How to Grill Juicy Tex Mex Chicken Breast
Tex-Mex flavored grilled chicken is easier than you think with my guide on how to grill tex mex chicken breast (woah! That rhymes). This Mexican restaurant tasting Tex Mex dish compares to Tequila Lime Chicken and is marinated with lime juice, garlic, and everyday spices making the end result family friendly and perfect for Taco Tuesday!
How to Grill Juicy Tex Mex Chicken Breast
How this recipe came about
I gain a lot of inspiration from eating out and tequila lime chicken is nothing new to any Americanized Mexican Menu. To most things, I am always trying to add my own touch and with this Tequila Lime Chicken Recipe I basically omitted the tequila (read below to see why). So, this is my version "tequila" lime chicken with margaritas on the side!
The one thing that has always come naturally to me is cooking juicy meats. Well, maybe not naturally. Perhaps through monkey see monkey do. But, this recipe is one that definitely holds hype with Curry Mommy favorite recipes. In fact, I posted this recipe about 3 years ago when I first started blogging in an intent to share it sooner than later. Some things are just worth waiting for, right?
Whether you make healthy chipotle bowls or Tex Mex dishes that include burritos, be sure to add this to your weeknight menu.
Is Tex Mex healthy?
Of course! Fresh ingredients, minimal fats, and lots of tequila! What's not to love, right? Hands down, it always feels fresh and crisp to eat Tex Mex cuisine. The fresh tomatoes, crunchy onions, and super fresh guacamole can't beat any other condiment in my book. Give this healthy version of grilled chicken breast a try with my tips to add to that list of delicious Tex Mex menu.
What kind of chicken to use for Tex Mex Cuisine
Boneless skinless chicken breast is the best in my opinion for tex mex cuisine. In my guide on how to grill chicken breast, I talk about how to prep and cook the chicken so it remains juicy and pairs perfectly with a flour tortilla. I mean would you have it any other way when it comes to Tex Mex cuisine?
What to eat with Tex Mex Chicken
I have been making this dish for years. In fact, I sent a few of my followers screenshots of this dish from before my blogging days. It was paired with healthy sides making it a great keto friendly meal. If you are interested in more keto meals then be sure to check them out here. As far as pairing sides with this Tex Mex Chicken, I recommend any of the following...
- Flour Tortillas
- Corn Tortillas
- Mexican Rice
- Guacamole
- Vegetarian Chili (a bit over the top)
- Greens (romaine, spinach, etc)
- Black Beans
- Corn Salsa
- Salsa
- Pico De Gallo
- Fresh Jalapenos (especially since I do not add spice to the dish)
Is Tex Mex chicken kid friendly?
My kids love this chicken! In fact, one of my daughters ate almost an entire chicken breast when I made this last. Cutting the chicken in strips where the child can hold and eat is definitely a plus. Let them explore and be! Hence, a great meal for baby led weaning (skip the salt and sugar).
Ingredients for Tex Mex chicken breast
- thin chicken breasts
- lime juice
- cilantro
- oregano
- cumin powder
- taco seasoning (a pinch)
- fresh garlic
- chicken broth (and/or tequila)
- sugar
- oil
- salt
- peppers (if you dare)
Marinating the chicken
Marinating is needed for this recipe. In fact, it is a must and I personally do not recommend doing otherwise. The lime juice and flavors of garlic will need to sit with the meat and basically "get to know each other". No-really! There are no if, ands, or buts here. Sorry folks. Mix the ingredients together and place it back in the fridge. It's really not that hard to make, but involves patience lol.
Tips on how to grill Tex Mex chicken breast
Here's a tip when it comes to grilling tequila lime chicken breast, flip less! Letting the chicken cook until it is more than half way done before cooking the second side is one of the biggest tips I can give anyone. Whether you cook chicken breast on a grill or a pan, flipping less and cooking on high heat will help crust and keep the juices inside.
What type of pan is needed for juicy chicken breast?
I prefer to use hexclad or a cast iron grill pan for this recipe. My cast iron pan is years old and by Emeril Lagasse. It has held up well, but very rare to find these days. There are plenty of cast iron options available on Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Sur la Table. While I am on this subject, I find it important to mention that you research and watch documentaries on cast iron pans. The way they are made with fine mixed particles is very concerning to me and I just want you to be aware of it as well. Youtube has a great selection of documentaries on cast iron. Also, it's an investment piece you will use for a lifetime so choose one wisely for your healths sake. In my how to grill chicken breast guide I can say that the char from the cast iron is unbeatable and needed for flavoring and visual drooling. I mean, if you aren't drooling with your eyes at the site of delicious food, then are you even human? Which gets to my tequila issue...
Where is the tequila? iykyk! Follow me on Instagram 🙂
Add it, don't add it, do you! We do not drink much and try to keep it out of our children's reach and eye sight, but if you want to add it then go for it!! I once upon a time added it to the recipe and it tastes GREAT with it. Just be sure not to add the tequila everyone recommends to drink because... who does that? No joke, I was this close to adding the tequila I shared on my Instagram to this recipe until my DM's were flooded with "you are crazy". For the record, food is more important in my book these days. Ask me 10 years ago and I would have thought the same as most of you. So just so we are clear, if you want to send me tequila as a gift I will turn it into some tasty food!
What does tequila do to Tequila Lime Chicken?
It marinates beautifully with a mix of lime. To a point where the end dish has a nice char and smokey flavors. It basically optimizes the char level which we all love, no? Don't have tequila to make Tequila Lime Chicken? Try champagne! It's my little trick. Thank me later.
Recipe for Tex Mex Chicken Breast
📖 Recipe
Grilled Tex Mex Chicken Breast
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS
- 3 chicken breasts, sliced very thin (each into three flat filets)
- 1 fresh lime, juiced
- 4-6 cloves large garlic, grated/minced
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or a mix of tequila and broth)
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped with stems
DRY SPICES
- ⅛ teaspoon oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon taco seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- salt
OTHER INGREDIENTS.
- chopped green chillies or red chili powder (optional, I do not add if my kids are eating)
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Remove the chicken from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before cooking.
- Heat a cast iron or high heat resistant pan on high heat. Let it get hot.
- Spray some oil on the pan and add the chicken so that each filet is not touching each other.
- Cook until you see the chicken turn white on the top.
- Slightly turn (not flip) the chicken about 45 degrees to get a cross grill mark on one side.
- Spray the uncooked side of the chicken.
- Cook for an addition minute before flipping.
- Flip and spray the cooked side of the chicken (seems odd, I know). This will prevent the chicken from drying out.
- Continue to cook until the internal temperature reaches 165. The entire cooking process for one chicken filet should be no more than a 12-15 minutes depending on thickness.
- Set each chicken breast filet on a cutting board and let it rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing.
- Enjoy!
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