The best Chicken Marinade ever! This marinade produces so much flavor and keeps the chicken incredibly moist and outrageously delicious! This easy chicken marinade recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Great for grilling and baking!
Grilling tonight? Make sure to try my steak marinade and grilled potatoes too!
Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
For many years now I have been perfecting my chicken marinade recipe and it’s finally exactly what I want. I love this easy 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 and I’m confident you’re going to love it as much as we do.
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!)
Having a good grilled chicken breast marinade on hand is essential if you live in a hot area like I do. It’s a quick, no-brainer dinner option that we rely on several times each month.
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.
One of our other favorite ways is to use this as a chicken thigh marinade or even drumsticks. It really will work for any piece of chicken. (I’ve had lots of reader write in saying it’s also delicious with veggies, pork and beef!)
What To Serve With Grilled Chicken
Since we grill multiple times a week, I’ve become quite an expert at quickly whipping up one or two side dishes that pair perfectly with grilled chicken. 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 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.
Chicken Marinade Ingredients
While the list looks long, most if not all of these ingredients will likely be in your pantry. What we’re doing here is just building layers of flavor in this easy marinade. Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need:
- extra virgin olive oil – this is the base of the marinade and keeps the chicken so juicy and moist.
- balsamic vinegar – a balsamic chicken marinade is my very favorite. It is definitely one of the key ingredients in this recipe and adds loads of flavor.
- soy sauce – I like to use low sodium.
- Worcestershire sauce – so many flavor in this ingredient, it’s a must for this marinade.
- lemon juice – fresh is best for flavor but you can use bottled if you need to.
- brown sugar – I have lots of readers that reduce or even eliminate the brown sugar but I personally love it in this recipe.
- dried rosemary – a little herbaceous flavor is always nice to round out a marinade.
- Dijon mustard – or Spicy Brown mustard or even plain yellow mustard will work in a pinch.
- salt and ground black pepper – for seasoning.
- garlic powder – I prefer garlic powder instead of fresh garlic because the fresh garlic will burn on the grill.
How To Make Chicken Marinade
This easy marinade comes together in just minutes!
- Prepare marinade. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk together. Cheater method: put them straight into a large ziploc bag that will also be used for marinating the chicken.
- Reserve. Remove a half a cup of marinade and reserve for basting the chicken later.
- Marinate Chicken. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over the top. Close securely and gently massage marinade into breasts. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
Cooking Methods
Marinated chicken can be cooked on the grill, in the oven or on the stovetop. Here are my tips for cooking it best:
- Grilling: 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. Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. 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.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place marinated chicken on a shallow baking sheet or baking pan and cook for 18 to 22 minutes (or 450F for 15 to 18 minutes if you’re in a hurry) or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Baste as often as you can for best flavor.
- Stovetop: Preheat a skillet over medium high and lightly grease. Cook chicken for 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Use a stovetop grill pan for those pretty sear marks!
FAQs
Any kind of chicken you like. Breasts, thighs, drumsticks, tenders, skin on or off, bone in or out. Now, keep in mind that different cuts will take more or less time. Always check on the internal temperature to check doneness. Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
A minimum of 30 minutes and as long as overnight. I find the chicken starts to get tough if I marinate it for more than 24 hours. If you have less time, consider poking holes in the chicken with a fork to allow the marinade to penetrate quickly.
Yes, absolutely. After adding the marinade to the chicken breast in a freezer safe resealable bag, freeze chicken for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
The chicken can be grilled, baked or cooked on the stovetop. See the previous section for more information or check out the recipe card below for instructions.
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
How to Make the Best Chicken Marinade
The BEST Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar or other vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce I use low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ cup lemon juice
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard or Spicy Brown mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 chicken breasts or 3.5 lb chicken
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk together. Remove a half a cup of marinade and reserve for basting the chicken later.
- Place chicken in a large resealable bag and pour marinade over the top. Gently massage chicken breasts and be sure to close bag securely. (If you have less time, consider poking holes in the chicken with a fork to allow the marinade to penetrate quickly.)
- Refrigerate chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. I find 4 to 6 hours to be perfect.
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.
- Once the chicken has reached 165°F, 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.
Kristin Paradise says
So, I regularly surf the net for recipe ideas, almost always tweaking stuff to suit my taste….never reviewed a recipe before (not that I can remember, anyway) but felt I’d be doing the world a great injustice by not praising out loud this TO DIE FOR marinade. Oh my God….I could drink it…..I will save this recipe forever…..BTW, left bone-in breasts, thighs and drumsticks in this marinade overnight with the intention of grilling the next night for dinner – but the crappy weather didn’t want to cooperate with our grill so I dumped it all in a pyrex glass dish and baked in a convection oven….. all I can say is the grill can kiss my a** from now on when it comes to this marinated chicken….. EASIEST prep & bake and BEST FLAVOR EVERRRRRR!!!!! A great indirect thanks to Mother Nature for showing us the light….ha! 😉 😀
Barney Stanley says
Hi Trish,
I am a 65 year old man and I made this for my wife and I and even added some small sweet peppers to the veg’s.
It turned out wonderful!
Thank you very much. I love cooking.
PS
I have a sister named Trish
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you enjoyed the marinade Barney! Trish is a GREAT name 😉
Darlene says
Tonight is now the 4th time I’ve used this marinade since I came across it. And it’s only been ONE MONTH!! So easy to put together. I subbed dried parsley for the rosemary because of personal taste. I slice my chicken breast into 2-3 strips before marinating then I thread them onto skewers before grilling or oven baking just for the fun factor. The leftover marinade I cook down on the stove to make it safe as well as a little thicker with a slight cornstarch slurry and use it for basting and a finishing glaze. Told the hubs we were having chicken for dinner, his response is now “Can you put that good stuff on it again?”
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOVE the skewers idea! May have to give that a go myself next time. I think my boys would love it! Thanks so much Darlene!
Anna says
Best grilled chicken breast recipe ever. It smelled wonderful and everyone loved it. Will definitely make often. Thank you!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You are so sweet Anna – thank you!!
Kacey says
One of the first to pop up when I put “chicken marinade” in my search – I figured I have all the ingredients I’ll give it a try. Soooooooo happy I did! Even my teens (who are always skeptical of my new recipes) LOVED it! Thanks for saving us from what could have been another night of “boring” chicken!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
AWESOME! So glad you loved this recipe as much as we do. It’s my go-to when I’ve got chicken breasts to use up 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
autumn says
SO good!
Had a BBQ for my birthday over the weekend and got a lot of compliments on the chicken! Definitely going to make this again.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Woohoo! Thanks for stopping by Autumn! Have a great weekend!
Sherry Coffey says
Looking forward to trying this recipe. Question – boneless, skinless chicken or bone in with skin?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I usually go the boneless route but you can go bone-in as well, you’ll just need to add additional time for cooking. Have a great weekend Sherry and I’d love to know what you think if you give it a try 🙂
Jana says
Made this chicken tonight on the bbq! Everyone LOVED it!! Better than some i’ve had in restaurants. Will definitely save this recipe and i’m already looking forward to the next time I make it! Thanks for this wonderful recipe 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Love reading this SO much Jana! Hope you have an amazing weekend!
Kait says
YUM!!! Amazing, thank you! Now I just need to learn how to not overcook chicken ?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you Kait! And yes, that can be tricky. A thermometer is a great way to start if you’re learning how your BBQ or grill works too. Some get SO hot and it can dry out chicken fast. Fortunately, the marinade can help with that problem 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Cindy Martin says
I don’t have a grill. Can I just bake it in the oven?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you can! 425 degrees, 20 minutes for boneless and 35-40 minutes for bone in chicken or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Enjoy!
Kaleigh says
Hands down, best marinade ever! I was skeptical at first, considering most pins say “best recipe” but this is honestly the best marinade/sauce I’ve ever tried! Huge hit tonight! Will definitely be keeping this recipe for good!!! ☺️
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you SO much Kaleigh!! Have a great weekend!
Cheryl says
This was just as advertised – wonderful! I let the two breasts soak for 24 hours before grilling inside (raining) and only used half the marinade, so I think I’ll use the rest for pork chops or tenderloin.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Cheryl! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Katie Brown says
Could you also use use this marinade on pork?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you sure can Katie and it’s delicious!
Jean Swinehart says
I did this chicken for lunch with some girl friends. They were my guinea pigs. It was amazing. It is great to have a marinade that doesn’t have a bunch of nasty stuff in it (store bought stuff). What I want to know is can I make up a larger batch and keep in on hand? Will it store for a week?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yay! So glad you ladies enjoyed the chicken! You know, I really haven’t tried making it that far in advance, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t keep. I’d say go for it!
Christine @ myblissfulmess says
This recipe is PHENOMENAL! My whole gang loved it, including myself. I whipped up that easy marinade in the morning, and let the chicken marinade all day in the fridge. It turned out so incredible! I apparently liked this recipe so much that I had saved it twice LOL. It is excellent with some fresh corn on the cob and a salad. Definitely going to be a repeat around here. If you haven’t tried it folks, you’re missing out.