Chicken Fajita Marinade
A good Chicken Fajita Marinade is the heart of authentic fajitas. This zesty and savoury mix infuses chicken with smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy flavours, ensuring every bite is juicy and bursting with Mexican-inspired taste. With simple pantry ingredients, you can prepare a restaurant-quality marinade at home in minutes.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, and orange juice.
- Add garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until the marinade is well combined.
- Place chicken breasts or thighs in a zip-lock bag or bowl.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken and coat evenly.
- Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2–8 hours.
- Remove from marinade and cook on a hot grill, skillet, or oven.
- Slice and serve with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and warm tortillas.
Notes
- Do not marinate chicken for more than 12 hours, or the acid can make it mushy.
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness, but breasts work well too.
- Save some marinade (before adding chicken) to drizzle on fajitas after cooking.