I love how this recipe fuses tangy citrus with smoky spices for a bold, unforgettable flavor treat. The chipotle’s heat balanced with fresh lime and orange juices creates a sexy marinade that penetrates every piece of chicken. I absolutely adore how easy and vibrant this dish makes my dinner feel.

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I recently discovered that making a Mexican Chicken Marinade is one of the best ways to add flavor to your chicken dishes. The marinade is spicy, smoky and tangy which makes it perfect for fajitas or tacos.

I mix 1/4 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice and 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice for a zesty citrus kick. Adding 3 minced garlic cloves and a finely chopped chipotle chile in adobo gives it a kick of heat while 1 teaspoon of adobo sauce deepens the flavor.

I also include 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano along with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to make it balanced and flavorful. This marinade not only makes a quick solution for a meal but also turns any chicken into an authentic Mexican marinated chicken delight.

Its a perfect recipe if you are looking for a nutritious yet bold marinade that elevates every bite.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it gives a perfect mix of tangy citrus and smoky flavors that just makes my mouth water every time. I love how the fresh lime and orange juice brighten up the marinade, making it really refreshing. The chipotle and spices add a kick that keeps things exciting, and I appreciate how simple it is to put together even when I’m in a rush. Plus, it turns any chicken dish into a true crowd pleaser that I always look forward to making.

Ingredients

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Olive oil: Rich healthy fat that adds smooth texture and depth to flavor.
Lime juice: Provides tangy zest, high in vitamin C, brightening the overall taste.
Orange juice: Adds natural sweetness and citrus acidity making the marinade balanced.
Chipotle chile: Delivers smoky heat that really spices up the dish impressively.
Garlic: Boosts flavor, gives subtle health benefits and a classic, punchy aroma.
Citrus combination: Lime and orange juices blend sweet and sour perfectly for tenderizing.
Salt and Pepper: Enhance every ingredient natural taste and aroma without overpowering.
Other spices: Cumin, smoked paprika and oregano add warmth and earthiness rounding out the flavors.
Overall effect: Ingredients team up beautifully creating a marinade thats balanced, flavorful and wholesome.

Ingredient Quantities

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed

1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 chipotle chile in adobo, finely chopped

1 teaspoon adobo sauce from the chipotle can

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

How to Make this

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1. In a large bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice.

2. Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the bowl and stir in 1 chipotle chile in adobo that you finely chopped.

3. Pour in 1 teaspoon of the adobo sauce from the chipotle can and give it a good mix.

4. Now add 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano.

5. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

6. Stir everything together until well blended, letting the flavors mix up nicely.

7. Place your chicken pieces in a shallow dish or a resealable bag and pour the marinade over them, making sure all pieces get coated evenly.

8. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors really soak in.

9. When you are ready to cook, preheat your grill or oven and make sure it’s nice and hot.

10. Grill or bake the chicken until it’s fully cooked and the inside reaches 165°F, then let it rest a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your bold, spicy, and smoky Mexican chicken!

Equipment Needed

1. A large bowl for mixing all the marinade ingredients
2. Measuring cups and spoons so you can get the right amounts
3. A cutting board and a sharp knife for mincing garlic and finely chopping the chipotle chile
4. A whisk or fork to stir the marinade well
5. A shallow dish or resealable bag to marinate the chicken
6. A grill or an oven for cooking the chicken
7. A meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165°F
8. Tongs to turn and remove the chicken from the heat

FAQ

Q: How long should I marinate the chicken?
A: You really want to give it at least 30 minutes, but 2 to 4 hours is best. If you leave it overnight, it might be too tangy.

Q: Can I use this marinade on other meats?
A: Yep, it's awesome for beef or pork too. Just adjust your cooking times as needed.

Q: Is it safe to reuse the marinade?
A: No, its meant to be thrown away after marinating the chicken. If you wanna use it as a sauce, boil it first to kill bacteria.

Q: Can I substitute the chipotle chile if I'm not into too much heat?
A: Sure thing, you can use milder peppers or reduce the amount. You can also omit the adobo sauce entirely if wanted.

Q: How long is this marinade good for in the fridge?
A: It should be fine for about 2 to 3 days in the fridge. Just store it in an airtight container.

Mexican Chicken Marinade Recipe Substitutions and Variations

For lime juice, you can use lemon juice instead; it gives a similar sour zing.
If you dont have chipotle chile in adobo, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper mixed with extra smoked paprika to get that smoky heat.
Orange juice can be swapped out for pineapple juice for a nice twist in sweetness if fresh orange juice is unavailable.
Not finding adobo sauce? You might add a bit more of the chopped chipotle or even a dash of soy sauce for depth and saltiness.

Pro Tips

1. If you can, marinate the chicken longer than 1 hour – even overnight – that really boosts the flavor and makes it super tender.
2. Make sure to use fresh citrus juices instead of bottled ones because they add that extra bright kick to the mix.
3. When you cook, be sure your grill or oven is really hot at the start so the chicken gets a nice sear and doesn’t dry out.
4. Let your chicken rest a few minutes after cooking so all the juices reabsorb, making every bite juicy and delicious.

Mexican Chicken Marinade Recipe

Recipe by James Level

0.0 from 0 votes

I love how this recipe fuses tangy citrus with smoky spices for a bold, unforgettable flavor treat. The chipotle's heat balanced with fresh lime and orange juices creates a sexy marinade that penetrates every piece of chicken. I absolutely adore how easy and vibrant this dish makes my dinner feel.

Servings

servings

Calories

kcal

Equipment: 1. A large bowl for mixing all the marinade ingredients
2. Measuring cups and spoons so you can get the right amounts
3. A cutting board and a sharp knife for mincing garlic and finely chopping the chipotle chile
4. A whisk or fork to stir the marinade well
5. A shallow dish or resealable bag to marinate the chicken
6. A grill or an oven for cooking the chicken
7. A meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165°F
8. Tongs to turn and remove the chicken from the heat

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 chipotle chile in adobo, finely chopped
1 teaspoon adobo sauce from the chipotle can
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a large bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice.
Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the bowl and stir in 1 chipotle chile in adobo that you finely chopped.
Pour in 1 teaspoon of the adobo sauce from the chipotle can and give it a good mix.
Now add 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano.
Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
Stir everything together until well blended, letting the flavors mix up nicely.
Place your chicken pieces in a shallow dish or a resealable bag and pour the marinade over them, making sure all pieces get coated evenly.
Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors really soak in.
When you are ready to cook, preheat your grill or oven and make sure it's nice and hot.
Grill or bake the chicken until it's fully cooked and the inside reaches 165°F, then let it rest a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your bold, spicy, and smoky Mexican chicken!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 23g
Total number of serves: 8
Calories: 68kcal
Fat: 6.8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Polyunsaturated: 1g
Monounsaturated: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 290mg
Potassium: 200mg
Carbohydrates: 3.5g
Fiber: 0.5g
Sugar: 2g
Protein: 0.5g
Vitamin A: 50IU
Vitamin C: 8mg
Calcium: 10mg
Iron: 0.2mg

Mexican Chicken Marinade Recipe

Why I Like this Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantities

How to Make this

Equipment Needed

FAQ

Mexican Chicken Marinade Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Pro Tips