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Grilled Chicken Marinade

Flavor-Packed Grilled Chicken Marinade for Juicy Perfection

Discover a flavorful grilled chicken marinade that transforms your poultry into a succulent delight with harmony of sweet and savory elements.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Sauces
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Marinade Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup Olive Oil or any neutral oil like canola or vegetable
  • 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar or substitute with red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce or tamari for gluten-free option
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce or liquid aminos as a soy-free alternative
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice fresh preferred, bottled works too
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar or honey/maple syrup substitute
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary or thyme/oregano as alternatives
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard or yellow mustard for milder taste
  • 1 teaspoon Salt adjusts to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper preferably freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder or fresh minced garlic for more intensity
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika or regular paprika for less smokiness
  • 3.5 lbs Chicken Breasts pound to uniform thickness for even cooking

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • meat mallet
  • Grill

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Begin by pounding the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness of about 1/2-inch.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, brown sugar, dried rosemary, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, minced garlic, and smoked paprika. Whisk until smooth.
  3. Divide the marinade in half, setting one portion aside for basting. Place the chicken breasts into a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
  4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F) and brush the grates lightly with oil.
  5. Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Place on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving. Flip, baste with reserved marinade, and cook the second side for another 5-6 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Heat the remaining marinade, boil it, and drizzle over the chicken before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgSugar: 8gVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 6mg

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding citrus zest or crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade.

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