This flavorful and easy chicken marinade will take your grilled chicken game to the next level! Perfect for chicken thighs, breasts, or any cut you prefer, this recipe is packed with simple ingredients that deliver layers of flavor!
I’m a big fan of grilling all summer long and the easiest way to approach grilling season is with a couple of trusty marinade recipes in your back pocket.
The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar ensures a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors for the best grilled chicken flavor. And the acidic ingredients like lemon juice and balsamic vinegar help break down the proteins, making the chicken incredibly tender and juicy.
For more deliciously good marinade recipes, check out my Sriracha Mayo Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops, Cornell Chicken, Marinated Steak Kabobs, Huli Huli Chicken, and Traditional Greek Marinade!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Whether you’re using boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or tenders, this marinade works wonders.
- With ingredients like garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil, you can whip up a delicious meal without a trip to the grocery store.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs – This can be any cut of chicken, including chicken tenders, chicken legs, or boneless chicken breasts.
- Olive Oil – Adds richness and helps coat the chicken.
- Brown Sugar – Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce – Adds a savory umami flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Adds acidity to tenderize the meat.
- Balsamic Vinegar – Enhances flavor with a tangy sweetness.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds depth and complexity.
- Minced Garlic Cloves – Provides a pungent, aromatic flavor.
- Smoked Paprika – Adds a smoky depth to the marinade.
- Kosher Salt – Enhances all the flavors.
- Ground Black Pepper – Adds a bit of heat and flavor.
How to Make The Perfect Chicken Marinade
- Prepare the marinade. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk well to combine all the marinade ingredients. The marinade can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week before use.
- Marinate the chicken. Place the cuts of chicken and the marinade in a large resealable ziplock bag. Ensure all the chicken pieces are well-coated. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 4-6 hours, or even overnight in the refrigerator.
- Grill the chicken. Preheat your grill to medium heat, about 350-400 degrees F. Grill the chicken for 4-6 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve and enjoy. Serve the grilled chicken with your favorite side dishes and enjoy a delicious, flavorful meal.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, this marinade works well with any type of chicken cut, as well as pork, beef, seafood, and even vegetables.
Yes, bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
You can use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
The marinade can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Store any leftover cooked marinated chicken pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Tips for Success
- For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 4-6 hours in the zip-top bag. Overnight marination yields the most tender and flavorful results.
- Maintain a medium heat on the grill to cook the chicken evenly without burning the outside. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes after grilling. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist and flavorful.
What to Serve with Grilled Marinated Chicken
Pair your marinated chicken with a medley of grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus. The smoky flavors complement the chicken perfectly.
You can serve grilled chicken over a bed of rice or quinoa for a more complete meal. These grains absorb the delicious marinade juices, adding extra flavor to each bite.
A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great side dish as it adds a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory chicken.
Substitutions and Variations
- For more smoky Southwest heat, add 2 teaspoons each of ground chili powder and ground cumin with a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute olive oil with avocado oil.
- Use honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- Tamari or coconut aminos are great gluten-free alternatives to soy sauce.
- Swap lemon juice with lime juice, or even orange juice, for a different citrus flavor.
- Regular paprika or chili powder can be used instead of smoked paprika for a different spice level.
Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs (or other meat or veggies)
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk well to combine all the ingredients. The marinade can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week before use.⅓ cup olive oil, ¼ cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 3 cloves garlic,, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Place the chicken and the marinade in a large resealable ziplock bag. Ensure all the chicken pieces are well-coated. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 4-6 hours, or even overnight in the refrigerator.2 pounds chicken breasts
- Preheat your grill to medium heat, about 350-400 degrees F. Grill the chicken for 4-6 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Make Ahead: The marinade can be made and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Store: Store any leftover cooked marinated chicken pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Made this for an early Father’s day BBQ last night — it was SO delicious and super easy – my go-to marinade for chicken from here on out!
I love marinating chicken. It adds flavor and makes it so juicy. We used this recipe on some boneless chicken breasts and they had great flavor!
Ok, this is now my go-to marinade! It yielded an incredibly tender and juicy chicken! So good!
Thank you! It’s a good one!
Looks yummy