The best tasting, easy chicken marinade that will make any chicken incredibly flavorful and juicy. It’s so easy to put together in a few minutes with basic ingredients you probably already have. I’ve included instruction to cook the chicken on the grill, on stove-top, or in the oven.
Yes. As long as the marinade itself reaches the minimum safe temperature for cooking chicken (165ºF), which shouldn’t be an issue, since a substance you’re cooking chicken in will reach a given temperature long before the center of that piece of chicken will.
Why We Love This Chicken Marinade Recipe
I’m sure you have a ton of chicken in the freezer like I do. It’s a good thing to have a couple extra packs in the freezer for busy days or when I don’t feel like deciding on what to make. Easy chicken dinner, doesn’t have to be bland or or blah and with this marinade, you will have an incredibly flavorful chicken!
This recipe is great for any occasion – whether we need a quick dinner, or I need to impress guests with delicious chicken. No matter the occasion, this chicken always comes out juicy, moist, and bursting with flavor. It’s all thanks to the marinade because it combines all the flavor aspects like sweet, sour, salty, and tangy. It’s a perfect a balance of flavors for the chicken.
Added bonus if you grill the chicken on the charcoal grill and throw is some milk wood chips in a smoke box. The chicken will have an extra layer of smokey flavor. This chicken is amazing off the grill.
Oil – choose a neutral oil that also had a high burn point, which means they stand up well to higher temperatures. Choose an oil like avocado, vegetable, or canola.
Balsamic vinegar – this vinegar is hard to substitute because of its specific flavor. Choose a good quality balsamic vinegar.
Soy sauce – use low sodium soy sauce. If you need a gluten free option, use gluten free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos.
Honey – honey is a great sweetener option here, it’s provides sweetness and flavor.
Lime juice – it’s always best to squeeze fresh lime juice for the best flavor! I do not recommend using bottled lime or lemon juice because the flavor is quite different.
Garlic – use fresh garlic for the best flavor!
Dijon mustard – make sure to use Dijon mustard, do not substitute with yellow mustard!
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Chicken Marinade
Whisk all ingredients for the sauce in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined (1). Place chicken inside a durable zip-top bag and pour the marinade into the bag with chicken (2). Get air out of the bag and zip it closed.
Lay the bag on its side inside a rimmed baking dish (3) or another container and place it in the refrigerator. Let it marinate for at least 4-6 hours or overnight and up to 12 hours.
Marinated baked chicken
FAQ
Can you cook chicken in the same marinade?
Do you remove marinade before baking chicken?
Can you cook the meat in the marinade?
Can marinated chicken be cooked?
Can You marinate chicken breast overnight?
For even more flavor, marinate them overnight. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the marinated chicken breasts to a baking dish. Make sure to discard any excess marinade. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
How long do you marinate chicken before baking?
Marinating time is important for your chicken! It helps the chicken absorb the flavor but also keeps it moist and tender. Once the chicken is done marinating, I add them to a baking dish I’ve sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. You’re going to bake them at 400°F until they’re cooked through, about 35-45 minutes.
Can you cook chicken in a marinade?
Yes, you can technically cook chicken in its marinade. But you’ll want to know how doing so may affect your meal. A marinade is usually a concoction of acid (typically vinegar or lemon juice), oil (often olive oil ), and a collection of spices and herbs to make the sauce flavorful.
Can You marinate chicken too long?
Remember that despite what many may believe about marinades, it is very possible to marinate your chicken too long. Whatever you do, do not allow your chicken to sit in a marinade for two or more days. Doing so will destroy the fibers in the meat and yield a dish that is unappetizing. Can You Use Marinade as Sauce?