The Quick Answer
Yes, it is perfectly safe and common to marinate chicken in lime juice. The acidity of lime juice helps tenderize the chicken and adds lots of bright, citrusy flavor. Marinating chicken in lime juice for 30 minutes up to overnight will infuse it with lime flavor. Just be sure to store the marinating chicken covered in the refrigerator.
Marinating Chicken in Lime Juice Adds Great Flavor
Marinating chicken in lime juice is a quick and easy way to add lots of bright, fresh flavor. The acidity in the lime juice gently “cooks” the surface proteins in the chicken, making it more tender. The lime juice also allows the flavor to penetrate deeply into the meat.
After as little as 30 minutes in the lime juice marinade, the chicken will pick up the aromatic citrus notes. Marinating overnight results in even deeper lime flavor in the chicken.
The delightful tanginess from the lime juice pairs especially well with warm spices like cumin, chili powder, and cayenne. You can also add garlic, cilantro, honey, or soy sauce to complement the lime.
Grilled lime-marinated chicken is amazing, as the high heat caramelizes the sugars on the surface. But you can also bake, saute, or pan fry limed-marinated chicken with great results.
Lime Juice Quickly Tenderizes the Chicken
In addition to infusing flavor, marinating chicken in acidic lime juice helps make the chicken more tender and juicy. Limes contain citric acid, as well as ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).
These acids break down connective tissues in the muscle fibers on the surface of the chicken. This effect is similar to cooking the chicken, which denatures and breaks down the proteins.
The acids in lime juice work quickly, beginning to tenderize the chicken within 30 minutes. Leaving the chicken to marinate for several hours or overnight allows the acids to penetrate deeper into the meat.
The end result is chicken that is succulent and tender, even before cooking. The lime juice “pre-cooks” the chicken for better texture.
Safety Tips for Marinating Chicken in Lime Juice
Marinating raw chicken in lime juice is safe, as long as proper food safety guidelines are followed:
– Store the chicken marinade in the refrigerator, at 40°F or below. Do not leave chicken marinating on the counter.
– Lime juice is acidic, which helps prevent bacteria growth. But don’t marinate more than 2 days.
– Place the chicken in a shallow dish and pour the lime juice marinade over top. Cover with plastic wrap.
– Discard used marinade after removing the raw chicken. Do not re-use marinade.
– Wash hands, utensils, dishes, and cutting board after working with raw chicken.
– Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to verify doneness.
Try These Lime Chicken Marinade Recipes
To get started marinating chicken in lime juice, try one of these flavorful recipes:
Citrus Marinade
– 1/3 cup lime juice
– 1/3 cup orange juice
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp oregano
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
Spicy Lime Marinade
– 1/4 cup lime juice
– 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp chili powder
– 1 tsp brown sugar
Cilantro Lime Marinade
– 1/3 cup lime juice
– 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
– 1 jalapeño, minced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp honey
– 1 tsp ground coriander
– 1/4 tsp salt
Lime Soy Marinade
– 1/4 cup lime juice
– 2 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tsp minced ginger
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp brown sugar
Tips for Maximum Flavor Infusion
To get the most out of marinating chicken in lime juice:
– Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor
– Cut the chicken into smaller pieces so the marinade can penetrate faster
– Pierce the chicken pieces all over with a fork before marinating
– For even more tender chicken, use an acidic marinade ingredient like yogurt, wine, or vinegar
– Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 24 hours
– Turn the bag or dish occasionally for even marinade contact
– Remove chicken from marinade before cooking for maximum browning
Conclusion
Marinating chicken in lime juice is a quick and easy way to add delicious flavor. The lime juice tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with brightness. Allowing the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes up to a day in the refrigerator results in juicy, tender meat with lots of lime flavor. Combine the lime juice with herbs, spices, garlic, and other ingredients for a full-flavored marinade. Follow proper food safety guidelines when marinating raw chicken in lime juice for a refreshing and safe meal.