Amazing Chicken Marinade
If you’re looking for a go-to chicken marinade that delivers big flavor, tender meat, and foolproof results every time, this is it. This amazing chicken marinade works with any cut of chicken and any cooking method—grill, bake, broil, pan-sear, or air fry.
Why This Marinade Is So Amazing
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Creates juicy, tender chicken every time
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Perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy
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Works for breasts, thighs, wings, and drumsticks
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Made with simple pantry ingredients
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Easy to customize for any cuisine
Ingredients
Amazing Chicken Marinade
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½ cup olive oil
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¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
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¼ cup lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
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3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make the Amazing Chicken Marinade
1. Mix the Marinade
In a bowl or large zip-top bag, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, garlic, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Add 1½–2 pounds of chicken (any cut).
Coat well, cover, and refrigerate:
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30 minutes minimum
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2–8 hours for best flavor
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Up to 24 hours for dark meat
Tip: For chicken breasts, 2–4 hours is perfect.
3. Cook the Chicken
Grilling
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Medium-high heat (375–425°F / 190–220°C)
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Breasts: 5–7 minutes per side
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Thighs: 6–8 minutes per side
Baking
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400°F (205°C)
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Breasts: 20–25 minutes
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Thighs: 30–35 minutes
Broiling
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High broil, rack 5–6 inches from heat
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6–7 minutes per side
Chicken is done at 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
Pro Tips for Maximum Flavor
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Pound chicken breasts to even thickness
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Don’t reuse raw marinade without boiling it first
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Let chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing
Flavor Variations (Use the Same Base!)
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Asian: Add ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar
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Mediterranean: Add lemon zest, oregano, and rosemary
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Spicy: Add cayenne or chili garlic sauce
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Honey Garlic: Increase honey and garlic
What to Serve With Marinated Chicken
Storage & Meal Prep
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Refrigerate (cooked): Up to 4 days
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Freeze (cooked): Up to 3 months
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Marinade can be mixed and refrigerated for 3 days
Final Thoughts
This amazing chicken marinade is the ultimate kitchen staple—reliable, adaptable, and packed with flavor. Once you try it, you’ll never cook plain chicken again.
- 1⁄4 cup cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1⁄2lemon, juiced
- 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- ground black pepper
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
In a large, non-reactive container, whisk together ingredients beginning with cider vinegar through salt.
Then whisk in olive oil and pepper.
Place chicken in the mixture.
Cover and marinate chicken in the fridge 8 hours or overnight.
Remove chicken from marinade just before you turn on your grill or broiler to let come up a few degrees.
Discard marinade.
Lightly oil your grill or broiler pan.
Grill or broil about 10 minutes per side. Enjoy !
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