Grilled Chicken Marinade
This Grilled Chicken Marinade is the best one I’ve made. Trust me, I’ve tested plenty of different marinades over the years and nothing compares. The most delicious ones are always the simplest, and this proves it.
SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
We'll send this recipe to your inbox, so you can find it when you need it!
I make this chicken recipe on weeknights, on Sundays for meal prep, and all summer long. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and the chicken taste is juicy and flavorful every single time. Just mix, refrigerate, and cook.
If you’re firing up the grill, my Baked Beans and Potato Salad are the perfect sides to make with grilled chicken!
What you’ll love about this Easy Grilled Chicken Marinade
Recipe Ingredients:
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this chicken marinade for grilled chicken
- Boneless skinless chicken breast is what this recipe is written for. I just slice them in half, but you can also pound them to an even thickness before adding the marinade ingredients so they cook evenly and don’t dry out.
- Avocado oil forms the base and helps everything stick to the chicken. Olive oil works as a substitute if that’s what you have on hand.
- Soy sauce adds saltiness and depth so you don’t need much additional salt.
- Lemon juice brightens the whole thing and helps tenderize the meat.
- Honey gives you that slight caramelization on the outside.
- Worcestershire sauce adds a deep, savory flavor that makes the marinade taste like it has been going all day.
- Garlic powder is what I use. Fresh garlic works too, just swap in 3 cloves.
- Black pepper adds just enough heat without overpowering anything else.
How to make Grilled Chicken Marinade
Step 1. Mix the oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
Step 2. Add the chicken and coat it well.
Step 3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
Step 4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Step 5. Let the excess marinade drip off before placing the chicken on the hot grill.
Step 6. Oil the grill grates and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side until fully cooked through.
Step 7. Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before cutting.
How long should you marinate chicken?
Thirty minutes is the best way to work much flavor into the chicken breasts without a lot of planning. If you can do 4 to 8 hours, you will get the best results. Don’t go past 8 hours though. The acid from the lemon juice will break down the muscle fibers too much and you’ll end up with mushy chicken instead of juicy.
How do you bake marinated chicken in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Let the excess marinade drip off before placing the chicken in the pan. Bake boneless breasts for 20 to 25 minutes, or bone-in chicken breast for 35 to 40 minutes. Rest 5 minutes before serving. You won’t get the nice grill marks, but the honey caramelizes beautifully and the chicken comes out just as flavorful!
PRO TIPS:
Bring the chicken to room temperature for about 15 minutes before grilling for more even cooking.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature hits 165 degrees before pulling it off the heat.
Don’t skip the resting time! Cutting in too soon lets all the juices run out.
Want to take it to the next level? Brush a little extra honey on in the last minute of grilling.
How to store leftover grilled chicken
Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This is one of those chicken breast recipes that works for so much more than dinner. Slice it over salads, tuck it into wraps, pile it on grain bowls, or use it as dumpling fillings if you have a batch to use up.
How to freeze and reheat grilled chicken
Store cooked chicken in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. To reheat, warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep it from drying out. You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you can. It dries it out fast.
Substitutions
Any cut of chicken works in this marinade. Chicken thighs are great if you prefer dark meat and they are harder to overcook.
For the acid, you can swap the lemon juice for apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar for a slightly different flavor.
If you want sweetness without honey, brown sugar works too.
For a smokier version, add a splash of bbq sauce to the mix. For lower sodium, swap soy sauce for coconut aminos.
If you don’t have Italian seasoning, dried oregano and basil work just fine, and thyme is always a favorite one of mine!
FAQs about this simple marinade grilled chicken
What is the best chicken cook time for this recipe? Five to 6 minutes per side on a preheated grill. Pull it when it reaches 165°F internally every time.
Can I reuse marinade as a sauce? No! Once raw chicken has been in it, the marinade is not safe to use. Set some aside before adding the chicken if you want something to drizzle at the end.
Can I make this in the instant pot? Yes. Add the marinated chicken with 1/2 cup of water or broth and cook on high pressure for 8 to 10 minutes.
Can I freeze the chicken in the marinade? Yes. Add the raw chicken and marinade to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook as directed.
What can I serve with Grilled Chicken Breast Marinade?
This marinade for grilled chicken goes well with a simple green salad, rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes.
It’s also great sliced over pasta or tucked into a wrap with whatever you have in the fridge. I also use it in casseroles and quesadillas. It’s so versatile!
Grilled Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.1/3 cup olive oil,1/4 cup soy sauce,2 tablespoons lemon juice,2 tablespoons honey,1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce,1 teaspoon garlic powder,1 teaspoon Italian seasoning,1 teaspoon paprika,1/2 teaspoon salt,1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Add the chicken and coat well in the marinade.1 1/2 pounds chicken.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the excess drip off.
- Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This post contains links to affiliate websites, such as Amazon, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you using these links. We appreciate your support!
About Vicky Hadley
Vicky Hadley is a professional food photographer and creator behind Little Chef Within. As a mom of 6 boys, there’s always plenty of noise and plenty of food! She relies on filling meals to keep her crew happy and loves creating recipes that real families can count on.