Tequila-Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers
Juicy grilled chicken marinated in a zesty tequila and lime mixture, perfect for summer barbecues or casual dinners. This Mexican-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, tequila, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 0.5 cup tequila
- 0.25 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 0.5 cup tequila, 0.25 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper until well combined.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs cubed boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread marinated chicken onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, distributing pieces evenly.
- Step 4: Grill chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges have a slight char.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and sprinkle with 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves before serving warm with lime wedges.









