Southwestern Chicken Marinade Recipes

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Add the oil, vinegar, cilantro/parsley, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt and pepper to a gallon-sized freezer bag, seal, and shake. Either seal and refrigerate until ready to use, OR add 1.5-2 pounds chicken to the bag, seal, and squish around to make sure the chicken is covered in marinade. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
• Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Cook the chicken however you'd like (grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake). See tips below in the Notes.

EASY SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED CHICKEN RUB AND MARINADE

Steps:

• Blend all ingredients.
• Rub this blend on to individual chicken pieces and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for one hour prior to grilling.
• NOTE: This blend can also be converted to a paste by whisking in 3 tablespoons of olive oil per every tablespoon of rub blend. Use the paste on steaks or roasts.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Mix together marinade ingredients.
• Coat chicken in marinade.
• (Optional: allow chicken to marinate 1-2 hours. On evenings when I don't have time to let it sit, though, it still tastes good when it goes straight to the grill!).
• Grill chicken.

BUTTERMILK SOUTHWESTERN GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk together the buttermilk, lime zest and juice, garlic, chili powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric, hot sauce, cilantro, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a large bowl. Pour the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag, add the chicken, seal the bag and refrigerate. Marinate bone-in chicken up to 12 hours, boneless up to 4 hours, chicken legs or breasts, up to 24 hours. If using fish, marinate white fish such as snapper, halibut or bass up to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the grill pan over medium-low heat for boneless breasts and fish, and medium heat for bone-in breasts, thighs and legs. Remove the meat/fish from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste, on both sides. Grill until golden brown and charred on both sides and just cooked through.
• Cook's Note:
• This recipe also includes the method for fish.
• Boneless chicken breasts: about 9 minutes total
• Chicken thighs/legs: about 20 minutes total
• Bone-in chicken breasts: about 15 minutes total
• White Fish: about 8 minutes total

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Mix lime juice and chili powder in medium glass or plastic bowl; stir in chicken. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes. Cut zucchini and yellow squash into thin slices.
• Heat 12-inch skillet or wok over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil; rotate skillet to coat side.
• Add chicken and marinade; stir-fry until chicken is no longer pink in center. Remove from skillet. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil; rotate skillet to coat side. Add zucchini and yellow squash; stir-fry about 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add chicken, picante sauce and cilantro; cook and stir until hot.

SOUTHWESTERN LIME CHICKEN WITH ANCHO CHILI SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine first 9 ingredients in medium bowl; whisk to blend. Place chicken in 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Pour marinade over. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Remove chicken breasts from marinade. Grill chicken until just cooked through, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Place 1 cheese slice atop each chicken breast half; cover barbecue and cook until cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to plates. Serve with Ancho Chili Sauce.

SOUTHWEST GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first six ingredients; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for up to 1 hour., Drain chicken, discarding marinade in bag. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 4-7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, chili powder, salt and paprika. Rub over both sides of chicken. In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, brown chicken on both sides; drizzle with lime juice. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Brown chicken breasts on both sides. Add tomatoes with green chile peppers, beans and corn. Reduce heat and let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Add a dash of cumin and serve.