The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe makes chicken extra juicy and flavorful. This savory grilled chicken marinade makes the perfect mouthwatering grilled chicken! Everyone loves this 5-star-rated chicken marinade.
The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
Do you want to make the most flavorful, mouthwatering, juicy grilled chicken? I have the recipe for you and all of the secrets to the best chicken marinade! This recipe has consistently received 5-star reviews for over 5 years and is the most popular chicken recipe.
When we were newly married, we lived near Dean's brother, his wife, and two kids. We were living in an apartment, going to college full-time, and working crazy hours to pay the bills. We were poor little college students and would love when Deron and Sarah would invite us over for dinner.
Their go-to meal was grilled chicken in a delish marinade. They knew how much we loved it so we ate it almost every time we had dinner at their home.
So I had to ask her what was in this amazing chicken marinade recipe. It is beyond simple! I decided to tweak it and add a few more flavors to make it extra tangy and zesty. This grilled chicken marinade will become a staple in your home too!
Chicken Marinade Ingredients:
Everything you need is most likely in your pantry and refrigerator. This is all about layers upon layers of flavor from fresh lemon juice to tangy balsamic vinegar. It makes the most flavorful grilled chicken!
This Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe is made with extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. You have such a variety of seasonings in this marinade.
What do I love about this Grilled Chicken?
The extra virgin olive oil keeps the chicken extra moist and juicy.
Fresh lemon juice and balsamic vinegar break down the fibers in the chicken to make it tender.
The soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce give it a salty depth of flavor.
The brown sugar adds some rich sweetness and gives the chicken a nice crust when grilled.
All of the ingredients work together in harmony to make the perfect chicken marinade!
How long should I marinate chicken?
The key is to let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the marinade ingredients to infuse flavors and moisture into the chicken for the juiciest, most flavorful chicken you will ever eat!
Pierce the chicken breasts with a fork all over to ensure the marinade can seep into the chicken to make it juicy. What is an ideal amount of time to marinate chicken? An ideal marinating time is 4 - 5 hours.
How to grill chicken and how long to cook grilled chicken?
To grill the chicken, set your grill at medium heat. Allow it to preheat before placing the chicken on the grill.
To keep the chicken from sticking, brush a bit of oil on the grill.
Cook for about 5 - 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. The chicken needs to reach 165 degrees to ensure that it is completely cooked through. I suggest using a food thermometer for ensure the perfectly cooked and juiciest grilled chicken.
What type of chicken should I use?
Use whatever types of chicken you prefer -- chicken breasts, thinly sliced chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or chicken thighs.
Thinly sliced chicken breast will cook faster than traditional chicken breasts. Chicken tenders and thinly sliced chicken breast will cook much quicker than thick chicken breasts so watch carefully.
What should I serve with grilled chicken marinade?
Some of my favorite recipes to serve with grilled chicken are:
Loaded Potato Salad with Bacon
Another great marinade is my Tri-Tip Steak Marinade.
I can't wait to hear how much you love this grilled chicken recipe!
The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Chicken Breasts Tenders, or Thighs
- ⅓ - ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil depending on preference
- 3 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 Garlic Cloves minced or ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- Garnish:
- Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- In a bowl, stir together oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pierce chicken breasts with a fork all over. Place in a large Ziploc bag. Pour marinade over chicken.
- Let marinate for at least 30 minutes. 4 - 5 hours is ideal.
- Preheat grill to medium heat. Brush grill with oil to prevent sticking.
- Place chicken on the grill. Cook for approximately 5 - 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of chicken. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
Notes
What type of chicken should I use?
Use whatever types of chicken you prefer -- chicken breasts, thinly sliced chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or chicken thighs.Nutrition
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Happy Cooking, my friends!
Marsha
This is absolutely the best marinade I have ever tasted. So happy to have this recipe. I used an aged Balsamic vinegar. Oh my gosh thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Kevin S. Starbuck
This marinade is excellent but I did one variation that I believe makes it superb. I crushed and added 7-8 dry Japones peppers (these are quite mild) and grilled the chicken on my propane Weber. My one word of caution is to limit the time as lemon causes faster absorption of flavor in a marinade and over night will give you a very strong lemon taste. Two or three hours is plenty of time and piercing the chicken with a fork isn’t necessary. If you want more flavor just let it sit longer. Also, include some zest as it imparts slightly brighter hints of the lemon. There is also a huge difference between regular and Meyer lemons and I much prefer the latter for more balance.
Mike Brown
Loved it! Saved it! Will use it again and again! Finally, a grilled chicken marinade that actually tastes great and keeps the chichen juicy! Thank you Melissa!
Mari Anne Zang
I have NEVER left a review for anything, but this recipe was outstanding! And because we do a LOT of Korean cooking, marination is a big deal in our fam! This isn't Korean, per se, but it's going in my recipe file to become a staple at our house! (I followed the recipe to the letter FYI)
Rachael
If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would! Holy crap this is so good. We use it every single time (no questions asked) when we are grilling. The only I do differently is use red wine vinegar only because my husband does not like balsamic. I can imagine it’s just as yummy. Thank you sooooo much for this staple on our household! ????
Brooke
Loved this recipe. Could I possibly turn this marinade into a sauce? If so, how? Thank you!
Shelby
You can try to reduce the marinade by simmering it on the stove to make it thicker. Probably best to just make a little bit extra marinade and set that aside for the sauce.
You could also maybe try adding a cornstarch slurry to thicken it too.
Teresa
I would replace half the oil with water, and simmer until reduced and thickened to sauce consistency.
Lindsay Newcomb
What can i substitute if I don’t have lemons?
Shelby
Maybe try white or red wine vinegar.
Sam
Any citrus juice
John Lusk
limes
Tank
Acv! Apple cider vinegar
Alison
I also had no lemons on hand when I made this so I just omitted it completely, it still came out so flavorful and juicy!
K.J.C.
Since I discovered this recipe, it is the only recipe I use. It even got my son to eat chicken, and previously he wouldn't touch anything that wasn't fried. Now he even requests this. Thank you!
Beth
This is so good! Made it twice this week and cooked on my little Foreman grill. I only marinated for about 30 minutes the first time and it was still great. Thanks!
Bob Landolfi
I also don't comment on recipes usually but this was outstanding and deserves special mention. I didn't read the part about poking the chicken breasts but marinated for 4 hours in the fridge and it was divine off the grill. This is a permanent addition to the recipe collection, thanks!
KimD
This was very good! I had all of the ingredients in my fridge/pantry. I used nine bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, poked a bunch of holes in them with a sharp knife and marinated overnight. We got home from a long day of adventures and I put them in the oven as I was tired and it was easier than grilling. Excellent! I think next time I might add a little crushed red pepper or chipotle powder to it, give it a little kick.
Cisco
Amazing marinade!! The chicken breats was tasty and juicy!!!
The end result is amazing!! My family enjoyed every single bite !!!
Evelyn Bysiek
I never write reviews but I have to say that I’ve been using this marinade for the past two months and it’s INCREDIBLE. It seems so basic but I think it’s the brown sugar that steps it up past any other chicken marinade. I’m about to make a huge batch for my son’s family birthday party tomorrow. Try it - it’s sooo good! Only marinade you’ll need. I used it for grilled shrimp tonight and it was just as good. Thank you!
Elaine
This makes a delicious marinade for chicken. I followed the recipe and used chicken thighs. They grilled up quick and tasty. We had company over and I was very pleased with how they turned out. I’ll use this recipe a lot. Thank you
Alyssa
Made with turkey breast. Marinated for 4 hours then put on rosemary branches to grill brochette style! It was divine! Definately keeping this recette!!! Thank You!
Patrick Beatty
I always have problems with chicken on the grill drying up or getting really burnt because of the marinade and this recipe turned out perfect!
Kelsey
I have huge chicken breasts, i wanted to try this in a crock pot? Any recommendations?
Audrey Allen
Fantastic recipe! Chicken breast are tender and juicy. I tried it once and made it abt 3 times after that. My family love it and it is super easy to make. Thanks!!
Genevieve B Cleveland
Amazing, wouldn't change a thing. I used boneless, skinless, thighs. Moist and delicious. This is a keeper.
Jenniffer E.
Definitely the best I have tried. Good for a repeat make.