Southwestern Chicken Marinade
Infuse bold, zesty flavors into your next meal with this Southwestern Chicken Marinade, a tantalizing blend of citrus, spices, and herbs that transforms chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece. Featuring a vibrant medley of lime and orange juice, smoky paprika, earthy cumin, and a hint of sweetness from honey, this 10-minute marinade penetrates deep into chicken breasts or thighs, creating juicy, tender perfection. Fresh cilantro and garlic elevate the flavor profile, making it ideal for grilling, baking, or pan-frying. Perfect for tacos, salads, or standalone entrée dishes, this easy-to-make marinade delivers restaurant-quality results right from your kitchen.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
Directions
Step 1
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, and honey until well combined.
Step 2
Mince the garlic cloves and finely chop the fresh cilantro. Add these to the bowl.
Step 3
Stir in the ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until all the ingredients are incorporated.
Step 4
Place the chicken breasts or thighs into a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
Step 5
Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. If using a plastic bag, remove excess air before sealing.
Step 6
Refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2-4 hours for maximum flavor. Avoid marinating for more than 8 hours to prevent the citrus from breaking down the meat too much.
Step 7
When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade.
Step 8
Cook the marinated chicken on a grill, in a hot skillet, or bake in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (903.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1665.4 |
| Total Fat 68.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 13.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g | |
| Cholesterol 578.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2972.4mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 39.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 4.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 21.6g | |
| Protein 213.7g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 88.5IU | 0% |
| Calcium 178.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 11.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2148.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories