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Skip the restaurant and make this Air Fryer Margarita Chicken at home! Tender, juicy chicken breasts in a zesty marinade are air-fried to perfection!
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Margarita Grilled Chicken Chilis
If you’re familiar with and you’re a fan of this popular restaurant dish, then you are going to love this copycat recipe! However, I actually think it tastes better than the restaurant version!
Every time we go to Chili’s, Brian orders the Margarita Chicken with Black Beans and Mexican Rice. Every time. As much as we love to eat out, I also love to save money when I know I can make the same thing better at home!
I am a huge fan of air fryer recipes. I love how easy an air fryer makes it to prepare so many of our favorite dishes – including this one! We also eat many chicken recipes in the LBGC house, so I love finding new ways to cook our favorite protein!
Chicken breasts are marinated in a zesty, citrusy marinade before being air-fried to juicy, tender perfection for this recipe. If you are not a fan of the alcohol, you can totally omit it without losing any great flavors!
What goes with Margarita Chicken
If you’re looking for the most authentic copycat to Chili’s, then you’re going to want to serve this with Mexican Rice and Black Beans. But don’t limit yourself to just those options! My Cilantro Lime Rice is another tasty side dish idea!
Here are a few more ideas you may like:
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- Slow Cooker Refried Beans
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Grilled Corn
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa
- Oven-Roasted Asparagus
- Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Muffins
- Mexican Bean Salad
- Cuban Black Beans and Rice
- Taco Rice Recipe
Margarita Chicken FAQs
Allow any leftover chicken to cool before transferring it to a zip-top bag or airtight container. Refrigerate and use any leftovers within 2-3 days.
— For safety, use a thermometer to ensure the chicken has been reheated to 165°F no matter which method you choose .
AIR FRYER: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Arrange chicken in a single layer and cook for 4-8 minutes, flipping it once to ensure even cooking, or until heated all the way through.
MICROWAVE: Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and add a splash of water. Cover with a microwaveable plate cover or microwave-safe plastic wrap and heat on full power for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes.
OVEN: Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for up to 15 minutes. Check the internal temperature to avoid overcooking.
STOVETOP: Slice or shred the meat. Place the meat in a skillet with a splash of water. Heat over medium-high heat until the chicken reaches 165°F.
You sure can!
TO BAKE: Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer. Bake in a 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
TO GRILL: Prepare a grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Grill the chicken until tender and juices run clear, approximately 7 minutes per side.
Recipe Tips
- Cook times will vary on the size of the chicken breasts. I make this recipe with larger breasts, so smaller ones will take less time to cook. Or, pound out the chicken to an even thickness – giving you more even cooking.
- This recipe for Air Fryer Margarita Chicken is very flavorful, and it makes the chicken very tender. However, do not marinate for longer than 4 hours, or the chicken may start to cook on the edges from the acid in the marinade.
- If you don’t wish to use tequila, you can leave it out entirely—no need to substitute anything in its place.
- For a more authentic copycat version of the Chili’s recipe, top your cooked chicken with freshly made Pico de Gallo, tortilla strips, and a lime wedge. Don’t forget to serve it with Mexican Rice and Black Beans!
- This recipe also makes for some really great tacos! Serve the chicken chopped or shredded with tortillas and all of your favorite taco toppings! Or try it in burrito bowls!
Other recipes you may enjoy
Air Fryer Margarita Chicken
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Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup margarita mix
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 tablespoons orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon tequila, optional
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- In a gallon-sized zipper bag, combine the margarita mix, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, honey, tequila, garlic, salt, and pepper. Close the bag and massage the ingredients together to mix. Add the chicken. Close the bag again and squeeze as much of the air out you can. Massage the marinade into the chicken. Place the bag of chicken in the fridge for at least 2 hours, up to 4 hours.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place the chicken breasts not touching into the air fryer. Discard any remaining marinade.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, turn the chicken over, and air fry an additional 8 minutes. The chicken is cooked when an internal temperature reaches 165°F. If that temperature is not reached, place it in for another minute or two and check again.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Cook times will vary on the size of the chicken breasts. I make this recipe with larger breasts, so smaller ones will take less time to cook. Or, pound out the chicken to an even thickness – giving you more even cooking.
- This recipe for Air Fryer Margarita Chicken is very flavorful, and it makes the chicken very tender. However, do not marinate for longer than 4 hours, or the chicken may start to cook on the edges from the acid in the marinade.
- If you don’t wish to use tequila, you can leave it out entirely—no need to substitute anything in its place.
- For a more authentic copycat version of the Chili’s recipe, top your cooked chicken with freshly made Pico de Gallo, tortilla strips, and a lime wedge. Don’t forget to serve it with Mexican Rice and Black Beans!
- This recipe also makes for some really great tacos! Serve the chicken chopped or shredded with tortillas and all of your favorite taco toppings! Or try it in burrito bowls!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m obsessed with using my air fryer so I’m always looking for new simple delicious recipes & this one did not disappoint! It was so easy to make & packed with so many flavours. Thanks for this, its a keeper!
This sounds so simple to make and delicious. I can’t wait to try it!