Look no further for the Best Chicken Marinade recipe ever! This marinade produces so much flavor and keeps the chicken incredibly moist and outrageously delicious – try it today! This easy chicken marinade recipe is going to quickly become your favorite go-to marinade! Make sure to try my steak marinade the next time you’re grilling and serve with a side of Strawberry Spinach Salad or some Zucchini Fries!
The Perfect Chicken Marinade
For many years now I have been perfecting my chicken marinade recipe and it’s finally exactly what I want. I love this easy chicken marinade recipe because it quickly transforms an ordinary chicken breast (or any other cut of chicken) into something extraordinarily delicious – just in time for dinner.
It really is the BEST chicken marinade I’ve ever had.
Easy Chicken Breast Marinade
I keep chicken breasts on hand at all times because there is just SOO much you can do with a chicken breast…(Make sure to check out my book for ONE HUNDRED chicken recipes!)
Chicken breasts frequently go on sale, and when you’re trying to eat sensibly for dinner so you can enjoy that Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar for dessert, chicken breasts are a good way to go.
Let me be clear, this is not to say that this marinade won’t work on other cuts of chicken. It most certainly does and is insanely delicious so use what you have on hand.
Perfect for Grilling
This is really my very favorite grilled chicken marinade. I love to make up a big batch of grilled chicken and this recipe is great for that. It makes enough marinade for about 6 large chicken breasts or 3 to 4 pounds of chicken pieces.
After enjoying this chicken with a for dinner, I like to add it to my favorite salads for lunch the next few days. The chicken just gets better and better!
How Easy Is It?
This grilled chicken marinade couldn’t be simpler. Just whisk together a bunch of ingredients together in a large bowl (I used my large Pyrex measuring cup for easy pouring) and pour over the chicken in a large ziploc bag.
Takes maybe 5 minutes to whip up.
How Long Should I Marinate the Chicken?
Now, in the recipe I say a minimum of 4 hours for marinating….I’m being overly optimistic there. I’ve marinated the chicken for as little as 30 minutes and the chicken was still phenomenal.
Basically, the longer you have to marinate the better but don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of time.
Grilling or Baking
When you’re ready to go, grill the chicken over medium-high heat until cooked through. I like to baste the chicken with the leftover marinade for optimal flavor. You can also bring the remaining marinade to a boil, reduce to a simmer and let cook until reduced for a tasty sauce to pour over the chicken. Soo good!
Lots of readers have asked about baking the chicken and that’s a great option too – especially during the winter.
To bake, preheat the oven to 400F, and bake for 18 to 20 minutes (or 450F for 15 to 18 minutes if you’re in a hurry). Baste as often as you can for best flavor.
I sure do hope you give this chicken marinade recipe a try soon so you can enjoy it all summer long!
Side Dishes We Love
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Easy Jalapeño Popper Bites
- Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
- Grilled Corn with Herb Butter
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
How to Make the Best Chicken Marinade
The BEST Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar or other vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/8 cup lemon juice
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp Dijon or Spicy Brown mustard
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 6 chicken breasts or 3.5 lb chicken
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except for chicken, in a large Pyrex measuring cup or mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Remove a half a cup of marinade and reserve for basting the chicken later.
- Place chicken in a large, ziploc bag and pour marinade over the top. Close securely.
- Marinate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
To grill
- Preheat grill to medium high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off.
- Grill chicken for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
- Baste the chicken occasionally with the reserved marinade.
- Remove chicken from grill and tent with foil. Let chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving
Optional.
- If you bring the reserved marinade up to a boil, let simmer until slightly reduced, it makes a wonderful sauce to go on top of the chicken.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Winner, winner chicken dinner!
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For all dinner recipes, go HERE.
For all chicken recipes, go HERE.
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Michelle says
This marinade is delicious! We marinated it overnight. The chicken was nice and tender and very flavorful.
MikeP says
Insanely good. Amazingly i had every ingredient already at home. Marinated for 24 hours ( not sure if thats normal) but hot damn it was mouthwatering. Used my new Lodge cast iron grill i bought specifically for this meal. Looked and tasted professionally made. Ty
Nathan says
Use this recipe all the time and its delicious.
Shawna Rancore says
This was delicious. ALL my kids ate it. I just reduced the vinegar a little bit. I’m going to make it again.
Michelle H says
This is crazy delicious, and as we like to say around here: Stupid easy. This is our Summer Marinade and I keep some in the freezer all summer.
Krystal says
We love this marinade. I admit that I do not use mustard because we do not care for it. This is our go to chicken marinade. So good!
Jacks says
So good! I made this for my family, it was so easy and delicious. I ate so much I was full as a tick! Will definitely make it again!
Greta says
Love this recipe. We sell olive oils and balsamic vinegars. I used a combination of garlic and rosemary olive oils, with lemon white balsamic. I cut the brown sugar in need half, and followed the rest of the recipe. WE just had it for our weekly family dinner. Everyone loved it!
I like subtle heat. I’m thinking of adding a bit of cayenne next time. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
John Curtis Hill says
I tried this marinade. It’s awesome. I added a little cinimon to the recipe. But stuck to the recipe other than that. It was great!