After ordering Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken numerous times, I became fascinated by how a simple marinade could transform an ordinary chicken breast into something so flavorful and satisfying. The bright citrus notes from the margarita mix create a perfect balance of tangy and savory that makes this dish a standout. When I finally recreated it at home, I discovered that this delicious dinner requires just four ingredients and minimal prep time.
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Why you will love Chilis’ marinated and grilled chicken breast
The genius of this dish lies in using margarita mix as a marinade base. The citric acid in the mix naturally tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with bright, complex flavors. Unlike complicated marinades with multiple ingredients, this simple approach lets the natural chicken flavor shine through while adding just enough citrusy enhancement to make it memorable.
What makes the margarita chicken recipe so good?
Once you try this flavorful chicken recipe that Chili’s customers love, you can say goodbye to bland chicken dinners forever. It is a low-fat meal yet so full of bright, citrusy flavors that you won’t feel like you’re eating something healthy. This can be made on an outside grill for even more flavor.
Whether you serve Margarita Chicken with rice and black beans, as they do at Chili’s, or get a bit more creative, such as slicing it to make a Margarita Chicken Burrito, your family will love the taste, and you will love how easy it is to prepare.Â
Why is this the best copycat Chilis Margarita Grilled Chicken recipe?
Few recipes deliver this much flavor with so little prep work. When you make this delicious four-ingredient meal, your family will think you spent all day cooking. The flexibility and simplicity make this version of the recipe the best.
You can find recipes for this dish online with garlic, cumin, taco spices, orange juice, and even cheddar cheese, but who wants to deal with all that? You don’t need to when you use a good quality margarita mix and allow enough marinating time.
Margarita Grilled Chicken Ingredients
For the Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Provide lean protein that absorbs marinades well and cooks evenly
- Salt – Enhances all flavors and helps the marinade penetrate the meat more effectively
- Ground black pepper – Adds subtle heat and aromatic depth to complement the citrus notes
For the Marinade
- Quality margarita mix – The star ingredient that provides citrus complexity, sweetness, and natural tenderizing properties
- Fresh lime – Optional garnish that adds extra citrus brightness and authentic Mexican restaurant appeal
How to Make Margarita Grilled Chicken (Chilis) Recipe
- Pour the margarita mix over the chicken breasts in a shallow dish (or a plastic bag), cover, and refrigerate the container.
- Marinate for 2 hours.
- Remove chicken from marinade and season with salt and pepper. Discard marinade.
- Grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes, then flip the chicken over and grill until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.Â
- Serve the chicken on a bed of cooked Mexican rice or black beans and top with homemade pico de gallo or chopped tomatoes.
Perfect Sides for Margarita Chicken (Chilis Copycat)
Serve this with Chili’s black beans, Mexican rice, and fresh pico de gallo. For a lighter meal, try steaming or air-frying broccoli. You can enjoy this with a Chili’s Presidente Margarita. You can also serve your chicken on top of Spanish rice, salsa, or other beans with this dish.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Chili’s Margarita Chicken
Refrigerator Storage
- Cooked chicken storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator for food safety
- Preparation method: Cool to room temperature quickly before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth
- Portioning strategy: Store individual servings separately for convenient meal prep and reheating
Freezer Storage
- Freezing process: Cool completely, then freeze on a parchment-lined tray before transferring to freezer bags
- Storage duration: Maintain quality for up to 3 months when properly wrapped and stored
- Individual portions: Package single servings to avoid thawing more than needed
Reheating Methods
- Oven method: Reheat at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying
- Microwave option: Heat in 30-second intervals with a damp paper towel covering
- Skillet warming: Heat gently in a covered pan with a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture
Love Chilis? Try these copycat recipes!
Popular easy dinner ideas
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- King Ranch Chicken
- Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Longhorn Parmesan Chicken
- Peruvian Chicken
Check out more easy chicken dinner recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes here on CopyKat.com!
Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken Easy Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup margarita mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Pour the margarita mix over the chicken breasts and marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- When ready to prepare, drain and season the chicken with salt and black pepper. Discard the marinade.
- Heat a grill to 450°F (medium-high).
- Grill the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Turn the chicken halfway through grilling.
- If you do not have a grill, heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. When it reaches temperature, spray the skillet with oil. Cook the chicken breast on each side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 5 to 7 minutes on each side.
- To serve margarita grilled chicken like Chili’s, place the grilled chicken breast on top of black beans, Mexican rice, and tortilla strips, and top with pico de gallo.
Video
Notes
- Do not marinate the chicken for more than 2 hours, the protein will begin to break down.
- Discard all extra marinade. It can not be used again.
- If the chicken breasts are huge, consider slicing horizontally to reduce the portion size.
- Serve chicken with a serving of your favorite Mexican rice or on top of a salad.Â
Nutrition
Chilis Margarita Chicken FAQs
Does Chilis Margarita Chicken Have Alcohol in It?
No. Chili’s Margarita Chicken does not contain alcohol but uses margarita mix as a marinade.
For the best flavor, use a store-bought margarita mix with orange flavoring in the ingredient list. Most brands advertise something like, “Just add tequila” on the label.
How Many Calories Are in a Margarita Chicken from Chili’s?
According to a nutritional menu, the Margarita Grilled Chicken Chilis has 650 calories, with 150 calories coming from fat.
How Many Carbs Are in Chili’s Margarita Chicken?
Based on a nutritional menu, Chili’s version of Margarita Grilled Chicken contains 68 grams of carbs when served with the standard pico de gallo, crunchy tortilla strips, Mexican-style rice, and black beans.
I love this chicken, my husband and I always get this at Chili’s
I keep looking for the rice that they serve with this and other meals at Chili’s. It’s my favorite! I can’t find that recipe anywhere! Sure wish someone would try copy-catting that one! I’ve tried but can’t figure it out. Would appreciate it greatly! Thanks!
I just had this dish today, and this recipe doesn’t seem to describe the Margarita sauce they served with my food. Loved it! Not spicy, a hint of sweet, a rather light taste. Yum! I’ll keep looking for the recipe. I don’t think this is it.
Thanks Janet. This recipe is about 10 or more years old. It can be that this recipe was changed over time. I’ll put this recipe under review. Good luck in your search.
okay, thank you! I found a copycat at another site that pretty much has it right, I think.
Can you share the neeer recipe you found?
How do you make the sauce that goes on top?
Love this dish
All of those who thinks this has no flavor are correct because the recipe is lacking an important ingredient…1/4 cup of tequila in the marinade mix. Try it…it makes a huge difference!
I want to know how to make the black beans and rice that they serve with this dish???? Any help there????
According to the Copycat Cookbook it is prepared as follows: 2 (15.5 oz) cans black beans, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Combine all this in a saucepan and stir well. Let simmer for 20-25 minutes. Makes 8 servings.
Shouldn’t it be Pico De gallo? Piccadillo is a meat dish.
Thanks 😉 Sometimes spell check isn’t always your friend.
do you drain and rinse the blacvk beans or just pour them right out of the can?
I would drain them first.
Right out of the can. to give it the flavor put 1/4 cup salsa in the beans when they’re cooking!