Copycat Chili's Margarita Grilled Chicken Recipe - The Food Hussy (2024)

Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken packs spicy, sweet and tangy flavors in each bite. With fresh ingredients and an easy prep, there is no excuse not to try it for dinner tonight.

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Why You’ll Love This Copycat Recipe

This Margarita Grilled Chicken is one of my favorite dishes from Chili’s restaurant! Lime-infused grilled chicken served on top of Spanish rice and black beans – topped with fresh-made pico de gallo! Plus – the pico took three minutes to make!

Table Of Contents

What’s in Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken?

The ingredients for this easy copycat recipe are super simple – all you need is:

• Chicken breast tenders
• Margarita Mix – any brand of ready-made will do
• Kosher Salt
• Tequila (optional) – I did not use this as I’m not much of a drinker

I have other recipes for Spanish Rice (or this Cheesy Mexican Rice) and Chipotle’s Black Beans that I used for the base of the dish.

This dish is also topped with fresh pico de gallo – which is like a chunky version of salsa. Here’s what you need to make that:

• Tomato
• Onion
• Jalapeno
• Lime
• Cilantro
• Salt

How to make Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken

I love how easy this delicious dinner is to make – marinating your chicken is the most time-consuming step! Here’s what you do:

• In a large bowl, pour margarita mix in bowl and add chicken tenders and salt. Stir tenders in mix to coat. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours. (Don’t marinate any longer or it breaks down the chicken too much!)
• While chicken is marinating, make your Pico de Gallo:
  • In a bowl, mix together tomato, onion, jalapeno, salt, cilantro and lime juice
  • Stir pico. Cover bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Prepare your beans & rice about 20-30 minutes before you want to eat. The chicken takes less than 10 minutes to cook.
• After marinating, turn grill pan to medium heat and spray skillet heavily with non-stick cooking spray (or sprinkle with olive oil)
• When skillet is hot, drain chicken from marinade and add half chicken tenders to grill pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Turn on your exhaust fan – trust me.
• Reduce heat to medium low and cook rest of chicken tenders.
• When chicken is done, prepare your bowls. Place the spanish rice in the middle of the bowl. Surround the edges with black beans. Place chicken breasts tenders on top like a teepee.
• Top chicken tenders with pico de gallo and tortilla strips. (You could add cheese too!)

Variations:

You can definitely mix it up with this dish – here are a few ideas:

• Seasonings – you dust chicken breasts with taco seasoning – or individual spices like garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder – they’re all great for flavoring chicken
• Sides – serve with avocado & sour cream, a side salad or even potato wedges
• Mix up the leftovers – Add scrambled eggs and you’ve got a great breakfast burrito
• Veggies – You could add sauteed spinach or zucchini as a side
• Marinade – You could make your own citrus marinade with lemon, lime & orange juice – or use a bottled Mojo Criollo!

Tips, Tricks and FAQs

Perfect Side Dish Ideas for Margarita Chicken

This goes great with a serving of your favorite Mexican rice – or these other side dishes:

• Chipotle Black Beans
• Chipotle Corn Salsa
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Love Chili’s Menu? Try these other delicious copycat restaurant recipes:

• Cheesecake Factory Chipotle Chicken Pasta
• Panera BBQ Chicken Salad
• Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• More copycat recipes…

Copycat Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken Recipe

Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken packs spicy, sweet and tangy flavors in each bite. With fresh ingredients and an easy prep, there is no excuse not to try it for dinner tonight.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25lb chickenCalories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 22.1gProtein: 44.6gFat: 1.1gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 834mgPotassium: 136mgFiber: 1.2gSugar: 19.7gCalcium: 12mg