Air Fryer Margarita Chicken

4.50 from 10 votes

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!

Prep Time5

Cook Time16

Marinating Time2

Total Time2 21

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Servings: servings

Author: Jamie Sherman

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

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!

Nutrition