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Home » Recipes » Grilling

Quick Chicken Fajita Marinade

By Laura Fuentes Updated Jul 2, 2025

5 from 53 votes

Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

Get ready to transform plain chicken in just 20 minutes with this chicken fajita marinade. It's quick, bold, and packs all the restaurant-style flavors you love.

With this easy chicken fajita marinade, you’ll have juicy, flavor-packed chicken on the table faster than going out to eat.

zip bag of chicken marinating for fajitas

Marinade for Chicken Fajitas

When I don’t know what to make for dinner but I have chicken, this chicken fajita marinade is my go-to. In just 20 minutes, it infuses the chicken with all the flavor you need for a dinnertime win.

While the chicken sizzles, I sip on my best margarita recipe and dip chips into some spicy guacamole. When the chicken is ready, I wrap it all up in warm tortillas and turn it into easy chicken fajita tacos.  

bowl of fajita marinade with a whisk

How Long to Marinate Chicken for Fajitas

20 to 30 minutes is long enough to infuse the chicken with all the flavors in the marinade, but no more than 8 hours. At that point, the acid in the lime juice begins to break down the proteins and change the texture of the chicken.

Tips for the Most Flavorful Marinade

  1. Cut whole breasts or thighs into fajita strips or smaller pieces before marinating. The more the chicken is exposed to the marinade, the more flavorful.
  2. Prep the marinade ahead, but avoid over-marinating. If you want to save time, mix the marinade a day ahead, but remember that the chicken only needs 20 minutes.
  3. Fresh lime juice makes a big difference in the flavor and the tenderizing of the protein.
  4. Don’t skip the oil. It helps the spices and herbs get into the meat. You’ll discard the marinade anyway.
  5. Use a marinade bag or smaller dish so the marinade covers as much of the chicken as possible.
large bowl of chicken strips being marinated for fajitas

Variations

  • Fresh herbs: chop up some fresh cilantro, lemon thyme, or fresh oregano instead of the dried in the recipe.
  • Fresh aromatics: swap the garlic powder for 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated.
  • Use orange juice instead of lime. This citrus pairs great with all the spices.
  • Make it spicier by adding 1 tablespoon of minced chipotle peppers in adobo, ½ teaspoon of red chili flakes, or by chopping up ½ of a jalapeño.
chicken fajitas in a large skillet

Check out this post for directions on cooking chicken fajitas.

Quick Chicken Fajita Marinade

large skillet of chicken fajitas
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 3 minutes mins
Marinating time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 23 minutes mins
Get ready to transform plain chicken in just 20 minutes with this chicken fajita marinade. It's quick, bold, and packs all the restaurant-style flavors you love.
5 from 53 votes
Print Pin

Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

For 1.5lbs to 2lbs chicken:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • 2 pounds chicken breasts, or thighs

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl or in a zip bag, combine the olive oil with lime juice, salt, oregano, cumin,  garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes. 
  • Add the chicken to the marinade bowl or zip bag, toss to coat all the pieces with the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap or zip the bag closed and refrigerate it for 20 minutes to marinate.
  • Once it's ready, remove the chicken from the bag onto your skillet and cook chicken according to the recipe. Discard the marinade left in the bag.

Notes

The nutritional data below is for the full recipe using 2 lbs of chicken breasts. Please note that you’ll be discarding the marinade before cooking.
  • Fresh herbs: chop up some fresh cilantro, lemon thyme, or fresh oregano instead of the dried in the recipe.
  • Fresh aromatics: swap the garlic powder for 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated.
  • Use orange juice instead of lime. This citrus pairs great with all the spices.
  • Make it spicier by adding 1 tablespoon of minced chipotle peppers in adobo, ½ teaspoon of red chili flakes, or by chopping up ½ of a jalapeño.

Equipment

the taco tuesday cookbook
The Taco Tuesday Cookbook
Marinade Bags
two marinating tray
marinade tray

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 567mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.03g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

More Grilling

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    Grilled Balsamic Chicken
  • three grilled salmon kabobs on a plate
    Grilled Salmon Kabobs
  • three chicken and vegetable kabobs on a plate
    Chicken Kabob Marinade
  • a bowl of marinade for beef kabobs
    Beef Kabob Marinade

Comments

    5 from 53 votes (36 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Carleigh says

    June 01, 2025 at 1:03 pm

    5 stars
    This chicken fajita marinade was so good I couldn’t believe I made it! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Lucille says

    May 06, 2025 at 2:53 pm

    5 stars
    Chicken kabobs are my favorites and this marinade make them even tastier! Amazing. 100% recommended.

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    March 15, 2025 at 10:19 am

    5 stars
    This marinade was super flavorful!

    Reply
  4. Tara says

    March 12, 2025 at 11:02 am

    5 stars
    This was a fantastic marinade.

    Reply
  5. Carla says

    February 27, 2025 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe!

    Reply
  6. Joanne says

    May 21, 2024 at 7:37 am

    5 stars
    It is really easy and quick, also delicious! My family loved it! Thank you!

    Reply
  7. April says

    May 03, 2024 at 4:39 pm

    5 stars
    Used this marinade on my fajitas last night and it turned out sooo good!!! 10/10!

    Reply
  8. Jenn says

    May 01, 2024 at 5:35 pm

    5 stars
    This marinade made our chicken fajitas so good!

    Reply
  9. Kaitlyn C. says

    May 01, 2024 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    Came out really good on our last Taco Tuesday. Now that I know it’s good, I’m definitely gonna try it with steak tacos. Yum!

    Reply
  10. Kate says

    May 01, 2024 at 9:44 am

    5 stars
    Amazing chicken fajita marinade!! Simple, quick, and delicious. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Katie says

    March 31, 2024 at 3:15 pm

    5 stars
    I first saved this recipe almost a year ago and have used it many times since. I have made it for small parties, weekly meals, family gatherings, etc. Everyone is always impressed by it and enjoys it, and I’ve had multiple folks ask for the recipe. It is so easy to make which makes it an extra win. Thanks for creating and sharing this recipe.

    Reply
  12. Helen says

    May 02, 2023 at 8:56 am

    5 stars
    SO goood and quick! Thanks

    Reply
  13. Jessica Graham says

    April 22, 2023 at 4:00 pm

    5 stars
    Hi! I love this recipe and use it at least once a week…so should have it memorized. When I was making it today, I noticed it was different. Can you please send me the recipe prior to the revision? I thought it was absolutely perfect prior to the changes. Family favorite! Thank you so much

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      April 24, 2023 at 1:29 pm

      Hi Jessica,

      So glad you enjoyed the recpe that much! The ingredients are the same, we re-wrote the instructions for clarity. We also recently updated the design of our recipe card so it looks different too. Happy Fajita making!

      Reply
  14. CHARLOTTE says

    August 30, 2022 at 4:32 pm

    5 stars
    This was quick and the fajitas turned out perfect!

    Reply
  15. Melissa says

    July 26, 2022 at 12:16 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve never left reviews before-but this was SO good! Kids are it up. It’ll be going in the meal rotation.

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      July 27, 2022 at 11:32 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the chicken fajita marinade! Thank you for sharing that you and your family enjoyed it.

      Reply
      • Lore says

        May 12, 2023 at 10:59 am

        5 stars
        I have made this recipe mamy times. Can I use the same marinade for steak fajitas?

        Reply
        • Laura Fuentes says

          May 24, 2023 at 3:50 pm

          You sure can!!

          Reply
  16. Donna Perry says

    January 22, 2022 at 9:33 am

    5 stars
    This marinade was fabulous! True to the word…it only took 20 minutes!

    Reply

Hi! I'm Laura.
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, mom of three, and the woman behind the world’s best pancakes—here to help you ditch the mealtime drama with recipes your family will actually eat.

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