This Pioneer Woman Tequila Lime Chicken is made with limes, tequila, olive oil, kosher salt, garlic, jalapeno, fresh cilantro, chicken breasts, and Monterey Jack cheese. This delicious Tequila Lime Chicken recipe creates a tasty and vibrant dinner that takes about 265 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 12 people.
More Pioneer Woman Recipe:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Lasagna
- Pioneer Woman Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Marsala
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Tequila Lime Chicken Recipe:
- Full of Fresh Flavor: The marinade with lime juice, tequila, and cilantro makes the chicken taste bright and delicious.
- Great for Grilling: Perfect for summer barbecues, this chicken grills beautifully with a touch of smoky flavor.
- Works with Lots of Sides: You can serve this chicken in tortillas, on salads, or with any sides you like—it’s super flexible.
- Melty Cheese Topping: The Monterey Jack cheese melts on top, adding a creamy and tasty finish.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and easy steps make this recipe a quick and satisfying meal.
🍗 Pioneer Woman Tequila Lime Chicken Ingredients:
- 4 limes
- 240ml (1 cup) tequila
- 60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, sliced
- 120g (1/2 bunch) fresh cilantro, chopped
- 12 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 240g (2 cups) grated Monterey Jack cheese
Options for Serving:
- Corn tortillas or flour tortillas
- Extra grated Monterey Jack cheese
- Pico de gallo
- Jalapeno slices
- Lime wedges
- Avocado slices
- Sour cream
🥘How To Make Pioneer Woman Tequila Lime Chicken?
- Prepare the Marinade: Slice the limes and squeeze the juice into a food processor or blender. Add the tequila, olive oil, kosher salt, minced garlic, sliced jalapenos, and chopped cilantro. Blend until smooth and well-combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag, pour in the tequila-lime marinade, seal the bag tightly, and shake to coat the chicken. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, let the excess drip off, and grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side, rotating 45 degrees on each side for grill marks, until fully cooked through.
- Add the Cheese: Just before taking the chicken off the grill, sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese on top of each chicken breast, letting it melt slightly.
- Serve: Slice the chicken and serve with warm tortillas, pico de gallo, jalapeno slices, lime wedges, avocado, and sour cream. Enjoy!
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Marinate Overnight for More Flavor: If you can, let the chicken marinate overnight. This gives it more time to soak up the flavors, making it taste even better.
- Grill on Medium-High Heat: Keep your grill at medium-high heat so the chicken cooks evenly and doesn’t burn. This helps keep the chicken juicy with a nice grilled outside.
- Let Excess Marinade Drip Off: Before grilling, let the extra marinade drip off the chicken. This helps it cook more evenly and avoids flare-ups on the grill.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To make sure your chicken is cooked just right, use a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach 165°F (75°C) inside.
- Melt Cheese at the End: Add the Monterey Jack cheese just before taking the chicken off the grill. This way, the cheese melts perfectly without becoming too runny.
🥗 What To Serve With Tequila Lime Chicken?
This zesty Tequila Lime Chicken pairs well with Mexican rice, grilled vegetables, black beans, or corn on the cob. It can also be served alongside guacamole, pico de gallo, tortilla chips, or a fresh green salad for a delicious dinner.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover Tequila Lime Chicken cool down to room temperature. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: After cooling, wrap the chicken tightly in plastic wrap or put it in a freezer-safe container. You can freeze it for up to 2 months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers?
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and heat for 15-20 minutes until it’s warm all the way through.
- In The Microwave: Put the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel, and heat on medium for 2-3 minutes, checking to make sure it’s fully warmed.
- On The Stove: Warm a skillet over medium heat, add a little oil or butter, and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, turning it occasionally until it’s heated through
FAQ’S
How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
To keep the chicken from drying out, use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked to 165°F (75°C) and remove it from the grill immediately. Marinating the chicken overnight also helps retain moisture.
How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?
The chicken is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). You can also check by cutting into the thickest part; the juices should run clear, and the meat should be white, not pink.
How can I make the marinade more flavorful?
Boost the marinade’s flavor by adding lime zest, extra garlic, and more cilantro. A small amount of honey or agave can add sweetness and balance the tangy ingredients.
Can I use the leftover marinade as a sauce?
Yes, but you must boil the leftover marinade for at least 5 minutes to kill any bacteria from the raw chicken, making it safe and flavorful as a sauce.
More Pioneer Woman Recipe:
- Pioneer Woman Smoked Gouda Pasta Salad
- Pioneer Woman Pork Ribs And Sauerkraut
- Pioneer Woman Lamb Chops
Pioneer Woman Tequila Lime Chicken Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (1 of 12 servings)
- Calories: 326
- Total Fat: 14.4g
- Saturated Fat: 5.6g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sodium: 196mg
- Potassium: 278mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1.6g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.2g
- Sugars: 0.1g
- Protein: 35.7g
Pioneer Woman Tequila Lime Chicken
Description
This Pioneer Woman Tequila Lime Chicken is made with limes, tequila, olive oil, kosher salt, garlic, jalapeno, fresh cilantro, chicken breasts, and Monterey Jack cheese. This delicious Tequila Lime Chicken recipe creates a tasty and vibrant dinner that takes about 265 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 12 people.
Ingredients
Options for Serving:
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Slice the limes and squeeze the juice into a food processor or blender. Add the tequila, olive oil, kosher salt, minced garlic, sliced jalapenos, and chopped cilantro. Blend until smooth and well-combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag, pour in the tequila-lime marinade, seal the bag tightly, and shake to coat the chicken. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, let the excess drip off, and grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side, rotating 45 degrees on each side for grill marks, until fully cooked through.
- Add the Cheese: Just before taking the chicken off the grill, sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese on top of each chicken breast, letting it melt slightly.
- Serve: Slice the chicken and serve with warm tortillas, pico de gallo, jalapeno slices, lime wedges, avocado, and sour cream. Enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate Overnight for More Flavor: If you can, let the chicken marinate overnight. This gives it more time to soak up the flavors, making it taste even better.
- Grill on Medium-High Heat: Keep your grill at medium-high heat so the chicken cooks evenly and doesn’t burn. This helps keep the chicken juicy with a nice grilled outside.
- Let Excess Marinade Drip Off: Before grilling, let the extra marinade drip off the chicken. This helps it cook more evenly and avoids flare-ups on the grill.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To make sure your chicken is cooked just right, use a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach 165°F (75°C) inside.
- Melt Cheese at the End: Add the Monterey Jack cheese just before taking the chicken off the grill. This way, the cheese melts perfectly without becoming too runny.