Margarita Chicken

This Margarita Chicken is marinated in a zesty blend of lime juice, tequila, chilli, and coriander, then chargrilled to smoky perfection. It’s one of those dishes that brings sunshine to the table—fresh, tangy, and packed with flavour.

I make it with a bottle of tequila my brother picked out for me during a visit to San Diego years ago, which adds a sentimental twist to a recipe that’s already full of punchy character. Serve it sliced with lime wedges and a cool drink on the side—it’s made for sharing.

Serves 4.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, skin and excess fat removed
• 60ml (¼ cup) tequila
• 60ml (¼ cup) lime juice
• 2 small chillies, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 15g or ¼ cup finely chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Lime wedges

Method

1. Marinate the chicken:
   • In a non-metallic bowl, mix the tequila, lime juice, chillies, garlic, coriander, and olive oil.
   • Add the chicken breasts, turning to coat them well.
   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavour.
2. Prepare to cook:
   • Remove the chicken from the fridge 20–30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
   • Preheat your cooking surface:
     • BBQ grill or stovetop grill pan: medium-high heat.
     • Standard frying pan: medium heat, with a light brushing of oil if needed.
3. Cook the chicken:
   • Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it lightly dry. Then, season both sides with salt and pepper.
   • Grill or cook the chicken for 7–8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 74°C).
   • If using a frying pan, consider loosely covering it with a lid for the last few minutes to help the food cook through without drying out.
4. Serve:
   • Slice the chicken into 1cm slices on the diagonal.
   • Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

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Tips

• If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, consider butterflying them for quicker and more even cooking.
• Leftovers are excellent sliced into salads or wraps the next day.

What ingredient has a special meaning to you? Let us know in the comments below.