One Pan 10-Minute Sticky Mexican Chicken [+Video]

This one-pan sticky Mexican chicken recipe only needs 6 simple ingredients, and you’ll be eating the most flavorful chicken dinner in just 10 minutes! I love the combination of the citrus from the lime, a hint of sweetness from the honey, to counteract the spicy seasoning. It’s a perfectly balanced chicken recipe!

How to Make Mexican Chicken

I love quick and easy chicken recipes! Chicken tends to take over in the quick dinner category, which is funny because ground beef is actually faster to cook, but alas, here we are. Ok, so I’ve fallen in love and I need everyone to join me. I love this sticky Mexican chicken recipe, and I really think it will be your back-pocket recipe as well. 

Where This Recipe Came From

This recipe started with a dying lime.

It was down to its last wispy breath in the fruit basket I can’t stand, and I knew it was time for a little kitchen CPR. With just six ingredients, dinner came together in 10 minutes flat! Now I’m hooked on this flavorful Mexican chicken. It’s perfect in street tacos, loaded rice bowls with roasted bell peppers and onions, tossed into salads, stirred into soups—you name it. Or keep it simple: just add salsa, avocado, and a dollop of sour cream and call it done.

I really think the key is to use either our homemade taco seasoning or the Kinders brand, which I buy at Costco. I wouldn’t recommend the little taco seasoning packets as they don’t boast as much flavor. But if you must, the recipe will still be delicious. 

I’d love to hear how you use the chicken! Reach out and share your recipes and photos on Instagram @ohsweetbasil

Ingredients for Sticky Mexican Chicken

Sometimes the best recipes come from the simplest ingredients combined in just the right way. Here are the 6 ingredients you will need:

• Chicken Breasts: cut into bite-size pieces, the chicken breasts can also be cooked whole if you prefer (see recipe notes for instructions) or swapped for chicken thighs.
• Taco Seasoning: We like to use our homemade recipe (which has seasonings like salt, pepper, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and more), but you can use store-bought (we recommend Kinders).
• Olive Oil: used to cook the chicken and keep it from sticking.
• Green Onions: greens only, chopped into 1″ pieces, adds flavor.
• Lime Juice: adds a bright citrus flavor.
• Honey: adds natural sweetness and balances the seasoning.

The measurements for all the ingredients are listed in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• One Pan: the whole recipe is made from start to finish in one pan, making cleanup easy
• Ready in 10 minutes: the prep is minimal, and cooking small bite-sized pieces of chicken cooks up really quickly
• Only 6 ingredients needed: the flavor is maxed out with just a few simple ingredients
• Balanced flavor: the tartness of the citrus is balanced by the sweetness of the honey, and it’s all enhanced by the spiciness of the taco seasoning
• Versatile: it can be eaten by itself or as a part of several other dishes (see section below)
• Meal Prep: This chicken is great for prepping ahead, especially if you like to meal prep
• Healthy: all the ingredients are natural, and one serving is less than 200 calories with over 25 grams of protein

How to Serve This Mexican Chicken

I can’t stop thinking of ways to eat this sticky Mexican chicken. The first time I made it, we just ate it plain with a side of black beans and Mexican rice. Since then, we have eat this chicken on burritos and tacos, in enchiladas, chicken fajitas, and quesadillas, and on top of nachos and rice bowls. Every one of them has been delicious! I plan to use it next in our white chicken chili and then in our Mexican cheese rice casserole in place of the ground beef!

So all that being said, you can eat it just as is, or you can add it to just about any Mexican dish you can think of.

Side Dishes

If you want some suggestions for side dishes to go with this chicken, here are a few options:

• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Pinto Beans
• Mexican Roasted Zucchini
• Homemade Salsa
• Elote Mexican Corn Salad
• Homemade Flour Tortillas
• Guacamole
• Pico De Gallo

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating

Mexican chicken stores really well in both the refrigerator and freezer. Keep it in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. It will do even better in the freezer if you use a Food Saver to vacuum seal it!

Reheating chicken can get a little tricky because it tends to dry out. My favorite way to reheat it is actually in the oven. Place the chicken in an oven-safe pan, add a couple of tablespoons of water (or broth), cover the pan tightly with foil, and then bake for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Whether you need to feed a crowd or just need to get a quick weeknight meal on the table, this easy sticky Mexican chicken is your answer!

Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes:

• Chicken Parm
• Cashew Chicken
• Chicken with Oregano
• Chicken Stir Fry
• Garlic Butter Chicken
• Cornflake Ranch Chicken

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