Tequila lime chicken is a flavorful and festive dish that brings a bold twist to classic grilled chicken. Marinated in a vibrant blend of tequila, fresh lime juice, garlic, and spices, this dish offers the perfect balance of tangy, smoky, and savory flavors. It’s ideal for backyard barbecues, Taco Tuesdays, or whenever you want to shake up your usual dinner routine with something bright and zesty.
The marinade is where the magic happens. A mix of tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and a touch of honey infuses the chicken with flavor and keeps it juicy as it cooks. The alcohol in the tequila tenderizes the meat, while the citrus and spices deliver a punch of taste in every bite. Let the chicken marinate for at least an hour—though overnight is even better if you want maximum flavor.
Once marinated, the chicken can be grilled, baked, or pan-seared. Grilling is especially popular with this recipe, as the open flame adds a charred, smoky edge that complements the citrusy marinade beautifully. The result is tender, juicy chicken with a caramelized exterior and a vibrant, tangy interior.
Tequila lime chicken is incredibly versatile. Serve it sliced over a salad, stuffed in tacos or burritos, or alongside grilled vegetables and rice. Add a dollop of guacamole, a spoonful of pico de gallo, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro to take it to the next level. It’s a dish that can be dressed up for a dinner party or kept casual for a weeknight meal.
Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just spicing up your weekly menu, tequila lime chicken delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. It’s a go-to recipe for anyone who loves the lively flavors of Mexican-inspired cuisine and the ease of a simple, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tequila use good quality for best flavor
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice juice from about 4 limes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon honey for sweetness
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- to taste salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- In a large resealable bag, combine tequila, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, honey, and cumin. Seal the bag and shake to mix.
- Add the chicken breasts to the bag and seal. Turn to coat the chicken in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 12 hours for more intense flavor.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and discard the marinade.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with additional lime wedges if desired.
Nutrition
I don’t have a grill, so I pan-fried it instead. Still came out great! 😋
Wasn’t impressed. The marinade was too strong for my taste.
Too much lime juice, maybe cut it down? My whole family couldn’t eat it.
I totally agree! Too much lime can really overpower the dish. I would try half the amount next time.
Nah, I think the lime gives it a nice zesty kick! Maybe your family just isn’t used to it?
Gonna try this with some beer instead of tequila, wish me luck lol!
Good luck! That sounds interesting, hope it turns out tasty! 🍻
Easy and quick! Even my kids liked it! Thanks for this! 😊
This is the best chicken recipe ever!!! Tequila makes it so tasty!!
Really? I made this and it was kinda blah for me. Tequila didn’t even seem to add much flavor.
I totally agree! This recipe is amazing! It’s now my go-to for family dinners.
I did this for a party and everyone loved it. The honey adds a nice touch! 👌
What’s cumin? Do I really need it? I just wanna cook chicken. 😕
Chicken good. Me no like directions. Why refrigerate so long? 🤷♂️
How dare you put tequila in chicken? It should be in cocktails only!!
It’s a unique twist! Tequila adds flavor, why not try it? 🤷♀️
My chicken was dry and didn’t taste like much. Maybe I did it wrong?
Very good, but too much lime, I think. My mouth felt all sour afterward, haha.
The recipe says marinate but mine leak everywhere. My husband was not happy about the mess!
Wow, great recipe! Made with some Mexican friends and they said it’s legit. 🍗
I’m not a fan of lime. Is there a substitute for it? Asking for a friend, lol.
You could try using lemon juice instead of lime. It has a similar acidity, but I think it will still taste great! 🍋
I don’t know. I guess you can skip it? But it might not be the same… Just asking for a friend too, haha!
Good recipe but I couldn’t find lime so I used lemon instead. It tasted different but it was still alright.
Lemon works too! Glad you made it work, that’s creativity in the kitchen!
Mmm.. good. But my chicken got burnt on the grill. Make sure to watch it!
Burnt chicken? That’s a bummer! But I love the marinade idea. I’ll try not to screw it up!
Thanks for the tip! I always seem to forget about my chicken on the grill.
I divided the marinade into two bags and it worked, but also now I got extra dirty dishes. Worth it tho!
I messed up the cooking time and it turned out dry… Really need to pay attention to the grill!
Honestly, I was skeptical at first because I don’t usually mix alcohol with meat. But wow, the lime and tequila combo is a game changer!
This recipe is so easy! I made it for my friends, and they all wanted the recipe!
Sounds delicious! I’m definitely trying this for my next BBQ!
Very easy recipe, didn’t even need to go to culinary school to make this! 😄
Not bad, but I might just stick with BBQ sauce next time.
Very tasty! But I think I might add more garlic next time. I like it strong.
Tequila in chicken? 🤔 Sounds weird. I’d rather just have a drink.
I swapped honey for brown sugar and it turned out fine. Also, I used thighs instead of breasts.
I didn’t have tequila, so I used vodka. It still turned out pretty good, but I think tequila would be better.
I’ve never tried it with vodka! That’s a creative twist! I might do that too, but I do love tequila. Glad it turned out good for you!
Too much lime for my taste, made it a bit sour. Not a fan.
I get it, lime can be really overpowering! Maybe try reducing it next time. I’m gonna give it a go anyway!
Yum! Only thing is I forgot to let it marinate for long enough, still it was tasty. Will try again!
Yummy! But can anyone tell me if I can use vodka instead? LOL!
Not my cup of tea, the lime was too overpowering. Sorry, but I won’t make it again.
This chicken was amazing! The flavor was just perfect. My family gobbled it up. Will definitely make it again!
Uhm, honey with chicken? Sounds weird. But hey, it really worked out 🙂 5 star!
This is the best chicken I’ve ever made! The tequila adds such a nice kick. Definitely a 5!
Absolutely delicious! The flavors are amazing, and the tequila really makes a difference. My family loved it!
Soo good! We had a taco night with this chicken, it was a hit!
Grilled chicken comes from farms and it’s good for health. But I think honey is too sweet for this.
Wait, so grilled chicken is only good because of farms? What about the flavors in the marinade?
I agree! Honey can be too much sometimes. Maybe using less honey would help?
I don’t think tequila belongs on chicken. Just feels wrong. Maybe I’ll stick to my regular recipes.
I get what you’re saying, but tequila can really enhance the flavor! Give it a shot! You might be surprised! 🍗🍹
I added some chili powder to the marinade and it was spicy! Yum! 🔥
That sounds delicious! I love spicy food, gotta try it with chili powder next time! 🌶️
Wow, this is so good! The tequila really adds a fun twist! 🌮
I’m not sure about using tequila in chicken. Sounds a bit weird to me…
Totally agree! The tequila adds an awesome zing to the chicken. 🍹
… okay? tasted fine. could be better. idk.
I get what you mean! It didn’t blow my mind either, but I thought it was a decent recipe. Maybe try adding some spices next time?
Grilled chicken is the best! I usually do it with BBQ sauce tho.
I wasn’t sure about using tequila, but it actually turned out great! A bit too tangy for my taste, though.
I tried this and it was way too sour! Maybe I used too much lime? Not for me.
Grilled this for a BBQ, everyone loved it! Even my picky husband! 🌟
So easy to make! I marinated it overnight and grilled it the next day. Juicy and full of flavor!
I don’t know about using tequila, seems weird. Wouldn’t it just taste like alcohol? I’m skeptical.
I was skeptical too, but the tequila adds a nice kick! Trust me, it’s delish!
Why do you need tequila in chicken?? This is just ridiculous. Can’t be healthy.
What if I don’t have tequila? Can I replace it with vodka or something? 🤔
Easy to make! I forgot to marinate it for the full time, but it still tasted good. Should try it next time with more lime.
Lime sounds great! I’ll definitely marinate longer next time too.
So easy and delicious! I made it for my family, and they LOVED it. I will be making this again!
Tequila? Isn’t that just for shots? How’s it gonna taste good in chicken?
Yummy! 😍
Yum! Grillin’ chicken is like my favorite summer thing. Will make again for sure!
This chicken is absolutely amazing! The tequila really adds a unique flavor. 5 stars all the way!
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The tequila gives it such a unique flavor. My family loved it!
I didn’t like the honey addition, made it too sweet for my taste.
I actually loved the honey! It balanced the tanginess of the lime. Maybe try using less next time?
Too sweet? I mean, it’s just honey! You can always skip it, right? Just saying…
I think this recipe might be overhyped. The flavors were kinda just okay. I prefer plain grilled chicken.
Delicious recipe! Will definitely make it again. My fam loved it! 😍
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s a hit at my family gatherings too! 🌟
Really? Isn’t cooking with tequila kinda weird? 🤔
Delicious! But really, who’s got that much time to marinate? I just grilled chicken!
I hear you! Sometimes you just need a quick meal. Grilling chicken is still tasty! But I must admit, the marinade does add a unique kick. 🍗
Grilled it last night and my kids loved it! Super easy to make. Maybe I’ll try with rum next time?
This was amazing! The chicken was so flavorful and juicy. Definitely a keeper!
My family loved it! Can’t wait to make it again for the summer BBQ.
I mixed up the olive oil for soy sauce and it turned out terrible. Oops!
Oh no! That sounds like a huge mix-up. I always double-check my ingredients!
Soy sauce? That’s just wrong! Stick to the recipe next time!
I thought it was too tangy. Maybe less lime juice next time? It was just alright.