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.
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Recipe Information
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
Instructions
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, and honey until well combined.
Mince the garlic cloves and finely chop the fresh cilantro. Add these to the bowl.
Stir in the ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until all the ingredients are incorporated.
Place the chicken breasts or thighs into a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. If using a plastic bag, remove excess air before sealing.
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.
When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade.
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
Calories |
410 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 16.6 g | 21% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.1 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 145 mg | 48% | |
| Sodium | 637 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 9.7 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.1 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.4 g | ||
| Protein | 53.4 g | 107% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 44 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 529 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
