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5 from 1 vote

Whole30 Southwest Chicken Marinade

Course dinner, lunch, seasonings
Keyword chicken, grilling, marinade
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinade Time (minimum) 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup lime juice (about two small limes)
  • 1/3 cup avocado or olive oil
  • 1-1.5 lbs chicken thighs or breasts

Instructions

  • WHISK together all the ingredients except the chicken in a medium bowl.
  • ADD chicken and combined marinade into a zip-top reusable bag or glass container. Seal or cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 24 hours.
  • TO GRILL - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Brush the grill with oil so the chicken won’t stick. Cook 4-5 minutes on each side until chicken has sear marks and is cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from the grill and cover with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes to let juices redistribute before cutting.
  • OVEN BAKE - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Pour the marinade and chicken into a 9x9 pan. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until lightly browned and is no longer pink inside or has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it.
  • AIR FRY - Add the chicken to your air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F for 9-10 minutes, flipping halfway if the chicken is overlapping at all. Cook until lightly browned and is no longer pink inside or has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it.
  • TO FREEZE - Marinated chicken can go straight into the freezer after combining the chicken with the marinade in either a sealed reusable zip-top bag or a glass container with a lid. No need to marinate it before freezing, as it will marinate in the freezer. The frozen chicken in the marinade does need to be thawed fully before cooking, so be sure to pull it out the night before you want to cook.