This is the kind of recipe you make once—and suddenly it becomes your whole summer grilling routine. With just 3 simple ingredients, this Mexican grilled chicken marinade turns basic chicken breasts into something juicy, smoky, and packed with bold flavor.
See how to make this easy Mexican grilled chicken marinade with just 3 ingredients…
WHY YOU’LL LOVE MY MEXICAN GRILLED CHICKEN MARINADE HACK
All you need is chicken fajita seasoning and a can of green enchilada sauce to create a quick overnight marinade that does all the work for you.
The grill brings it home with that slightly charred, fajita-style finish that tastes like it came from your favorite Mexican restaurant—without any of the effort.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1.5 tbsp chicken fajita seasoning (you can substitute taco seasoning or guacamole seasoning!)
- 14 oz green enchilada sauce (1 can)
- 1 tsp olive oil (for grill grates)
HOW TO MAKE MEXICAN GRILLED CHICKEN MARINADE WITH 3 INGREDIENTS
Here’s the step-by-step recipe…
(scroll to the bottom of the page for a printable recipe)
Step 7 – Slice and serve once rested—the chicken will be juicy, tender, and full of smoky Mexican flavor.
De-licious!
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST GRILLED CHICKEN WITH THIS 3 INGREDIENT MARINADE
- Marinate overnight for max flavor because the green enchilada sauce needs time to fully tenderize the chicken and infuse flavor.
- Don’t overcook the chicken, instead pull it at 165°F internal temp and let it rest so it stays juicy.
- Use even-thickness chicken breasts so everything cooks evenly on the grill.
Also try this grilled chicken mango salad...
WHAT TO SERVE WITH MEXICAN GRILLED CHICKEN
- Salad: Healthy Greek Pasta Salad with Homemade Greek Dressing
- Side: Make-Ahead Corn Salsa Dip
- Dessert: Chocolate Banana Bread
Next, try this grilled ribeye steak recipe…
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I’d love to know how your version turned out! Drop a rating and leave a comment below to help the Sip Bite Go community. And if you snapped any photos, tag me on Instagram—I love sharing reader pics in my Stories!
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3 Ingredient Mexican Grilled Chicken Marinade
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1.5 tbsp chicken fajita seasoning
- 14 oz green enchilada sauce 1 can
- 1 tsp olive oil for grill grates
Instructions
- Ideally, you’ll marinade the chicken the day before grilling. Start by seasoning the chicken generously on all sides with chicken fajita seasoning until fully covered.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl or dish and pour one full can of green enchilada sauce over the top. Turn to coat well so the chicken is fully submerged in the sauce. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 2 hours) to marinate.
- When ready to cook, preheat your grill to high heat, about 500°F. To prevent sticking, lightly spray or brush a thin layer of oil onto grill grates, then preheat the grill as usual until fully hot.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it directly onto the hot grill grates over the flame. Close the lid to help it cook evenly and lock in juices.
- Grill times will vary depending on thickness between 6-10 minutes per side. For the best grill marks, rotate the chicken halfway through cooking on each side if desired. For large chicken breasts, I rotate them on the grill (on a 90 degree angle, same side down) at about 5 minutes into the grill time, and flip them over at the 10 minute mark.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from the grill and let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute.
- Slice and serve once rested—the chicken will be juicy, tender, and full of smoky Mexican flavor.
Notes
- Marinate overnight for max flavor because the green enchilada sauce needs time to fully tenderize the chicken and infuse flavor.
- Don’t overcook the chicken, instead pull it at 165°F internal temp and let it rest so it stays juicy.
- Use even-thickness chicken breasts so everything cooks evenly on the grill.
- Thin/small breasts: 4 to 6 minutes per side
- Medium breasts: 6 to 8 minutes per side
- Large breasts: 8 to 10 minutes per side
Nutrition
Pro tip: One of my go-to tricks for perfectly cooked food every time is using the right BBQ meat thermometers.
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