We really think this is the best chicken marinade recipe for the great flavor it adds!

With an easy combination of ingredients you likely have on hand, this grilled chicken marinade guarantees juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken every time!

With a slight hint of sweetness with a bright tangy and salty flavor, this is sure to be the go-to recipe for every time chicken is on the menu.

The Best Chicken Marinade on chicken

The Best Chicken Marinade

  • It’s so easy to create your own marinade for chicken using this basic recipe!
  • Tailor the herbs and spices to your liking or add some to bbq sauce to make a savory glaze!
  • Make the marinade in advance so the flavors can blend and allow plenty of time for the chicken to marinate.
  • Shake it up and use it on any recipe for chicken breasts, drumsticks, thighs, or wings!
  • Add chicken marinade to pieces before freezing so it’s pre-seasoned and ready to cook. Simply thaw and grill!
Chicken Marinade and seasonings over chicken breasts

Chicken Marinade Ingredients

  • Acid – This recipe uses red wine vinegar and a bit of lemon juice as the acidic components which help break down the meat making it more tender (be sure not to marinate too long!).
  • Fat – We prefer vegetable oil or avocado oil over extra virgin olive oil as it has a neutral flavor.
  • Salt & Sugar- Soy sauce adds salt, and umami (and helps the exterior of the chicken brown a little bit). Brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness but also caramelizes well on the grill.
  • Flavor – Garlic powder (or fresh minced garlic cloves) and herbs or spices with a bit of Dijon add great flavor.  

Variations

  • Vinegar – Switch the red wine vinegar for balsamic, apple cider vinegar, or lime juice in place of the lemon.
  • Sugar – Brown sugar can be replaced by honey or maple syrup.
  • Flavors – Sprinkle in a little basil, parsley, rosemary, and red pepper flakes in place of Italian seasoning mix. Try a bit of lemon zest or fresh herbs if you have them.
Chicken Marinade and seasonings over chicken breasts in a bowl with parsley

How to Make Chicken Marinade 

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl or freezer bag.
  2. Marinate chicken in the refrigerator between 1 and 6 hours (as per the recipe below).
  3. Discard used marinade.

Serve this chicken over salad or tuck it into a bun to make grilled chicken sandwiches!

Quick Tips

  • Keep fresh marinade in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for a few days.
  • You can use this on bone-in or boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
  • Marinate in a bowl, freezer bag, or baking dish. Do not marinate in a metal bowl or container.
  • If you have extra (unused marinade!), add a little to veggies before grilling or your other favorite side dishes for a punch of flavor.
  • Use this chicken marinade to season chicken whether it’s pan-fried on the stovetop, grilled, or baked.
  • Cook marinated chicken breasts on the grill until a meat thermometer reaches 165°F, about 7-8 minutes per side. Let the chicken rest before serving.

More Marinade Recipes We Love

Did your family love this easy Chicken Marinade? Leave us a comment and a rating below!

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The Best Chicken Marinade on chicken
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The Best Chicken Marinade

This easy marinade makes the perfect juicy chicken and can be tailored to suit any meal!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 4
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Ingredients  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Marinade

  • cup vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions 

  • Combine all marinade ingredients in a small bowl or a freezer bag.
  • Add chicken and marinate at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours.
  • Grill, bake, or broil as desired.

To Grill Boneless Chicken Breasts

  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat and cook chicken 7-8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Rest 3-5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Keep fresh marinade in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for a few days.
  • This is enough marinade for up to 2lbs of chicken, the recipe can be doubled.
  • You can use this on bone-in or boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
  • Marinate in a bowl, freezer bag, or baking dish. Do not marinate in a metal bowl or container.
  • If you have extra (unused marinade!), add a little to veggies before grilling or your other favorite side dishes for a punch of flavor.
  • Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 tablespoon of the marinade as most of the marinade will be discarded.
  • Nutrition information does not include chicken as this can be used on bone in or boneless chicken with or without skin.
4.97 from 196 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 52 | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 134mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dressing, Sauce
Cuisine American
chicken with The Best Chicken Marinade and writing
marinating chicken in The Best Chicken Marinade with finished dish and writing
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close up of The Best Chicken Marinade with chicken in a bowl with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Excellent! Considering the ingredients, a batch of this marinade should keep in the fridge easily for 6-9 months. For example, just look at commercial marinades.5 stars

    1. Hi Jimmy, there are no preservatives in this marinade so it doesn’t last as long as the store-bought versions. We recommend storing for only a few days.

  2. I tried it with bone-in chicken thighs. I grilled them for 10 minutes on each side and they came out great!5 stars