Description
This Best Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe combines a flavorful blend of olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika to create juicy, tender grilled chicken breasts with a perfect balance of savory and sweet notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, then pour the prepared marinade over them, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish.
- Refrigerate: Refrigerate the marinating chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse, with up to 8 hours recommended for maximum tenderness and taste.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high temperature to prepare for cooking.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) ensuring the chicken is cooked through and juicy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes to redistribute juices before serving for optimal flavor and tenderness.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer enhances flavor and tenderness, but do not exceed 8 hours to prevent texture breakdown.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely and perfectly.
- The marinade can also work with other cuts of chicken like thighs or drumsticks with adjusted cooking time.
- For a spicier marinade, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- If grilling is unavailable, chicken can be cooked on a stovetop grill pan or baked in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
