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This easy Chicken Taco Marinade is perfect for the grill, crockpot, or the oven. It is perfect for Taco Tuesday or just because. Your family will be asking for grilled Mexican chicken over and over again.
I am always on the lookout for chicken marinades. When the marinade ingredients are super simple that makes them even better and this Chicken taco marinade recipe is the best!
It won’t seem like it since the ingredients are so easy but this taco chicken marinade will surprise you. Use this marinade to make these easy Mexican Chicken Recipes – The Best Baked Mexican Chicken or Mexican Shredded Chicken.
What's in this post: Chicken Taco Marinade
Why We Love This Recipe
Using a marinade on chicken turns bland chicken into a full of flavor chicken recipe. The ingredients are simple and the Mexican chicken can be used in many different recipes.
I cook a lot of chicken so using a marinade is a must. Because we love the variation of the flavor it gives to the chicken.
Ingredients
- Oil – Try one of these Best Vegetable Oil Substitute if you are out.
- Lemon juice – If you are out of Lemon, check out these Best Substitute for Lemon Juice, lime juice is my favorite substitute.
- Taco Seasoning – Make homemade taco seasoning with simple spices.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
This marinade can be used with chicken breast, boneless skinless chicken thighs or beef. The blend of the spices and fresh citrus flavors makes this seasoning so delicious. For a delicious variation try this Fajita Chicken Marinade.
How to Make Chicken Taco Marinade
- Step 1 – Combine all the ingredients in the bowl. Wisk together until combined.
- Step 2 – Pour marinade over the chicken and marinate at least 30 minutes (or longer if you want) in the fridge. I like to add chicken breasts or chicken thighs to a Ziploc bag and pour the marinade in the bag with the chicken. Seal bag.
- Step 3 – Then this chicken is ready to grill, bake or broil for a delicious dinner idea.
The possibilities are endless and so yummy. Once you try this, you will love cooking with it and it is just so easy!
Recipe Tips
- Marinade – Discard marinade and grill, bake, or broil the chicken until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. This marinade is delicious!
- Shredding Chicken – If you are shredding chicken, you can shred the chicken with two forks or How to Shred Chicken with Mixer. We love to use shredded chicken with a burrito bowl.
Serving Suggestions
Most of the time I serve this Mexican chicken with grilled veggies, Mexican street corn since I already have the grill fired up.
It also makes some of the best grilled chicken tacos topped with fresh pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, sour cream, avocado, Homemade Salsa and shredded cheese. Serve the shredded chicken in corn tortillas or flour tortilla.
Really any taco topping ideas would be a delicious addition. When we use this as a chicken taco marinade recipe we serve it with some Spanish Rice.
You may even like this Easy Crockpot Chicken Tacos Recipe or this Easy Crock Pot Street Taco recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
This marinade will be enough for 3 to 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts. This simple marinade would also taste awesome on pork.
Most of the time we grill our marinated chicken, but your options really are wide open. For grilling, you will need to cook the chicken for roughly 5-7 minutes on each side. You can cook it on either propane or a charcoal grill.
If it is too cold outside, you can also use a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Always make sure that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees so that you know it is cooked through. When cooking the chicken in a crockpot, I toss the marinade and the chicken into the crockpot and cook on low for 5-7 hours. Shred the chicken for tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, or eat it as is!
We recommend marinating chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. The longer the chicken marinate the more flavor it has.
Store the leftover marinade in the refrigerator. We recommend using it within 1 week.
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We love to hear from you. If you make this Chicken Taco Marinade Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Chicken Taco Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup oil (vegetable or olive oil will work)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 packet taco seasoning (or two tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in the bowl. Wisk together until combined.
- Pour over the chicken and marinate atleast 30 minutes (or longer if you want).
- Grill, bake, or broil. This marinade is delicious!
- **This marinade will be enough for 3 to 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts. I am thinking this would also taste awesome on pork!
i have done similar we used chicken tenderloins diced up marinated them in taco season ol’ elpaso.olive oil along with lemon juice. Im eating them tonight should taste great provided they are not over cooked
My whole family loves this chicken, even my picky 9-year-old. 🙂
Can this be done in the crockpot?
Yes, definitely. I would cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hour in the crock pot.
I made this marinade and the homemade taco seasoning today and it was great. really spiced up the chicken.
Awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed both of these recipes.
What is the temperature I need for the oven ? Would 350 work
Yes, I would bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Thank you.
Sounds awesome. Flavourful and tasty!
making this for dinner tonight. I didn’t have lemon juice but had lime juice. will that make a difference?
I think that will work perfectly.