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Dinner

Easy Chicken Taco Marinade

This simple marinade makes your chicken juicy and packed with classic taco flavor.

By Recipes By Naniยท ๐ŸŒ Mexicanยท July 20, 2026
Easy Chicken Taco Marinade
recipesbynani.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
25 minutes
Serves
4

There is nothing like a good taco night to bring the family together at the dinner table. This marinade is my go to because it relies on pantry staples I always have on hand, and it really transforms plain chicken breasts into something special.

My biggest tip is to let the chicken sit in the fridge for at least thirty minutes. If you have extra time, letting it marinate for a few hours makes the flavor even better.

๐Ÿงบ Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณInstructions

  1. 1

    Whisk the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl or a gallon size freezer bag.

  2. 2

    Add the chicken to the mixture and coat it thoroughly.

  3. 3

    Seal the bag or cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

  4. 4

    Heat a skillet over medium high heat and cook the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes on each side until it is golden brown and cooked through.

  5. 5

    Remove the chicken from the pan, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice or shred it for your tacos.

๐Ÿ’ก Tips

Serve these with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime. If you have leftover chicken, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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