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The BEST Chicken Marinade Recipe

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4.2 from 22 reviews

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 55 minutes (including minimum marinating time)
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This flavorful chicken marinade recipe combines a blend of savory, tangy, and sweet ingredients to perfectly tenderize and enhance the taste of chicken breasts. Ideal for grilling, this marinade infuses every bite with a delicious balance of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and herbs. The quick marinade time makes it suitable for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive grilled dish for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar or other vinegar
  • ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • â…› 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

Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine all marinade ingredients including olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, dried rosemary, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and sugar is dissolved. Reserve half a cup of this marinade separately for basting and optional sauce preparation.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow container. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal the bag or cover the container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
  3. Preheat the Grill: When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Ensure the grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place chicken breasts on the grill and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side. While grilling, baste occasionally with the reserved marinade to keep chicken moist and flavorful. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear.
  5. Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from grill and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat for tenderness and juiciness.
  6. Prepare Optional Sauce: Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until slightly reduced and thickened, about 5 minutes. Use this reduced marinade as a delicious sauce to drizzle over the grilled chicken.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken at least 30 minutes but no longer than 24 hours to avoid texture changes.
  • Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the marinade.
  • Always boil reserved marinade before using it as a sauce to eliminate any raw chicken bacteria.
  • Grill chicken over medium-high heat to ensure proper cooking and nice grill marks.
  • Resting chicken after grilling is essential for juicy results.
  • This marinade also works well for chicken thighs or drumsticks with slight adjustment in cooking time.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

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Find it online: https://mettehelbak.com/the-best-chicken-marinade-recipe/