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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.

Cooked marinated chicken breast on a platter with slices of lime wedges on the side with a bowl of white rice
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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.

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

Chicken Marinade - chicken breast, taco seasoning, oil, water, lemon juice

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.
Adding the seasoning to the bowl of oil
  • 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.
Chicken breast marinating in a bowl
  • 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.
Chicken breast sliced on a plate with a bite on a fork and white rice on the plate

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.

Slice chicken breast on a plate with white rice and lime wedges

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Marinade does this Make

This marinade will be enough for 3 to 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts. This simple marinade would also taste awesome on pork.

How to Cook Marinated Chicken

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!

How Long to Marinate Chicken

We recommend marinating chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. The longer the chicken marinate the more flavor it has.

How to Store Leftover Marinade

Store the leftover marinade in the refrigerator. We recommend using it within 1 week.

More Easy Chicken Marinade Recipes

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

5 from 14 votes
This easy Taco Chicken Marinade is perfect for the grill, crock pot, or the oven. We made it on chicken but really this marinade is perfect for pork too!
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine American
Course Marinades
Calories 86

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)
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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!

Recipe Notes

This marinade is going to be hit in your household!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 86kcal, Carbohydrates 2g, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 7g, Sodium 235mg, Potassium 10mg, Vitamin A 275IU, Vitamin C 5.3mg, Iron 0.2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 14 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Damo says:

    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

  2. Jenny says:

    5 stars
    My whole family loves this chicken, even my picky 9-year-old. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Carrie says:

    Yes, definitely. I would cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hour in the crock pot.

  4. Carol Peterson says:

    Can this be done in the crockpot?

  5. Carrie says:

    Awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed both of these recipes.

  6. Gale McMahon says:

    5 stars
    I made this marinade and the homemade taco seasoning today and it was great. really spiced up the chicken.

  7. Carrie says:

    Yes, I would bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Thank you.

  8. Carol says:

    What is the temperature I need for the oven ? Would 350 work

  9. Minnie@thelady8home says:

    Sounds awesome. Flavourful and tasty!

  10. Carrie says:

    I think that will work perfectly.

  11. Marcie says:

    making this for dinner tonight. I didn’t have lemon juice but had lime juice. will that make a difference?