4 simple ingredients, incredible flavor! Creating mouthwatering BBQ chicken is easy with this chicken marinade, featuring Frank’s RedHot sauce, zesty lime, fragrant garlic, and olive oil. For a super simple way to add amazing flavor, look no further than this Easy Spicy Lime Garlic Chicken Marinade, a must-try recipe!
Easy Spicy Lime Garlic Chicken Marinade (4 Ingredients)
Get ready for another tried-and-true favorite, shared years ago by a friend from Maryland. You might remember her as the source of that amazing Chocolate Crazy Cake recipe – so trust me, this one’s a keeper! This easy, spicy lime garlic chicken marinade has become a staple in my kitchen, and my family loved it so much they asked for the chicken two days in a row! It makes the chicken truly irresistible, offering a tangy and delicious flavor that isn’t overly spicy. With just 4 ingredients, it has all the flavor you need without the fuss. This spicy lime and garlic combo is the perfect easy chicken marinade!
Original Post Date, May 21, 2013. Post updated with a new recipe card, April 27, 2025.
The original recipe was nameless, so I’ve dubbed it ‘Kickin’ Chicken Marinade.’ With just four fantastic ingredients, this Easy Spicy Lime Garlic Chicken Marinade is unbelievably simple to whisk together. If you’re a fan of Buffalo-style wings, chicken, and dip, prepare to fall in love with this recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Marinating the chicken for 4 hours delivers the best results. However, if you’re pressed for time, aim for at least 30 minutes.
While it has a noticeable kick from the Frank’s RedHot sauce, it’s generally not too hot for most people.
Yes. Start with about 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove, be sure to adjust to your taste. Fresh is still recommended for the best flavor.
While bottled lime juice will work, the flavor won’t be quite as vibrant as freshly squeezed. If possible, go for fresh!
Yes! For food safety, always marinate chicken in the refrigerator.
For food safety reasons, always discard any marinade that the raw chicken was in. Do not reuse marinade that has touched raw chicken. For basting, reserve some before marinating or make a fresh batch.
For great tips, check out How To Grill Marinated Chicken at AllRecipes.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE EASY SPICY LIME GARLIC CHICKEN MARINADE (Full Recipe at Bottom of Post in Recipe Card)
- Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce (I only use Frank’s – not sponsored, just a fan)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh Lime juice – fresh is best, but bottled works too.
- Garlic – minced fresh cloves are best, but you can use garlic powder in a pinch.
When this recipe was shared with me, precise measurements weren’t provided. Instead, I was instructed to use ‘a lot’ of Frank’s RedHot, ‘some’ olive oil, ‘a good amount’ of lime juice, and ‘a little’ garlic – either cloves or powder. Although the amounts are flexible, in the recipe card below, I share my recommended measurements for this Easy Spicy Lime Garlic Chicken Marinade, ensuring it comes together deliciously with just 4 ingredients. Happy grilling!
How to Make Easy Spicy Lime Garlic Chicken Marinade
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the Frank’s RedHot sauce, olive oil, fresh lime juice, and garlic. Place the chicken in a bowl or Ziploc bag, then pour the marinade over the top, ensuring the chicken is fully coated. Marinate for four hours in the refrigerator. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill. For an extra burst of flavor, serve the grilled chicken with freshly squeezed lime juice. I hope you and your family enjoy this flavorful Easy Spicy Lime Garlic Chicken as much as mine does!
PINNABLE IMAGE FOR SPICY LIME CHICKEN MARINADE
Want More Easy Chicken Recipes Like This One?
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a sponsored post, I have no affiliation with any of the products shared in this recipe.
Easy Spicy Lime Garlic Chicken Marinade – Just 4 Ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs chicken (breast, thighs, drumsticks, wings, bone-in or boneless)
MARINADE
- 1 cup Frank's RedHot Original
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup lime juice (fresh is best, but bottle works too)
- 2 cloves garlic, mined or pressed (you can use garlic powder)
Garnish
- 1-2 fresh limes for serving with chicken cut into slices/wedges
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, mix Frank's RedHot, olive oil, lime juice, and garlic.
- Place chicken in a bowl or Ziploc bag and pour marinade over top, making sure the chicken is coated in the marinade.
- The chicken is great served with fresh lime juice squeezed on top. Enjoy!
Jean Morales
Has anyone used this to bake chicken or cook on the stove? I don’t have s grill but would love to try this marinade.
Mary Neumann
Hello Jean, You could start out by cooking the chicken in a skillet on the stove, to get a good sear, then pop it in the oven to finish cooking through – ready at 165 degrees f.
Karen C
I have been making this recipe for a few years now and have never commented. This is a family favorite! Thank you so much for sharing!
Eva
My family loves this marinade. I like to add a Tbsp or two of honey to it, it helps balance out the citrus and the spice. We dip our chicken in bleu cheese dressing.
stepc
I hardly ever comment on a recipe, but I just had to.. This was delicious. I made tacos with homemade ranch, blue cheese, and a side of cilantro lime rice. Easy recipe to do any day of the week and it seems like you spent hours in the kitchen.. Thank you for all the yumminess of this recipe.
plasterer bristol
Hmm these look delicious, thanks for posting up this recipe, looks quite simple to make.
Simon
Anonymous
This was a great recipe. It had a buffalo chicken flavor, without all the thick sauce. We served it with wild rice. It is a new favorite!
Rachael
I'm guilty of just throwing unspecified amounts of ingredients into dishes I make often too, but it sure is helpful when trying a new recipe to have amounts for guidance. This sounds delicious! Glad I found this on pinterest. Pinning it so I can try this later!
Anonymous
I know this is an old post but maybe I can get a response 😉
I'm not a fan of lime juice. Can I omit that? I also thought about maybe adding ranch dressing in with the Frank's …like a buffalo chicken dip? Hmmm, thoughts?
debcom
wondering if i could stick it all in a bag and freeze it for a future easy premarinated meal?
Anonymous
This is my families New favorite marinade I've cooked chicken, shrimp and even london broil using this marinade they've loved them all. Thanks for the recipe. The simplicity is brilliant!
Anonymous
Made this abd marinaded for less than an he and it was still delicious. Not too spicy… Just enough to give it a kick. Made extra marinade for shrimp and delicious…it came out tasting spicier than the chicken.