Name: Margarita Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup lime juice; ¼ cup tequila; 2 tablespoons agave syrup; 2 tablespoons oil; ½ teaspoon sea salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; Optional: ½ jalapeño (sliced); 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs (see notes); Sliced limes (to serve)

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This delicious, flavorful grilled margarita chicken is a zesty, refreshing dinner inspired by your favorite fun cocktail. The chicken is marinated in lime juice, agave, and tequila, which tenderizes the meat while infusing it with bright citrus notes and added complexity. Throw it on the grill until a delicious smoky char develops, then dig in!

Margarita Chicken with limes on a serving plate

This margarita chicken is one of those dinner recipes that proves simple ingredients can deliver big flavor. A quick marinade of tequila, lime juice, and agave transforms ordinary chicken into something bright, zesty, and completely irresistible.

The tequila does more than add flavor; it helps tenderize the chicken while bringing a subtle complexity that pairs beautifully with the fresh lime. As the chicken grills, the marinade caramelizes slightly, creating gorgeous char marks and plenty of flavor in every bite. A few slices of lime on the grill add even more citrusy goodness.

I make this recipe often during grilling season because it’s easy enough for a weeknight but feels a little more exciting than the usual chicken dinner. Serve it with rice, grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, or tucked into tacos, and you’ve got a meal that’s guaranteed to disappear quickly.

What tequila to use for margarita chicken?

As you’ll only use a bit of your bottle for this recipe, we’d recommend grabbing something that you’d be happy to make cocktails with, too! Blanco (silver) tequila is often preferred for cooking because it has a clean, crisp flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients.

A close up of Margarita Chicken on a serving plate

Margarita Chicken with rice on a dinner plate

Recipes to make with margarita chicken

This southwestern-style grilled chicken is great for busy weeknights or fun summer nights of entertaining. Serve it beside some grilled peppers and rice, or incorporate it to make other delicious recipes shine! Here are some dinner ideas:

Margarita chicken tacos: Shred the chicken and serve it in tortillas with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sliced avocado, and cilantro.
Tequila chicken salad: Slice the chicken and serve it over a bed of mixed greens with diced bell peppers, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and sliced avocado. Dress with reserved marinade.
Burrito or burrito bowl: Serve over taco rice with corn salsa, guacamole, and shredded cheese.
Margarita Chicken Nachos: Arrange tortilla chips on a baking sheet and top with shredded margarita chicken, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and shredded cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and smoky guacamole!

What to serve with margarita chicken

This margarita chicken is versatile and works with a variety of sides! Sizzle up these grilled mini peppers and serve it beside some basmati rice for a tasty and easy dinner – perhaps with some grilled guacamole or a chili lime corn on the cob, too! If you’re feeling like an extra bout of flavor, make Mexican rice. Don’t forget to put that extra tequila to use and make some fizzy lime margaritas!

Margarita Chicken Recipe

Prep: 40

Cook: 20

Total: 1

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This delicious and flavorful grilled margarita chicken is a zesty, refreshing chicken dinner inspired by your favorite fun cocktail. The chicken is marinated in lime juice, agave, and tequila, which tenderizes the meat while infusing it with bright citrus notes and a complexity in flavor. Throw it on the grill until a delicious smoky char develops, then dig in!

Ingredients

Instructions

Whisk the lime juice, tequila, agave syrup, oil, salt, pepper, and (if using) the jalapeno in a small bowl. Place the chicken in a small baking dish and pour the marinade over top. Let the chicken marinate for at least a half-hour or up to 4 hours.
¼ cup lime juice, ¼ cup tequila, 2 tablespoons agave syrup, 2 tablespoons oil, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, Optional: ½ jalapeño, 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs
Clean and oil your grill and preheat it to medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on your grill skin side up. Let it cook for 10 minutes then flip it over and cook for another 10-15 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If needed, reduce the heat to medium-low.
Serve your margarita chicken with limes on the side.
Sliced limes

Notes

The nutritional information is calculated using 10% of the marinade as the remaining amount is discarded.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving = ⅙ of the recipe, Calories: 269kcal (13%), Carbohydrates: 6g (2%), Protein: 29g (58%), Fat: 11g (17%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 144mg (48%), Sodium: 329mg (14%), Potassium: 384mg (11%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 5g (6%), Vitamin A: 42IU (1%), Vitamin C: 3mg (4%), Calcium: 16mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.