Description
Succulent chicken finds its perfect match in this Mexican chicken marinade, blending zesty lime, robust spices, and rich herbs. Marinating creates tender, flavorful meat that delivers authentic Mexican cuisine right to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1.1 lbs) boneless chicken breast
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps lime juice
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 0.5 tbsps chili powder
- 0.5 tbsps smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 0.5 tsp brown sugar
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, brown sugar, cilantro leaves, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until completely blended.
- Chicken Coating: Submerge chicken breasts or thighs in the marinade, thoroughly massaging the mixture into every crevice of the meat within a shallow container or resealable plastic bag.
- Flavor Infusion: Seal the container and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours, allowing the robust spices to deeply penetrate and tenderize the chicken.
- Cooking Selection: Choose your preferred cooking method – oven baking at 400°F, grilling over medium-high heat, air frying at 375°F, or pan-searing in a preheated skillet with minimal oil.
- Temperature Verification: Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches 165°F, confirming complete cooking through clear juices and using an instant-read meat thermometer for precision.
- Resting Phase: Allow chicken to rest 3-5 minutes post-cooking, enabling juice redistribution for maximum moisture and optimal tenderness before serving.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Absorption: Massage marinade thoroughly into chicken to ensure every crevice gets seasoned, enhancing overall taste profile.
- Marinating Time Matters: Longer marination (up to 24 hours) develops deeper, more complex flavor layers without compromising meat texture.
- Temperature Safety Check: Always use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F, preventing foodborne illness and ensuring perfectly cooked chicken.
- Resting Ritual: Allow chicken to rest after cooking, letting juices redistribute for maximum moisture and tenderness, transforming good chicken into exceptional dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg