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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Tajin Chicken

    Published: Nov 8, 2022 by Kate

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Plate of tajin chicken and list of ingredients.
    Plate of chicken and rice, with text: 3 Ingredient Lime and Chili Tajin Chicken.

    In this tasty Tajin Chicken recipe, chicken breasts are coated with Tajin lime and chili seasoning and pan-fried for a spicy, citrus-flavored chicken that's great for rice, fajitas, or sides!

    Plate with rice and tajin chicken with a fork taking a bite.
    Tajin Chicken.

    You're going to love this flavorful 3-ingredient Tajin Chicken recipe! It's a firm family favourite at my house. Everyone loves eating it and it's soooo easy to make!

    In this recipe, chicken breasts are coated Tajin lime and chili seasoning and pan-fried in a skillet for a spicy, citrus-flavored chicken that's great for rice, fajitas, or to serve with your favorite sides!

    Try it with Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice, a dish of Taco Bell Chipotle Sauce, and a side of Cajun Chicken Wings.

    Jump to:
    • What is Tajin?
    • Why Make This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Cook's Tips
    • Variations
    • Storage & Freezing
    • Food Safety Tips
    • FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What is Tajin?

    Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of Tajin! Tajin is a Mexican condiment that's made with chili peppers, lime, and salt. It's often used to season fruits and vegetables, but it also makes a great seasoning for chicken!

    It adds a perfect balance of spice, acidity, and salty flavor. The chicken comes out juicy and packed with flavor!

    Chicken breast with Tajin can be served in a variety of different ways. It's great on its own, served with rice and beans, or used in chicken tacos or fajitas. It's also a great chicken to meal prep because it reheats well and can be used in multiple dishes.

    This Tajin Chicken recipe is perfect for anyone who's looking for an easy and delicious chicken dish! And, it can be easily tailored to your spice preference by adjusting the amount of Tajin used.

    Close up of a Tajin spiced chicken breast.

    Why Make This Recipe

    • The 3-ingredient list is short and sweet. Chicken, Tajin, and cooking oil is all you need!
    • It can easily be cooked in a skillet in just 15 minutes or less.
    • Tajin chicken can be used in various dishes or served with many sides.
    • A great protein to use for meal prep as it can be enjoyed hot or cold.
    Ingredients on a table.

    Ingredients

    • Chicken Breast - Boneless skinless chicken breast is best for this recipe as the Tajin does a great job of tenderizing and marinating the surface of the meat.
    • Tajin - You can find Tajin at most grocery stores or international markets in various blends.
    • Cooking Oil - Used to sear the chicken breast in the pan giving it a layer of golden brown crust on the outside.

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.

    Instructions

    Wondering how to make this Tajin Chicken recipe? It's easy!

    Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

    Marinating chicken breasts.

    Marinate the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with a paper towel. Add them to a bowl and sprinkle with Tajin and one tablespoon of oil. Toss to coat fully. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

    Pan frying chicken breasts.

    Cook the chicken: Remove the chicken from the fridge. Heat the rest of the cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.

    Flipped pan fried tajin chicken.

    Rest and serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite dishes. Enjoy!

    Cooked chicken on a plate.

    Cook's Tips

    Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes is important! It allows the Tajin to fully tenderize the surface of the chicken and infuse it with flavor. But even if you don't have time and need to skip the marinating, you'll still have a tasty chicken dish.

    For best results, let the chicken rest outside of the fridge for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This will help keep the meat tender.

    The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken breast. Be sure to cook until the internal temperature of the chicken breast reaches 165F.

    If you're not a fan of spice, you can reduce the amount of Tajin used in this recipe. Just start with 1 teaspoon and add more to taste.

    Chicken safety: Wash hands, surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after handling raw chicken. Before serving, ensure the chicken is piping hot and thoroughly cooked, juices run clear and no pink color remains.

    Variations

    There are many different types of Tajin on the market. Feel free to use your favorite blend including Tajin Clasico, Tajin Limon, or Tajin Picante.

    For a more flavorful chicken, try adding other spices to the marinade such as cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, or garlic powder.

    Try this recipe on other types of protein including shrimp, fish, or pork. For a vegetarian protein, use tofu or tempeh.

    Storage & Freezing

    Once cooled, leftover Tajin chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    The best way to reheat this chicken is in a skillet over medium heat. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be careful not to overcook it as this will dry out the meat.

    This recipe can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Add the cooled chicken to a freezer bag or container and store in the freezer.When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as desired.

    Wooden table with a plate of Tajin chicken and rice with limes.

    Food Safety Tips

    • Before cooking, wash your hands and countertops.
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that has touched raw meat.
    • Always wash your hands after touching raw meat.
    • Never leave cooking food unattended.
    • Keep those pot/pan handles turned in away from the front of the stove.
    • When cooking at high temperatures, use oils with a high smoking point, to avoid harmful compounds.
    • Ensure you have good ventilation when cooking on gas.
    • Put foods in the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking. Reduce this to within 1 hour if it is 90 degrees or hotter outside.
    • Safely thaw food in the fridge, under cold running water, or in the microwave.
    • To ensure food is cooked through, it's best to use a food thermometer. Be aware that you can’t always tell by looking.

    Cook to safe temperatures:

    • Beef, Pork, Lamb: 145 °F
    • Fish: 145 °F
    • Ground Beef, Ground Pork, Ground Lamb: 160 °F
    • Turkey, Chicken, Duck: 165 °F

    FAQs

    Can I use chicken thighs for this recipe?

    Yes, you can use chicken thighs or chicken tenders for this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as chicken thighs will take a few minutes longer to cook through.

    Can I bake this chicken instead of pan-frying it?

    Yes, you can bake the chicken in an oven-safe baking dish or sheet pan at 425F for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

    What if I can't find Tajin?

    If you can't find Tajin, you can use another chili seasoning blend or make your own. To make your own, mix together 1 teaspoon each of chili powder, salt, sugar, and lime juice. This will give you a similar flavor to Tajin.

    📖 Recipe

    Plate with rice and tajin chicken with a fork taking a bite.

    Tajin Chicken

    In this Tajin Chicken recipe, chicken breasts are coated with Tajin lime and chili seasoning and pan-fried for an easy spicy, citrus chicken!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Keyword: chicken seasoned with tajin, tajin chicken, tajin chicken breast
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 256kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Bowl
    • Skillet

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ pounds Chicken Breasts boneless and skinless
    • 1 ½ tablespoons Tajin chili lime seasoning
    • 2 tablespoons oil divided

    Instructions

    • Add the chicken breasts to a bowl, sprinkle with the Tajin and 1 tablespoon of the oil, and toss to coat. You can cook the chicken right away, or cover the bowl, refrigerate and let it marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.
    • Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over a medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden and the chicken is cooked through. The time will depend on the thickness of your chicken.
    • If necessary, cook for a few minutes so the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
    • Your Tajin Chicken can be served with side dishes, over rice, or chopped and used in fajitas.
    Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

    Notes

    Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes is important! It allows the Tajin to fully tenderize the surface of the chicken and infuse it with flavor. But even if you don't have time and need to skip the marinating, you'll still have a tasty chicken dish.
    For best results, let the chicken rest outside of the fridge for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This will help keep the meat tender.
    The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken breast. Be sure to cook until the internal temperature of the chicken breast reaches 165F.
    If you're not a fan of spice, you can reduce the amount of Tajin used in this recipe. Just start with 1 teaspoon and add more to taste.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 256kcal | Protein: 36g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 197mg | Potassium: 629mg | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Sweet Chili Chicken
    • Crispy Deep Fried Chicken Legs
    • Buffalo Chicken Bites
    • Crispy Battered Fried Wings

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Savita

      November 09, 2022 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      The chicken looks soo good, it fits soo well into my weeknight dinner cook list.

      Reply
    2. Beth

      November 09, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so good. I love Mexican food, so it's amazing to me that I've never had this before.

      Reply
    3. Holley

      November 09, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      This chicken is so juicy and flavorful! Great recipe!

      Reply
    4. Beth

      November 20, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      I must indeed be living under a rock because I've never heard of it. I went to a local Mexican store and found some. It's perfect with this chicken! Yum

      Reply
    5. Mandy

      November 27, 2022 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      I love tajin, so was so excited to try it on chicken. It was soooo good!

      Reply
    6. Aimee Mars

      November 29, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      5 stars
      What an easy chicken dinner that everyone in my family absolutely loved! I'm adding this recipe to next weeks meal plan too.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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