. Thank you!! 🙂
Thank you Terri. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
Have to have to have to try this! Chicken breasts are on sale at Kroger this week, and this will be one of the first recipes that I try with them next weekend. 🙂
This is the best "natural" recipe – no margarita mix – I don't use mix for my margaritas and I certainly won't use it on my chicken. Thanks for sharing! I also used this for wings and they were fabulous too!
Yay! That makes me so happy. We prefer margaritas from scratch too. I am so happy that you loved these and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the wing idea. I am going to give that a try! Thanks for stopping by.
Can't wait to try this recipe! I don't want to purchase Tequila for 2oz. Is there a substitute that would taste close? Thank you so much!
Just buy a tequila nip or two from the liquor store. Only around a dollar each.
I have read from some blogs that chicken marinated in lime juice for more than an hour or 2 can be very chewy and soggy. Have you had any experiene with that? Thank you for your reply.
I have not had that experience. I have marinated in citrus overnight with good results. I have also marinated and gotten that effect you are speaking of. This one has a nice balance with the other ingredients in the marinade. If you are concerned marinate for 2 hours and proceed with recipe. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
Waiting for a reply on substitute for tequila.
You can purchase small bottles of tequila and other liquors at most liquor stores. They are the size you would find on an airplane.
You mention honey in the description; I don't see it mentioned in the list of ingredients
I don't see honey mentioned at all for this recipe. Thy3e agave I am referring to is one of the flavors from the tequila. Hope that helps!
Has anyone used done this in a crockpot? I am going to try it!
Should you cover it if you cook it in the oven?
I would cover and then remove the cover the last 10 minutes. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
Can I try this with chicken thighs? Do I need to adjust any cooking times?
I make this a lot but I use a blender to mix the ingredients and then marinate the chicken, best to marinate for 12+ hours.
I want to try your recipe but I’m concerned how spice it will be with the jalapeños, I’m making your recipe for my grandchildren please help me, I’ll love to try it thanks
I love this recipe, and like to add more jalapenos for added heat. I make this at least once a week because it’s so good.
This recipe is fantastic! Everyone I have made it for loves it, and asks for the recipe. The chicken is great hot or cold. I leave the jalapeno seeds in the marinade. It gives it a nice kick.