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Chili's Margarita Grilled Chicken

Copycat Chili's Margarita Grilled Chicken Recipe

Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken packs spicy, sweet and tangy flavors in each bite. With fresh ingredients and an easy prep, there is no excuse not to try it for dinner tonight.
4.77 from 13 votes
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Entree
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 4 people
Calories 296 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless raw chicken breast tenders
  • 1/2 bottle Margarita Mix
  • 2 tsp coarse sea salt

Pico de Gallo

  • 1 tomato small dice
  • 1/4 onion small dice
  • 1/2 jalapeno seeded, small dice
  • 1 lime
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp cilantro

Toppings & Sides

Instructions
 

  • In a glass bowl, add chicken tenders, margarita mix and salt. Stir so tenders are coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
    1 lb boneless, skinless raw chicken breast tenders, 1/2 bottle Margarita Mix, 2 tsp coarse sea salt
  • While chicken is marinating, make your Pico de Gallo:
  • In a bowl, mix together tomato, onion, jalapeno, salt, cilantro and juice from one lime
    1 tomato, 1/4 onion, 1/2 jalapeno, 1 lime, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp cilantro
  • Stir pico. Cover bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • If making beans & spanish rice - make this about 20-30 minutes before you want to eat. The chicken takes less than 10 minutes to cook.
    Spanish Rice, Black Beans
  • After marinating, heat grill pan (or grill or air fryer) to medium high and spray heavily with non-stick cooking spray
  • When skillet is heated, add half chicken tenders to grill pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Turn on your exhaust fan - trust me.
  • Reduce heat to medium low and cook rest of chicken tenders.
  • When chicken is done, prepare your bowls. Place the spanish rice in the middle of the bowl. Surround the edges with black beans. Stack 3-4 chicken tenders on top like a teepee.
  • Top chicken tenders with pico de gallo and tortilla strips.
    1/4 cup Santa Fe Tortilla Strips

Notes

Does Margarita Grilled Chicken have alcohol?

Nope – but you can add tequila to the marinade if you like. I say – save it for the dinner drink!
Can I marinate this overnight?
No – the acidity will start to “cook” the chicken (like ceviche) – so 2-4 hours is good. And trust me – when you bite into the chicken – you’ll taste the margarita!
Is Margarita Grilled Chicken spicy?
No – not at all! You could add pepper flakes to the marinade if you like!
How do I cook the chicken without a grill pan?
You can cook the chicken however you like – I would say stove top is probably my least favorite way – because it can dry out very quickly. My preference is the air fryer (10 min at 350 for tenders) – but if you like those grill marks – you can use your grill pan. You could also pan fry or bake.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25lb chickenCalories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 22.1gProtein: 44.6gFat: 1.1gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 834mgPotassium: 136mgFiber: 1.2gSugar: 19.7gCalcium: 12mg
Keyword chicken, copycat
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