Best Southwest Chicken Marinade Recipes

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Add the oil, vinegar, cilantro/parsley, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt and pepper to a gallon-sized freezer bag, seal, and shake. Either seal and refrigerate until ready to use, OR add 1.5-2 pounds chicken to the bag, seal, and squish around to make sure the chicken is covered in marinade. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
• Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Cook the chicken however you'd like (grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake). See tips below in the Notes.

BUTTERMILK SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk together the buttermilk, lime zest and juice, garlic, chili powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, hot sauce, cilantro, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a large bowl. Pour the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag, add the chicken, seal the bag and refrigerate. Marinate bone-in chicken up to 12 hours, boneless up to 4 hours, chicken legs or breasts, up to 24 hours. If using fish, marinate white fish such as snapper, halibut or bass up to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the grill pan over medium-low heat for boneless breasts and fish, and medium heat for bone-in breasts, thighs and legs. Remove the meat/fish from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste, on both sides. Grill until golden brown and charred on both sides and just cooked through.
• Cook's Note:
• This recipe also includes the method for fish.
• Boneless chicken breasts: about 9 minutes total
• Chicken thighs/legs: about 20 minutes total
• Bone-in chicken breasts: about 15 minutes total
• White Fish: about 8 minutes total

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Mix together marinade ingredients.
• Coat chicken in marinade.
• (Optional: allow chicken to marinate 1-2 hours. On evenings when I don't have time to let it sit, though, it still tastes good when it goes straight to the grill!).
• Grill chicken.

SOUTHWESTERN LIME CHICKEN WITH ANCHO CHILI SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine first 9 ingredients in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Place chicken in 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Pour marinade over. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Remove chicken breasts from marinade. Grill chicken until just cooked through, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Place 1 cheese slice atop each chicken breast half; cover barbecue and cook until cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to plates. Serve with Ancho Chili Sauce.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN PANINI

Steps:

• Whisk water, vegetable oil, and marinade mix together in a glass or ceramic bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes, or overnight.
• Preheat an electric grill (such as George Foreman®) for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Place chicken on the preheated grill, close the lid, and cook until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• While chicken is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion and saute until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Butter one side of each slice of bread. Assemble 2 sandwiches by layering Monterey Jack cheese, vegetables, and chicken between the unbuttered sides of the bread.
• Place sandwiches on the grill, close the lid, and cook until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together and coat chicken.
• Enjoy!

SOUTHWEST GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first six ingredients; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for up to 1 hour., Drain chicken, discarding marinade in bag. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 4-7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.