Spring is in the air, which means it’s about time to dust off the BBQs and grill some juicy chicken! Backyard cookouts are some of my favorite times with family and friends, so I thought I would share my simple 3 ingredient tangy marinated chicken.
Aren’t you looking forward to warm evenings, sipping tea on the porch, and watching your kids play in the sprinklers? I sure am! I can hardly wait to shed these jackets and boots. This tangy marinated chicken is so versatile yet flavorful that it can be used in a slew of different recipes.
Quick Prep for Easy Grilling
This 3 ingredient tangy marinated chicken is called that for a reason: all you need is 3 ingredients! That’s pretty manageable, right? And I bet you have them in your cupboard already!
- 3/4 cup lime juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
These simple ingredients come together to create a marinade that’s both zesty and packed with flavor.
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade for your 3 Ingredient Tangy Marinated Chicken
Let’s say you want to grill 4 chicken breasts for dinner. Grab a gallon-sized ziplock bag, pour in all the ingredients, zip it shut, and move all the juices and seasoning around the chicken until it is thoroughly coated. You may need to add more lime juice if your chicken breasts are extra large.
Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. This is an important step because the acid in the lime juice breaks down the outer layer of the chicken, causing it to crisp up when grilling. The crispy outside of the chicken will act as a barrier, keeping all the yummy juices inside. This will result in juicy, tender pieces of meat rather than dry or rubbery chicken. Make sure the chicken comes to room temperature before heading to the grill.
Step 2: Heat Up the Grill
Once the chicken has marinated, warm up your grill on medium to high heat. You’ll want the flames just high enough that they lick the bottom of the meat. Make sure the grill is nice and hot before cooking the chicken. Hearing a steady “shhhhhhhh” sound when the chicken hits the grill is a good indication that the grill is hot enough.
Leave the chicken on one side for a good 10 minutes so the chicken gets decent char marks. Flip to the other side and grill for another 10 minutes. Depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts, you may need to increase or reduce grill time accordingly.
Check these 2 indicators for proper doneness:
- Temperature: Have your meat thermometer handy, and when the chicken reaches 160 degrees, you’ll know it’s done. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting it open because that helps retain moisture.
- Flexibility: The chicken should be firm yet compressible. Can you flex the meaty part of your hand between your thumb and your palm? It should feel firm but still pliable. That’s the “squishy factor” you’re looking for in your chicken.
Properly checking for doneness ensures your 3 ingredient tangy marinated chicken is both safe to eat and perfectly tender every time.
Step 3: Slice and Serve
Once the chicken has rested, slice it against the grain and use it in your favorite recipe! Slicing against the grain means cutting the chicken in the opposite direction the natural fibers run. Slicing the chicken this way will make it easier to chew and not as stringy in your mouth. See this quick tutorial.
Delicious Ways to Enjoy 3 Ingredient Tangy Marinated Chicken
I love to put my 3 ingredient tangy marinated chicken atop a Caesar salad or in my chicken tortilla soup. However, this chicken is so flavorful all on its own that sometimes I just serve it next to oven-roasted brussel sprouts or an apple blue cheese salad. I also prepare large amounts of this tangy chicken and slice it up for healthy lunches throughout the week or throw it in quesadillas for my kids.
