This tequila lime chicken recipe is served with fresh mango salsa and is perfect for warm summer nights. Each piece of lean white meat is glazed with a honey-lime mixture for enhanced flavor.
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Chicken is one of the simplest proteins to cook on a barbecue, and the flavor combinations are endless. There’s no better way to welcome the change in season than with a festive grilled tequila lime chicken paired with bright and colorful mango salsa.
A savory blend of spices combines nicely with tangy lime, aged tequila, and a drizzle of honey. This meal is bold in flavor but easy enough to prepare any day of the week. If you’re ready to fire up the grill, let’s not waste another minute!
Cut the mango
There are a few ways how to cut a mango, but the process is pretty straightforward. Because of the large seed in the center, you must cut around it. I like to use my 8-inch chef’s knife to cut from the top of the stem to get the two widest sides first. Then I slice off two smaller sides.
I cut down into the mango 1/4-inch wide slice pattern in one direction and then cut across in the opposite direction to create a diamond hatch pattern. Then I use a spoon to scoop out the cubes of sliced mango.
Prepare the salsa
A tasty salsa is the quickest way to add fresh flavors and nutrients to each bite. With health in mind, I incorporatingte as many colorful fruits and vegetables into my meals.
Ripe red tomatoes, creamy avocado, savory minced red onions, zesty lemon juice, and spicy jala all make it into this fresh mango salsa recipe. I always have an extra bag of chips on hand, so I can snack on the salsa as I grill.
Grill the chicken
I like adding a simple lime juice and honey glaze combination to each side of the chicken breasts I’m grilling. It’s so good! The chicken is great on top of salads or even as a filling for chicken tacos.
Why not also make yourself a cold mango margarita since you have all of the ingredients on hand? Just a friendly suggestion. I hope you enjoy those warm summer nights with friends or family, just relaxing with full bellies, and that this chicken dish makes it to your table.
More chicken recipes
Recipe Science
The benefit of a chicken marinade
The biggest advantage of marinating chicken is to infuse more flavor! The surface of the meat gets most of the marinade. The garlic and savory spices get dispersed in the oil, which helps the fat-soluble flavor compounds stick to the surface of the chicken. The acids like lime juice in the marinade helps to tenderize the meat. I would go 1 to 2 hours max.
Tequila Lime Chicken with Mango Salsa
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- ¼ cup tequila
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts, thinly sliced or flattened to ½" thick, (4 breasts)
Glaze
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Mango Salsa
- 1 mango, cubed
- ½ cup tomatoes, diced
- 1 avocado, cubed
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- ½ jalapeño, minced
- ½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade – In a mixing bowl, whisk the tequila, 2 tablespoons lime juice, zest, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, chili powder, black pepper, and olive oil.
- Marinate the Chicken – Place the chicken in a resealable plastic bag just large enough to fit. Pour the marinade inside, turning to coat. Remove any air from the bag and seal it. Marinate for 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature or 1 hour refrigerated.
- Prepare the Glaze – In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons honey and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Set aside.
- Mango Salsa – In a medium-sized bowl, combine mango, tomato, avocado, red onion, lemon zest, lemon juice, jalapeno, and cilantro. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Grill the Chicken – Heat the grill to medium-high. Add a small amount of vegetable oil on a folded piece of paper towel, and carefully grease the grill grates to clean. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and discard the marinade.Cook until the chicken is no longer pink (160 to 165°F), about 4 to 6 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness. After flipping the first side, brush the glaze onto the chicken. Transfer to a clean plate, and cover to keep warm.
- To Serve – Brush more glaze on the chicken, if desired, and top with mango salsa.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Aaron says
I don’t have tequila. Can I use vodka?
Mary Ann Falciani says
My Mango Salsa was not as good as I thought it should be. The recipe does not call for salt in the Salsa, should it have some? Also my mango was not very sweet. Does that mean it was not ripe enough?
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Mary Ann- You can definitely season the salsa with salt to taste. If the mango tasted more on the sour side, then it likely needed a little more ripening time. I’ve found that when it’s ripe, you don’t need much extra seasoning.
Tima says
Would it be ok to let it marinade overnight?
Jessica Gavin says
You can marinate for 24 hours max, otherwise, the meat might start to get slightly mushy in some areas. Let me know how it goes!
Dave says
I love how it’s all prepared in one pan you could even cook the rice in it if you had a lid for the sauté pan. Yay!!
I’ve made fried rice before following a recipe that dirtied every pan I owned. Felt there must be a simpler way. This method rocks!!
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you for your feedback! I love the idea of making rice in the same pan too, genius.
Heather says
This looks amazing! I was planning on making this tonight but realized the chicken I have on hand is legs. I’m going to try it with the legs, baking them and then finishing them on the grill. My boyfriend is so excited for tonight!
Melissa says
Hi there! For someone who doesn’t have a grill, can this be made using a stove or oven??
Jessica Gavin says
Yes, you can make the chicken on the stove top.
Lisa says
I made this today, Memorial Day, for my family. Everyone loved it. The chicken was very tender and delicious!! I will definitely make this again.
Luisa says
I found this after doing a google search for mango chicken and I’m glad I did! Paired with jasmin rice! It was delicious! Used my husband’s Don Julio 1942 Tequila and we loved it! Loved the idea of the lime/honey glaze the only thing I did different was add a sprinkle of breadcrumbs! Thanks, looking forward to cooking more of your recipes!
Nicole says
Loved the mango salsa! Will definitely be incorporating it into my Mexican dishes.
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks Nicole!
Cindy says
I love this recipe- I will definitely be making it again! I will admit I got a little carried away with the lime juice for the marinade and I used chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts -it’s the only chicken I had on hand that was organic. I grilled this over a hickory wood fire and the combination of the Smoky flavor from the wood combined with the mango salsa was awesome!
Jessica Gavin says
So happy to hear that you loved the recipe Cindy! The hickory wood fire sounds incredible!
Kevin says
Great recipe! Definitely bookmarking this one!
Thanks a bunch!
Jessica Gavin says
You’re welcome Kevin!
Kathy says
Wow! My husband and I made this tonight. So yummy! We had asparagus on the side and a few tortilla chips. We both love your recipes!
Jessica Gavin says
Whoo hoo! So happy to hear that your family enjoyed the chicken recipe Kathy 🙂
Tina says
What else would you serve this with, vegetables?
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Tina! I would serve the chicken with this a corn salad or just some sauteed vegetables like zucchini, bell pepper, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Even a fresh salad would be nice too!
Kat says
Does the type of tequila make a difference? I have silver Jose Cuervo I was thinking I would use…
Jessica Gavin says
Silver will work just fine Kat 🙂
Annette says
We are nondrinkets so wr don’t have any tequila. Can I make without it?
Jessica Gavin says
Absolutely Annette! I would substitute the 1/4 cup tequila with water or if you have juice (orange, pineapple).
Karly says
Fresh, juicy and flavorful. Kinda like me, I’d like to think! Hehe. Seriously, though, this looks amazing and SO perfect for summertime!
Jessica Gavin says
Karly I’m sure you are all those things and even more 🙂 It’s definitely a fun dish to make when you are craving some fresh air and outdoor dining!
Marina Rapisarda says
Dear Jessica,
Thanks for sharing your receipe for Jerk Chicken . It was quick, easy, and I had all of the spices on hand. My husband raved about and he is looking forward to having it again.
Jessica Gavin says
I;m so delighted to hear your family enjoyed the chicken recipe Marina! I appreciate your feedback and can’t wait to share more recipes with you 🙂
Louise says
Looks like summer on a plate! I will definitely add this to my favourites. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Jessica Gavin says
No problem Louise! I’m so ready for summer and can’t wait for you to try this recipe 🙂