The ultimate Chicken Marinade! This marinade imparts an abundance of flavor while ensuring the chicken remains exceptionally moist and incredibly tasty! This straightforward chicken marinade recipe is destined to become a fundamental part of your culinary repertoire. Ideal for both grilling and baking!
Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
For several years, I have been refining my chicken marinade recipe, and it has finally reached the perfection I desired. I appreciate this simple recipe because it swiftly elevates a standard chicken breast (or any other chicken cut) into something remarkably delectable – just in time for dinner.
It truly is the BEST chicken marinade I have ever experienced, and I am certain you will enjoy it as much as we do.
Easy Chicken Breast Marinade
I always keep chicken breasts available because there is an abundance of possibilities with a chicken breast…(Be sure to explore my book for ONE HUNDRED chicken recipes!)
Having a reliable grilled chicken breast marinade is crucial if you reside in a warm climate like I do. It serves as a quick, effortless dinner solution that we depend on multiple times each month.
Let me clarify, this is not to imply that this marinade is ineffective on other chicken cuts. It certainly works and is incredibly flavorful, so feel free to use whatever you have available.
One of our other preferred methods is to utilize this as a marinade for chicken thighs or even drumsticks. It genuinely works for any chicken part. (I have received numerous messages from readers stating it is also delightful with vegetables, pork, and beef!)
What To Serve With Grilled Chicken
Since we grill several times a week, I have become quite skilled at quickly preparing one or two side dishes that complement grilled chicken perfectly. Here are some of our favorites:
- Fruit Salad
- Grape Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- The Best Coleslaw Recipe
- Grilled Potatoes
Easy Baked Sweet Potato (How To Bake Sweet Potatoes)
Grilled Chicken Marinade
This is truly my absolute favorite marinade for grilled chicken. I enjoy preparing a large batch of grilled chicken, and this recipe is perfect for that purpose. It yields enough marinade for approximately 6 large chicken breasts or 3 to 4 pounds of chicken pieces.
Chicken Marinade Ingredients
Although the list may appear lengthy, most, if not all, of these ingredients are likely already in your pantry. The goal here is to create layers of flavor in this simple marinade. Let’s quickly review what you will need:
extra virgin olive oil – this serves as the foundation of the marinade, ensuring the chicken remains juicy and moist.
balsamic vinegar – a balsamic chicken marinade is my absolute favorite. It is undoubtedly one of the essential ingredients in this recipe, contributing a wealth of flavor.
soy sauce – I prefer to use low sodium.
Worcestershire sauce – this ingredient adds a multitude of flavors, making it indispensable for this marinade.
lemon juice – fresh is preferable for flavor, but bottled can be used if necessary.
brown sugar – many of my readers choose to reduce or even omit the brown sugar, but I personally enjoy its presence in this recipe.
dried rosemary – a hint of herbaceous flavor is always pleasant to enhance a marinade.
Dijon mustard – or Spicy Brown mustard, or even plain yellow mustard can suffice in a pinch.
salt and ground black pepper – for seasoning purposes.
garlic powder – I favor garlic powder over fresh garlic, as fresh garlic tends to burn on the grill.
How To Make Chicken Marinade
This straightforward marinade can be prepared in just a few minutes!
Prepare marinade. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk them together. For a quicker method, you can place them directly into a large ziploc bag that will also be used for marinating the chicken.
Reserve. Set aside half a cup of the marinade for basting the chicken later.
Marinate Chicken. Place the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag securely and gently massage the marinade into the chicken breasts. Allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
Grilling: Begin by preheating the grill to a medium-high temperature and lightly oiling the grates. Take the chicken out of the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Grill the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until it is fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken must reach 165°F. Occasionally baste the chicken with the reserved marinade. Once done, remove the chicken from the grill and cover it with foil. Allow the chicken to rest for a minimum of 5 minutes before serving.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the marinated chicken on a shallow baking sheet or pan and bake for 18 to 22 minutes (or at 450°F for 15 to 18 minutes if you are short on time) until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Baste frequently for optimal flavor.
Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and lightly grease it. Cook the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until it attains an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. For attractive sear marks, use a stovetop grill pan!
FAQs
What type of chicken can I use?
You can use any type of chicken you prefer. Breasts, thighs, drumsticks, tenders, with skin or without, bone-in or boneless. Keep in mind that different cuts will require varying cooking times. Always monitor the internal temperature to ensure doneness. The chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
A minimum of 30 minutes is recommended, but it can be marinated overnight. I have noticed that marinating for more than 24 hours can make the chicken tough. If you are short on time, consider piercing the chicken with a fork to help the marinade soak in more quickly.
Can I freeze marinated chicken?
Yes, certainly. After placing the marinade on the chicken breast in a freezer-safe resealable bag, you can freeze the chicken for up to 6 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before use.
How should I cook the marinated chicken?
The chicken can be grilled, baked, or cooked on the stovetop. Refer to the previous section for additional details or consult the recipe card.
More Chicken Recipes
- Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Chicken Piccata – Ready In 20 Minutes!
- The BEST Chicken Salad
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
- Greek Chicken – A Sheet Pan Dinner
Notes
I have marinated my chicken for as little as 30 minutes, and it was still exceptional. Essentially, the longer you can marinate, the better the results, but do not be concerned if time is limited.
Grilling: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Take the chicken out of the marinade, allowing the excess to drip off. Grill the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until it is fully cooked. The chicken must achieve an internal temperature of 165°F. Occasionally baste the chicken with the reserved marinade. Once done, remove the chicken from the grill and cover it with foil. Allow the chicken to rest for a minimum of 5 minutes before serving.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the marinated chicken on a shallow baking sheet or pan and bake for 18 to 22 minutes (or at 450°F for 15 to 18 minutes if you are pressed for time) or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Baste frequently for optimal flavor.
Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium-high and lightly grease it. Cook the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until it attains an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. For attractive sear marks, use a stovetop grill pan!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 cups chili sauce
- 3/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed
Combine all ingredients. Pour over chicken breasts. Cover and allow to marinate in refrigerator (1-2 hours). Cook chicken breasts on grill, using excess sauce to baste during first 10 minutes of cooking.
The marinated chicken breast recipe is ready..enjoy the feasts ! Nice !
Cooks Safety Tip: Don't use the chicken marinade after the first 10 minutes of cooking - it contains raw chicken juice. If marinade is left unrefrigerated for over 10 minutes, discard.
marinated-chicken-breasts-1.
