With the bold flavors of chile and lime, this gluten free Tajin Chicken has a vibrant taste you won't forget! You will never believe how easy it to make perfect grilled chicken tenderloins. This recipe is also low carb, keto, grain-free, paleo, THM, and whole30.
Last summer was the first time we tried Tajin seasoning and we totally fell in love with it. Good friends of ours brought Mexican street corn to a barbecue and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever tasted. From the sweet grilled corn to the crema and cojita cheese and finally to a generous sprinkling of Tajin seasoning we were hooked.
I do try to eat low carb most of the time so we decided the try that chile-lime seasoning on chicken instead. This tajin chicken recipe was just as good! Most of the time we keep it simple and just use the seasoning on chicken breasts or chicken tenders but if you want to also add some Mexican crema and cojita cheese go for it! You will not be disappointed.
What is Tajin?
Tajin is a seasoning blend with mild chiles, lime, and salt. With such simple ingredients, it is perfect for just about any diet plan or way of eating. It is excellent on vegetables, mixed into guacamole, and even sprinkled onto pineapple and other fruits.
Just a note that the keyword here is mild chiles. Most people think anything with chiles has to be spicy. This is not the case. You get wonderful flavors without the heat.
If you want to make your own blend try this recipe.
How to Make Tajin Chicken
You won't believe how easy this recipe is. Just two ingredients to the best chicken you've ever tasted!
Step One: This first step is just to liberally coat the chicken with the seasoning blend. I use one tablespoon per pound of chicken.
You can use more or less depending on your preferences but remember that this blend does contain salt. It is better to slightly under-season it and then add more Tajin later on instead of making it too salty.
Step Two: The next step is to simply cook your tajín chicken until it is 160 degrees. You can saute, bake, grill, cook it in an Instant Pot, or even air fry the chicken tenderloins. The great flavor of the chile lime chicken will shine through no matter which cooking method you choose.
How do I know when grilled chicken is done?
The easiest way to know if the grilled chicken is fully cooked is to use an instead read meat thermometer. This takes the guesswork out of it entirely. Another way to tell is to cut a piece of chicken in half and see if the juice runs clear. If the juice is still pink the chicken is not done. Cooked chicken will also feel firmer to the touch than raw chicken.
Tips for Grilling Chicken Tenderloins
My method for grilling chicken is to heat the grill to very hot before adding it. After you add the chicken turn the heat to medium and close the grill. Cook it for 3 minutes and then flip it. By heating the grill to very hot before moving the chili lime chicken around you allow a crust to form and the chicken to get nice looking grill lines.
Chicken tenderloins cook quickly and only need about 6-7 minutes on a hot grill. They are also more forgiving than chicken breasts and don't dry out as fast if you forget about them.
Can I use Chicken Thighs?
Of course! The cooking times I have listed for grilled chicken won't apply but you are welcome to cook using your favorite method for chicken thighs. We prefer chicken thighs in the Instant Pot. I just cook them on manual high pressure for 15 minutes and let the pressure release naturally. With this method, tajin chicken thighs come out perfect every time.
For another great chicken entree, try this blackstone chicken and this smoked chicken breast recipe.
What to Serve with Tajin Chicken
This Mexican grilled chicken tenderloin recipe pairs well with a simple salad or other grilled vegetables like grilled broccoli. Or use this as a base for tajin chicken tacos! If you go for tacos make a spicy skinny margarita to serve along with them.
The yellow squash you see was simply drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and then grilled on medium heat for about 4 minutes per side until it was tender.
I also made a quick corn salsa with just thawed frozen corn, diced tomato, chopped onion, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, a drizzle of avocado oil, and salt. It was perfect with this on top of some lettuce with a bit of ranch dressing.
For another flavorful option try our Greek Salad with Beef Kabobs.
Instructions
- Preheat grill to high.
- Coat the chicken evenly with the seasoning.
- Place the chicken tenderloins on the hot grill. Reduce heat to medium. Grill for 3 minutes and then flip.
- Grill the second side for 3 minutes.
- At this point, the chicken should be cooked through. It really depends on the size of the chicken tenderloins. If needed cook for an additional minute or two until the internal temperature reaches 160.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Need a smoked main course? Try Traeger Turkey or Smoked Beef Tenderloin.
Renee Goerger
Beautiful recipe, and so easy. Thanks for making my life tastier...and simpler!
Jess
This is my favorite flavoring for chicken. I love this recipe! Tajin has been my favorite spice since 2013