The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
User Reviews
5
The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
Description
The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe uses a blend of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Together, these ingredients create an acidic and savory marinade that tenderizes chicken while adding aromatic and bright notes. The garlic and brown sugar provide depth and a mild sweetness to balance the citrus and soy elements.
Chicken breasts or thighs are pierced with a fork to allow better penetration of the marinade and placed in a sealed bag to marinate. The recipe suggests a minimum 30-minute marination, with an ideal time of 4 to 5 hours to develop fuller flavor. Grilling over medium heat ensures a caramelized exterior with a juicy interior, reaching safe doneness at 165°F internal temperature.
After grilling, resting the chicken for 5 minutes helps retain juices and improves texture. Fresh parsley garnish adds a touch of herbal brightness. This marinade is versatile for various chicken cuts and suited for summer grilling or other cooking methods requiring flavorful, moist chicken.
Preference for chicken cuts is flexible with this marinade, accommodating breasts, tenders, or thighs. The balance of marinade ingredients supports different textures and flavors. Brushing the grill with oil prevents sticking, aiding in clean grill marks and easy flipping.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken breast Tenders, or Thighs
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil depending on preference
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 garlic minced or 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder, cloves
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- GARNISH:
- parsley fresh
Instructions
- In a bowl, stir together oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pierce chicken breasts with a fork all over. Place in a large Ziploc bag. Pour marinade over chicken.
- Let marinate for at least 30 minutes. 4 - 5 hours is ideal.
- Preheat grill to medium heat. Brush grill with oil to prevent sticking.
- Place chicken on the grill. Cook for approximately 5 - 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of chicken. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
Notes
- This marinade works well with chicken breasts, thinly sliced breasts, tenders, or thighs depending on your preference.
- Marinating for 4 to 5 hours enhances flavor penetration more than the minimum 30 minutes.
- Prepping the chicken by piercing with a fork helps the marinade soak in evenly.
- Rest the grilled chicken for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute evenly.
- Use fresh parsley as a garnish to add a mild herbal note and color contrast.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 224 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 224kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 96mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 1291mg | 54% |
| Potassium | 633mg | 13% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 45IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 5.5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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