Description
The BEST Chicken Marinade is a flavorful blend of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet ingredients that tenderizes chicken and infuses it with bold, juicy flavor. Perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing any cut of chicken.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1.5 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or resealable plastic bag, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken and turn to coat well. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 4–6 hours.
- Remove chicken from the marinade and discard any remaining marinade.
- Grill, bake, or pan-sear the chicken until fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Do not reuse marinade unless you boil it for at least 5 minutes to make it safe for use as a sauce.Add chili flakes or hot sauce for a spicy version.Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce to make this marinade gluten-free.Try different citrus juices like lime or orange for a flavor variation.Marinate in a freezer-safe bag and freeze raw chicken for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx. 6 oz cooked chicken)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
