This chicken fajita marinade is a blend of olive oil, lime juice and spices, all mixed together to form the perfect flavoring for zesty fajitas. You can also use this marinade to make Mexican style chicken for burritos, nachos, tacos and more!
Mexican food is favorite in my house, every week I find myself making steak tacos, chicken enchiladas or chicken fajitas. This fajita marinade takes just 5 minutes to put together and always gets rave reviews.
I have been making this chicken fajita marinade for many years – it’s my absolute favorite way to add flavor to plain old chicken breasts! This is the best method of enjoying restaurant style fajitas in the comfort of your own home.
How do you make chicken fajita marinade?
This marinade is a mixture of olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and onion powder. Whisk all of the ingredients together and you’ve got a simple yet flavorful marinade. Add chicken to the marinade, and let it sit in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes. Cook your chicken as desired, along with peppers and onions, and you’ll have delicious fajitas to enjoy!
Tips for the perfect marinade
- Be sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice.
- I use a mild chili powder, so I add 2 tablespoons to my marinade. If you’re using a chili powder that packs some heat, you may want to cut it back to 1 tablespoon.
- Smoked paprika can be found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores and adds so much great flavor.
- This recipe makes enough marinade to coat about 1 pound of chicken.
- You can use chicken breasts, chicken thighs or chicken tenders in this marinade. I typically use chicken breasts that are cut into strips.
- This marinade can be made up to 2 days before you plan to use it.
How long can you marinate chicken?
This chicken should soak in the marinade for a minimum of 30 minutes, and a maximum of 8 hours. The marinade contains a large amount of lime juice, and the acid in the juice can change the texture of the chicken if it soaks for an extended period of time.
Chicken fajita marinade variations
While I typically make this marinade as written, sometimes I add other ingredients to the mix depending on what I have on hand.
- Herbs: Feel free to add a handful of fresh herbs such as chopped cilantro leaves or sliced green onion.
- Spice: If you prefer a spicy marinade, add some hot sauce or minced canned chipotle peppers to taste.
- Citrus: While lime juice is a classic pairing with Mexican food, you can add some lemon or orange juice to the mix for a different flavor.
- Protein: This marinade also works with other types of protein such as shrimp, flank steak or pork tenderloin.
You can’t go wrong with a good marinade! Whether you choose to grill, pan sear or bake your fajitas, the results will be perfect each and every time.
More Mexican food favorites
Chicken Fajita Marinade Video
Chicken Fajita Marinade
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1-2 tablespoons chili powder depending on the heat level of your chili powder. I use a mild chili powder so I do the full 2 tablespoons.
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place the olive oil, lime juice, water, sugar, kosher salt, cumin, garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder and pepper in a bowl.
- Stir to combine.
- Add 1 pound of sliced chicken, 1 1/2 cups sliced bell peppers and 1/2 cup sliced onions to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
Stacy says
My go to for chicken fajitas!!! Excellent marinade!!!
Lynn Hale says
I found your recipe two weeks ago and have already made this twice! So easy and flavorful. The leftovers make great Chicken Fajita salads!
Justin says
I made this marinade but also added a little beer, soy sauce and Worcestershire and man it was AMAZING!!!!
Mary says
This marinade was absolutely delicious!!!! It was easy to prepare and a hit with the family. Thank you!!!
Emily says
Very good, I have used this a few times on boneless skin less thighs and cooked it on the bbq. I slice it up after it is cooked. Perfect!
Regina says
This is my absolute favorite fajita marinade. It comes together so quickly and the flavor is incredible!
Jo says
What brand of mild chili powder do you use?
Sara says
McCormick!
Dinner Dread Mom says
The marinade is easy to make and has restaurant-quality flavor! I make it as instructed with chicken and my family was blown away at how delicious it was. This is my new go-to Mexican cuisine marinade. I agree with the author that using real lime juice makes a noticeable flavor impact.
Joan C. says
We had this last night with chicken and it was absolutely delicious. It was far more flavorful than the packaged seasoning that I have been buying, and I imagine much more healthy! My whole family loved it. Thank you for a great and easy dinner recipe for Whole 30.
Lindy says
Thoroughly enjoyed! Great flavor! Will definitely be making often!
Mia Caryn Washington says
Will this recipe work for shrimp also.
Sara says
Yes it will!
Sarah says
What are the cooking instructions??
Sara says
You can follow this recipe! https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/chicken-fajitas-recipe/
Julie says
Very easy to make and super delicious! I used 1/4 tsp Cheyenne pepper power as I did not have chilli powder, and it still turned out well. Thanks for the great recipe!
Hannah says
So this is about my hundredth time coming back to your page to use your marinade so I guess I should at least leave a review! This marinade is absolutely perfect. I use it to season my chicken for sandwiches, and for a spicy pasta dish I like to make. Everyone loves it, even my picky four year old.
sharon dillinger says
Tried this recipe last week and just wanted to let you know how delicious it was and a hit with my picky husband. Tastes so fresh and the marinade infuses the chicken so well. Just a great recipe which will be used again in the near future.
Ckn says
Perfect chicken marinade!!
Alison says
I want to shout this recipe from the rooftops! It is so incredibly delicious and so easy! Most ingredients I usually have on hand. We’ve made them twice and it will be added to the regular rotation.
Patti says
A perfect marinade for chicken!!! My family along with another family I cook for just loved this! Keep sharing what you share please!
Marta Oliveira says
Question: could we freeze the chicken fajita marinade before been cooked?
Thank you
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
Kelly says
Our camping families always have a theme night for dinner and taco night is usually one of them. Most everything is made ahead so we can enjoy our day. I was in charge of chicken and was looking for a good marinade and came across this recipe. So glad I did! Everyone raved about it and there was NONE left! I made 4# of chicken. DELICIOUS! Will be making this again and again and again!😋
Cathy says
I’ve always done my own chicken fajita marinade and it was great. This, however, is DIVINE! I’ve made it several times the last couple of weeks. Thanks you!!