• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Recipes » Recipes

    Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken Tenders

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: May 27, 2016 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    Grilled tequila lime chicken tenders are tender, juicy and loaded with flavor. Marinate them for an hour or two, and they take less than 20 minutes to make.

    Jump to Recipe -

    grilled-tequiia-lime-chicken-tenders 

    We've had amazing weather lately, and so our grill is working overtime. While most of the country is celebrating the start of grilling season, here in Arizona, it's usually getting too hot. Needless to say, I'm loving this weather, and we're spending as much time as we can outside.

    We probably grill chicken more than anything, followed by beef and sometimes pork. The Hubs even grills bacon on the weekends, which is so much easier than frying it.

    Usually, we have chicken with barbecue sauce -- it's the kids' favorite. But sometimes, I'll make a simple olive oil and citrus marinade and sauce. Cilantro lime is one of my favorites, and it goes so well with chicken.

    But today, we decided to be slightly more adventurous, and I made tequila lime sauce and marinade, instead. 

    grilled-chicken-tenders-barbecue

    The tequila gives the chicken a little extra kick, and the alcohol burns off so that it's fine for the kiddo. I also added some diced jalapeno pepper, garlic and fresh cilantro. Believe me, there's definitely a ton of flavor going on here!

    In this particular recipe, I used boneless skinless chicken tenders. There was an awesome sale at the store the other day, and we stocked up on fresh tenders. These are so easy to work with, and they cook so much faster than other cuts of meat. But, you can always use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, if that's what you have.

    pour-sauce-on-grilled-tequila-lime-chicken

    The longer the chicken marinates, the better it tastes, but in a pinch, any amount of time is fine. I saved the leftover marinade, heated it on the stove to kill off bacteria from the raw chicken, and then, we poured this sauce all over the cooked tenders.

    The result is amazing! Honestly, you have to give this recipe a try.

    And if you don't want to use alcohol, just leave the tequila out and maybe add some lemon juice to the mix, instead.

    tequila-lime-grilled-chicken-tenders

    How to Make Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken Tenders

    grilled-tequiia-lime-chicken-tenders

    Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken Tenders

    Published by Dee
    Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken Tenders is an easy grilled chicken recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 16 mins
    Total Time 26 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 to 8 servings
    Calories 107 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 1//2 pounds boneless skinless chicken tenders
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup tequila
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup orange juice
    • 2 whole limes
    • 3 cloves chopped garlic
    • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
    • 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken, and place in a large zip-top bag
    • Add the remaining ingredients, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 or more hours
    • Heat grill, and cook tenders over heavy duty aluminum foil for about 8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees
    • Heat leftover marinade until bubbling. ( You can add more olive oil, orange juice and lime juice if you need to. )
    • Transfer cooked chicken to a platter, and pour sauce over the chicken
    • Serve immediately

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 107kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 581mgPotassium: 20mgVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 5.2mgIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    grilled-tequila-lime-chicken-tenders-platter

    These grilled tequila lime chicken tenders were incredibly juicy and not dry at all. And the flavor? Sublime. Best of all, they only take about 15 to 20 minutes to cook. I'm more than fine with that.

    I served the chicken along with corn, baked potatoes and a big old bowl of homemade guacamole -- simple but so satisfying!

    Grilled tequila lime chicken tenders recipe

    Not only is this a quick and easy summer dinner the first time around, but you can also use the leftover chicken in sandwiches, salads, tacos or just about anything. And that definitely works for me!

    Have a super day!

    sig%2B1.png

     

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Recipes on the blog

    • Everything Bagel Dip Recipe
    • Valentines Rice Krispie Treats
    • Valentine's Day Snack Mix
    • Steak Quesadilla Recipe

    You May Also Like

    grilled corn on the cob in foil with parsley on platter
    Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil
    chinese ramen chicken salad with crunchy ramen noodles, napa cabbage and mandarin oranges in a serving bowl
    Chinese Ramen Chicken Salad
    juicy lipton onion soup burger with cheese on the table
    Mom's Lipton Onion Soup Burgers Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Cheryl Schmeling says

      April 24, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      Do you squeeze the limes for juice, cut them up, or what?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 24, 2021 at 3:38 pm

        You squeeze the lime juice into the marinade. We usually toss the squeezed limes in for extra flavor, but that's optional.

    2. Cathy Trochelman says

      May 31, 2016 at 10:20 am

      That tequila lime sauce sounds AWESOME! Such a perfect dish for summer!

      Reply
    3. Angie | Big Bear's Wife says

      May 30, 2016 at 11:10 am

      Chicken is like our all time favorite thing to grill too! Ok, well Thomas love steak but I love chicken and could eat it every day! Love this recipe!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 31, 2016 at 1:49 am

        Thanks, Angie. That sounds like us -- I love chicken!

    4. Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says

      May 29, 2016 at 7:55 am

      Gotta love some boozy chicken! This is a perfect summer recipe - fun, light and on the grill! We've been all about grilling, too, and it's nice to change up the flavors. Pinned and can't wait to try this!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Andi @ The Weary Chef says

      May 28, 2016 at 8:37 am

      I love juicy chicken tenders! Great that you used tequila! 😀

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 28, 2016 at 11:04 am

        Thanks! These weren't dry at all! 🙂

    6. Nutmeg Nanny says

      May 27, 2016 at 8:27 pm

      This chicken looks delicious! Love that tequila twist.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 27, 2016 at 10:24 pm

        Thanks so much! I think we're going to make tacos with the leftovers -- yum!

      • Heart says

        May 31, 2016 at 5:46 am

        Oh boy! I love that idea, Dee. Smart thinking! 🙂5 stars

    7. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

      May 27, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      This recipe sounds perfect for grilling season! Love that there is tequila in the marinade- yum. 🙂

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 27, 2016 at 10:28 pm

        I think the tequila really makes the dish taste extra special!

    8. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

      May 27, 2016 at 11:14 am

      That sounds a little bit like a margarita chicken marinade. Love it!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 27, 2016 at 11:34 am

        Thanks, Dorothy. I can tell you that margaritas go very well with this! 🙂

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • Best Dutch Oven Beef Stew Recipe
    • Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Grandma's Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe
    • Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats
    • How to Cook Ramen Noodles in the Microwave
    • Easy Chicken Stuffing Bake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2023 Meatloaf and Melodrama