Chili Lime Chicken Marinade – Tangy + Spicy Recipe
Liven up grilled or roasted chicken with this easy Chili Lime Marinade. It captures the spicy and sweet-tart flavors of chili powder, fresh garlic, and lime.
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In addition to this chicken lime marinade, we also love this Coconut Curry Marinade and this baked Honey Mustard Chicken.
The glaze you see glistening on the chicken is from this lime chili marinade.

IN THIS POST: Everything you need to make chicken with lime marinade
Ingredients for this recipe
- olive oil – or use your favorite oil
- lime juice – grab some lime zest for garnish!
- garlic – minced fine
- chili powder
- sea salt + pepper
- chicken – my fave is boneless skinless chicken breasts
Of course, the star of the show for chicken marinade with lime is the fresh lime!

How to prepare the Chili Lime Marinade
This recipe takes very little prep time.
Start by squeezing the juice into a small mason jar.
Second add the olive oil, chili powder, minced garlic, and of course sea salt and pepper all to the mason jar and give it a really good shake.

Next, place your chicken in a glass container and pour the chili lime seasoning over it. Then use your hands and rub the marinade into the chicken.

Cover with a tight-fitting lid and let it sit in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes if you want it tonight and up to overnight if you are prepping for tomorrow.

FAQ’S, Tips + Substitutions
- Can you use this marinade for other meat? Yes! We also love chili lime shrimp, as well as fish like salmon.
- How do you cook the chicken? Roast in the oven, fire up the BBQ, heat up a grill pan, or oil up those grill grates. Cook until the thickest part reads at least 165 Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer.
- TIP! The best way to get the most juice out of your fruit is to give it a roll with the palms of your hands. This loosens the juice from the pulp.
- This recipe is perfect for healthy meal prep! Store it in an airtight container and it will be ready to stir into soups or use in sandwiches and wraps. I also add leftovers into weeknight casseroles like this popular Mexican Rice Bake. So good!
- This Cilantro Lime Brown Rice is a perfectly paired side dish with chili lime grilled chicken. Just add a simple salad and dinner is served.
- Whip up this Red Cabbage Slaw, grab some whole grain tortillas, avocado, salsa, guacamole, and all the fixings, and have chicken tacos! Simply shred the chicken with a fork once it’s cooked.
- This recipe uses chicken breast but you could easily substitute chicken thighs, wings, and, drumsticks.

MORE HEALTHY GLUTEN FREE CHICKEN RECIPES:
- Chicken Broccoli Bake
- Oven Baked Chicken Fingers
- Garlic Maple Dijon Chicken
- Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders
- Maple Glazed Chicken
**This recipe was originally posted on April 19, 2013, and updated on July 27, 2020, and again on June 19, 2022, with recipe notes, writing, and new photos.**
If you’ve tried my lime and chili marinade, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!
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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Chili Lime Chicken Marinade – Tangy + Spicy Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 limes *juiced
- 1 clove garlic *minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- sea salt + pepper to taste
- 1 lb chicken
Instructions
- Shake all ingredients, except chicken, together in a small mason jar.
- Place chicken in an oven proof glass container and pour marinade over. Massage well.
- Leave in the fridge, covered, for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to overnight.
TO BAKE IN THE OVEN
- Bake in the oven at 375 for 35-40 minutes or until the thermometer reads at least 165 f. I use the same dish I marinate in and baste every 10 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Can you use this marinade for other meat? Yes! We also love chili lime shrimp, as well as fish like salmon.
- How do you cook the chicken? Roast in the oven, fire up the BBQ, heat up a grill pan, or oil up those grill grates. Cook until the thickest part reads at least 165 Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer.
- TIP! The best way to get the most juice out of your fruit is to give it a roll with the palms of your hands. This loosens the juice from the pulp.
- This recipe is perfect for healthy meal prep! Store it in an airtight container and it will be ready to stir into soups or use in sandwiches and wraps. I also add leftovers into weeknight casseroles like this popular Mexican Rice Bake. So good!
- This Cilantro Lime Brown Rice is a perfectly paired side dish with chili lime grilled chicken. Just add a simple salad and dinner is served.
- Whip up this Red Cabbage Slaw, grab some whole grain tortillas, avocado, salsa, guacamole, and all the fixings, and have chicken tacos! Simply shred the chicken with a fork once it’s cooked.
- This recipe uses chicken breast but you could easily substitute chicken thighs, wings, and, drumsticks.