Description

This is the ultimate chicken marinade recipe that infuses juicy chicken breasts with a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Featuring a blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, herbs, and spices, this marinade elevates grilled chicken to a whole new level. Ideal for a quick 30-minute marinade or an overnight soak, it ensures tender, flavorful chicken every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

½ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup balsamic vinegar or other vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
⅛ cup lemon juice
¾ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard or Spicy Brown mustard
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder

Main Ingredient

6 chicken breasts or 3.5 lb chicken

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Main Marinade Preparation: Combine all marinade ingredients—olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, dried rosemary, mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder—in a large mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well emulsified. Reserve half a cup of this marinade for basting during grilling or for making a sauce later.
Marinating the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag or a covered container. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the container and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 24 hours to allow flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat.
Grilling the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place the breasts on the grill. Grill each side for about 5 to 6 minutes, occasionally basting with the reserved marinade to build flavor and maintain moisture. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Once done, remove from the grill and let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
Optional Sauce Preparation: Pour the reserved marinade that was not used on the raw chicken into a saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat and let it simmer until it reduces slightly and thickens into a flavorful sauce. Use this as a delicious finishing sauce to serve alongside the grilled chicken.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes but preferably overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Ensure to boil the reserved marinade before using it as a sauce to kill any bacteria from raw chicken.
Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the marinade.
Rest grilled chicken for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
Can be adapted for other cuts of chicken or poultry.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American