Name: Cilantro-Lime Chicken Marinade with Jalapeno
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 2 Limes, Zested and Juiced; 2 Garlic Cloves, minced; 1/4 cup Red Onion, minced; 1 Jalapeno, minced; 1/8 -1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 teaspoon Pepper

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Quick and easy, Cilantro-Lime Chicken Marinade with Jalapeno is the perfect way to add a touch of spice and deliciousness to your mealtime.

Bowl containing chicken breasts with cilantro-lime chicken marinade poured over.

Looking for a quick and easy chicken marinade with a kick? This cilantro-lime chicken marinade with jalapeno is the perfect way to add lots of flavor to a delicious chicken dinner!

The perfect balance of cilantro, lime and jalapeno make this a great option for taco night, fajitas or as a protein option for salads. This versatile chicken can be grilled, baked, cooked on the stove top, instant pot or slow cooker.

If you love jalapeno, you should check out this Chipotle Lime Coleslaw or these Quick Cheddar Jalapeno Bagels.

Ingredients to make Cilantro-Lime Chicken Marinade laid out. A bowl of olive oil, a red onion, bunch of cilantro, fresh garlic, two limes, two jalapenos, salt and pepper in a bow.

Ingredients for Cilantro-Lime Chicken Marinade with Jalapeno

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Fresh Limes
Fresh Garlic Cloves
Red Onion
Fresh Jalapeno
Cilantro
Salt
Pepper

How to Make Cilantro-Lime Chicken Marinade

Finely mince the garlic, onion, jalapeno and cilantro.
Combine all ingredients in a glass bowl or gallon freezer bag

Bowl with all ingredients to make cilantro-lime chicken marinade with jalapeno. A whisk is off to the side and a bowl of raw chicken breast is above it.

Add 1.5-2 pounds thawed Chicken
Marinate in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 6 hours

Ways to cook Chicken

Grill on medium high heat. Depending on thickness, 5-10 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F
Bake chicken breast in the oven in a baking dish. Discard excess marinade. Time will vary based on type of chicken meat used.
Stove top – heat pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil to the pan and cook chicken approximately 5 minutes per side. Until internal temperature reaches 165°F. If you have thick cuts, you may want to either pound them thinner or butterfly them so that they will cook more evenly.
Slow Cooker – place chicken and marinade in the slow cooker. Cook on Low for 3 hours.
Instant Pot – Place chicken and marinade in Instant Pot with an additional ½ cup of chicken broth or water. Set pressure cooker for 8 – 10 depending on size and thickness. Quick release when done then remove and shred chicken.

Ways to serve Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Jalapeno

Slice thinly on a salad with avocado
Taco night
Chicken baked nachos
Chicken quesadillas
Burrito Bowl – serve on a bed of rice with beans, lettuce, salsa, cheese and all the toppings!

Tip for Success

Fresh limes and fresh jalapeno are best in this recipe. Bottled lime juice is not recommended.
If you are short on marinating time, you can use a fork to poke some holes in the chicken to allow the marinade to get into the meat.

FAQ

How long should you marinate chicken?

You can marinate chicken up to 24 hours. As little as 30 minutes will still give your chicken great flavor! If you’re using bone-in cuts of meat, they may require a longer time to marinate.

How to store leftover chicken?

Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Have any questions? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!