Best Damn Chicken Marinade

Add some big flavor to your chicken with this delicious Chicken Marinade. This easy recipe uses pantry staples, so you can whip it up anytime you need a quick and tasty dinner. Thinking about firing up the grill? We’ve included a bonus grilled chicken recipe to help you get started!

So Simple, So Satisfying Chicken Marinade

There are so many ways to marinate chicken, but this has to be the best grilled chicken marinade I’ve made in ages. It’s funny how the simplest marinade ingredients can create such delicious flavor. It just goes to show that sometimes simple is best!

I love making a big batch of this stuff to have on hand. This allows me to effortlessly prepare some delicious, flavorful chicken whenever the craving hits. It really is one of my favorite ways to season chicken. 

Ingredients

• Olive oil: Every marinade needs some healthy fats. We’re using olive oil today.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest add brightness and acidity to the marinade.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy kick that’s incredibly good.
• Worcestershire sauce: Lea & Perrins is my favorite, but any brand works!
• Brown sugar: It’s always good to round out the flavors with a little sweetness.
• Salt & black pepper: The ultimate flavor enhancers.
• Garlic: Everything is better with garlic!
• Flat-leaf parsley: Gotta have herbs to finish things off! Fresh flat-leaf parsley gives the best flavor, but dried parsley can be used if needed.
• Chicken breast: You can use any cut of chicken, really, just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts here.

How to Make the Best Chicken Marinade Recipe

1. In a medium bowl, add all the ingredients.
2. Give everything a good whisk until everything’s mixed nicely.
3. Next, pour the mixture over your uncooked chicken.
4. Stir or toss it around to make sure the chicken’s fully coated.
5. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour. For the best flavor, marinate overnight.
6. Cook the chicken however you like, or check out my favorite grilling method below!

What to Serve with Marinated Grilled Chicken

What’s great about this grilled chicken marinade is that it is versatile enough to pair with various side dishes, whether it’s a simple macaroni salad or a more elaborate vegetable medley. 

If salad is what you’re going for, I recommend my BLT Pasta Salad, Ramen Noodle Salad, or Watermelon Feta Salad – all super flavorful and refreshing. For dessert, my Grilled Peaches or No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie are perfect summer treats. And don’t forget to sip on this Pineapple Coconut Cooler Mocktail while you’re at it!

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover marinade in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the marinade for future use. The chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat, you can either grill the chicken again for a few minutes until heated through or warm it in the microwave. For best results, let the chicken come to room temperature before reheating.

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