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The Best Ever Grilled Chicken Marinade

The best ever grilled chicken marinade delivers juicy, tender meat with balanced sweet, tangy, and savory flavor. Marinate for hours for deeper seasoning, then grill to 165°F for foolproof results and clean, flavorful char marks.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinating 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken marinade
  • 2 lb chicken Any cut works; adjust grilling time by thickness.
  • 0.333 cup olive oil
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce Use regular or low-sodium.
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice Fresh or bottled both work.
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 garlic Minced (about 4 cloves).
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried herbs Thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning.

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Make and marinate
  1. Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, brown sugar, black pepper, and dried herbs until evenly combined and glossy.
  2. Place the chicken in a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it, pressing out excess air so the surface is coated.
  3. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4-24 hours for best results, turning the bag once halfway through when convenient.
Grill the chicken
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat so the grates are hot enough to sear on contact.
  2. Grill the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, adjusting timing based on cut and thickness.
  3. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to keep juices inside and improve texture.

Notes

Pro tip: If you can, use a meat thermometer and pull the chicken right as it hits 165°F for juicy results without overcooking. Refrigerate marinated chicken up to 24 hours; leftovers keep 3-4 days in the fridge and can be frozen for up to 2 months (thaw overnight in the fridge). For a lower-sugar option, reduce the brown sugar to 1 tbsp while keeping the rest the same.