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Home » Dinner » Chicken Fajita Marinade

Published: February 5, 2020 Last Modified: February 5, 2020 By Sara 56 Comments

Chicken Fajita Marinade

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Chicken Fajita Marinade Recipe | Chicken Fajitas #chicken #fajitas #marinade #dinner #dinneratthezoo

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.

Chicken Fajita Marinade Recipe | Chicken Fajitas #chicken #fajitas #marinade #dinner #dinneratthezoo Chicken Fajita Marinade Recipe | Chicken Fajitas #chicken #fajitas #marinade #dinner #dinneratthezoo

Chicken fajita marinade served over sliced chicken and vegetables.

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!

Assorted spices and herbs in bowls.

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.

Sliced bell peppers and onions in a bowl.

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.

Sliced chicken and vegetables coated in fajita marinade.

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.

Fajitas made with chicken fajita marinade in flour tortillas.

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 Taquitos
  • Ground Beef Tacos
  • Shrimp Fajitas
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Mexican Corn Salad

Chicken Fajita Marinade Video

Chicken fajita marinade served over sliced chicken and vegetables.
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5 from 50 votes

Chicken Fajita Marinade

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!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 41 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 141kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 762mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 962IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Comments

    1. Loreen says

      June 4, 2022 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this easy meal. I have left over Mexican rice… I broiled in oven for a few mins after I cooked them to melt some cheese😊

      Reply
    2. Jess says

      May 24, 2022 at 8:20 am

      Do you marinade the chicken and vegetables together?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        May 24, 2022 at 9:52 am

        Yes you do!

        Reply
    3. John says

      February 4, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent and easy fajitas.. loved the marinade and made it extra spice with cayenne

      Reply
    4. Jan says

      January 26, 2022 at 10:50 am

      Love love your marinade! While eating my ta os I always say omg why are these sooo good. Then I realize oh it’s the marinade! I want to shred the chicken this time for burritos so I was wondering if I could slow cook it in the marinade. Should I let the chicken sit in the marinade first for a couple hours then slow cook or just let the chicken cook in the marinade. Don’t want my chicken to change texture like you mentioned. Thank you for your amazing recipe.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 27, 2022 at 9:16 am

        I think it’s fine to let it sit in the marinade and slow cook it, the texture change is in regards to raw chicken so once it’s cooked it won’t make a difference.

        Reply
    5. Suzanne says

      December 7, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      We love your marinade and use it a lot! Thank you! May I also ask if the nutritional value for the marinade is per serving or a total of all the ingredients? Thanks again!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 9, 2021 at 8:47 am

        It’s per serving but it’s tricky to calculate the nutritionals on a marinade since most of it is discarded when you cook the chicken.

        Reply
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