Grilled Chicken Marinade
This flavorful grilled chicken marinade combines olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, garlic, smoked paprika, oregano, black pepper, and salt to create a perfectly balanced, tender, and juicy chicken. Easy to prepare and ideal for grilling, this marinade infuses deep, smoky, tangy, and savory notes that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken, making it a delicious choice for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend barbecue.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (grilling time varies based on chicken cut and thickness)
- Total Time: 40 minutes to 24 hours, depending on marinating duration
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust as needed)
Main Ingredient
- Chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, or drumsticks) – amount as desired for grilling
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl or a large ziplock bag, combine the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey (or brown sugar), minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt. Whisk or shake well until all ingredients are fully mixed.
- Coat the chicken: Add your chicken pieces to the marinade, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated with the mixture to maximize flavor absorption.
- Marinate: Seal the bowl with plastic wrap or close the ziplock bag securely. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor, marinate for up to 24 hours.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade and grill until cooked through and juices run clear, usually 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Rest and serve: Let the grilled chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender meat.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, ensure to use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- Marinate chicken longer for more tender and flavorful meat, but avoid exceeding 24 hours to prevent texture breakdown.
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor impact.
- This marinade is versatile and works well with other proteins like turkey or pork.
- Adjust salt quantity based on the saltiness of your soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken serving with marinade
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: grilled chicken marinade, easy chicken marinade, smoky chicken marinade, lemon garlic chicken, backyard barbecue chicken, summer grilling recipe
Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/grilled-chicken-marinade-recipe/
