Mouthwatering Jalapeño Lime Chicken that’s big on flavor and takes 15 minutes to make. A gluten free, low calorie meal, that’s delicious and easy and guaranteed to spice up boring chicken!
If you want to spice up your chicken, then you certainly came to the right place today! No more boring chicken for you! Chicken is a blank canvas that’s open to the mind’s imagination.
That’s one of the reasons I love cooking with chicken so much. Not only is its great lean high protein, but you can virtually turn it into a very flavorful dish without much effort, and you know I’m big on spending less time in the kitchen and more time in the gym. Or these days, more time on the computer thanks to nutrition school. C’est la vie! 😉
I always wanted to speak French, but that never happened. Did you know I’m fluent in Spanish, lived in Spain, worked in Mexico? These days I don’t use my fluency much other than as the translator for store cashiers when there’s a very obvious language barrier. My fluency does tie into this recipe, I promise!
When I worked in Mexico, the guys I worked with (I was the only girl) had weekly BBQ’s. There was nothing else to do in small town Del Rio, Texas other than drink and eat. But those men, I swear they were the best cooks. Crazy good cooks, in fact. I learned so much about cooking and marinating meat, and this Jalapeño Lime Chicken is one of the recipes I stole from them.
With just a few simple ingredients, you get tender chicken exploding with juicy, citrus flavors in your mouth. I added just a bit of spice to the recipe. Just enough to let you know it’s there, but not enough to set your mouth on fire. Feel free to turn up the heat by adding more red pepper or jalapeño if you love spice!
The key to making this Jalapeño Lime Chicken extra moist and tender is marinating it for hours. I recommend a minimum of 2-3 hours, but overnight is best. That way the chicken soaks up all the delicious lime juice and seasonings. Once it’s marinated, it only takes 15 minutes before you’ve got juicy Jalapeño Lime Chicken in your mouth!
This recipe is a great low-carb lunch or dinner with a large side of steamed veggies. I top my chicken with blender salsa. You can’t forget the salsa! It’s 100% necessary. But if you’re looking for a well-rounded meal, rice or plantains would make excellent additions! The dish is very versatile. You really can’t go wrong!
- 3 chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 jalapeno sliced into quarter inch pieces
- cilantro & lime for topping
- Make the marinade by combing the extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, cumin, red pepper, salt & pepper in a bowl with 2-3 slices of jalapeño.
- To a plastic container or plastic bag, add the chicken breasts & marinade. Refrigerate 2-3 hours (overnight is even better!) to allow chicken breasts to soak up the lime-y good marinade.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 minutes prior to cooking to bring to room temperature.
- Heat a grill pan over medium heat (alternatively you can grill these), place the chicken & marinade on the heated pan.
- Cook 7-8 minutes until the chicken browns on the bottom. Flip the chicken and cook another 7-8 minutes on the other side until cooked through completely. Depending on the thickness of the chicken, you may need more or less time.
- Remove chicken from the grill pan, serve immediately and garnish with lime, cilantro and 5 minute blender salsa!
Hungry for more?
Greek Yogurt Paprika Chicken
Walnut Pesto Chicken Summer Squash
You know that I am down with just about anything that has the words jalapeno, lime, and chicken…
Mexican lovers for life!
I already love chicken so adding jalapeño and lime is like icing on the cake! YUM, pinned 🙂
Thank you! It’s kind of my fav too.
OH my god I love anything spicy! Anything!!!!!!!! Also can I be you in your past life you lived in so many cool places!
Haha sometimes I feel like I’ve lived 9 lives.
I used to live in Mexico to well Cabo San Lucas but the best tacos I still to this at ever had were on the side of the road ill under a tent lol! These look so yummy I can’t wait to whip them up during meal prep this week xo
Cabo sounds a lot nicer than the tiny border town I lived in. I probably never would have moved & Mexican food on the side of the road is the best!
Simple marinated chicken recipes like this are the definition of SUMMER in our world. Love the kick from the peppers!
Yes! Can you believe summers almost over?
I’ve added this to our menu planner for next week Megan. Thanks!
Lynne is addicted to jalapeños. She eats them with a spoon out of the jar. She (and myself of course) will love this.
Fascinated about you talking about Mexico! It’s on our list to visit. After Hawaii and San Fran next year, Kilimanjaro the year after…… lol
Neil! You will have fun in Mexico. One of my favorite places to visit! Hawaii and San Fran are fun too. Never been to Kilimanjaro. I think I need to add that to my list. Hope you both enjoy the recipe, you may need to add extra jalapeño for Lynne!
“Chicken is a blank canvas that’s open to the mind’s imagination.” This is so true! Love the story behind this recipe! Quick, easy, and delicious are always winners in my book when it comes to trying a new recipe like this!
There’s usually a story behind on all my recipes. 🙂
That chicken right there looks pretty dang perfect to me! I am almost bummed I didn’t just have chicken for lunch! LOL!
Chicken is one of my favs. The possibilities are endless!!!
I made this recipe and followed it to the letter. It was absolutely delicious and I am definitely not a chef! It was a vfairly quick, easy and delicious dinner to make after working all day. We had tortillas and seasoned black beans as sides it was really perfect. Next time I m going to double the strawberry-jalapeno salsa to have extra whatever!! ??
So glad you liked it. It’s one of my personal favs!