Mexican Chicken Marinade

Baked chicken breast on brown plate with a side of Mexican rice.

Chicken breasts are marinated in a tangy, smokey citrus marinade that are super flavorful and juicy, then oven baked for a fuss free meal.

Course Entree

Cuisine American, Mexican

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Marinade Time 5

Total Time 6 20

Servings

Calories 386kcal

Author Anne Clark

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1-inch thick) approximately 8 ounces each
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Instructions

Place chicken in a large ziptop bag (or small dish in a single layer).
Place remaining ingredients in small bowl, cup, or mason jar and mix well.
Pour marinade over the chicken making sure all the chicken is coated with the marinade. Close the bag (or cover the dish).
Place the chicken in the refrigerator and marinade 5-6 hours (but no more than 12 hours). Make sure the chicken is in a single layer and not overlapping each other.
When ready to eat, preheat the oven to 450F. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer on a pan lined with foil (for easy cleanup).
Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven, loosely cover with foil, and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes. If your chicken breasts are thinner or thicker, you will need to adjust the baking time. See notes below.
Serve chicken with your favorite side or slice into strips and serve as fajita or taco meat.

Notes

The USDA recommends cooking chicken breasts to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Use a digital meat thermometer, and pay close attention to the temperature. Immediately remove the chicken once it reaches 165F. Overcooking the chicken surely guarantees you'll end up with dry chicken!

Instead of baking the chicken, you can pan fry or grill for 6-8 minutes per side over medium heat. Just be sure to remove it from the heat as soon as it hits 165F!

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (keep them in an airtight container).

Nutrition