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An image of grilled marinated chicken breasts on a plate.
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5 from 4 votes

Best Chicken Marinade Recipe

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!
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Amy Nash

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

Storage & Make Ahead
  • 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

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 1262mg | Potassium: 663mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

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