The Ultimate Lemon Garlic Balsamic Chicken Marinade for Perfectly Juicy Grilled Chicken
Unlock the secret to incredibly flavorful, juicy, and tender grilled chicken with this ridiculously easy-to-make marinade. Crafted from a blend of bold, savory, and tangy ingredients like lemon, garlic, and balsamic vinegar, this recipe promises to elevate your chicken dishes to a whole new level. Say goodbye to dry, bland chicken and hello to a culinary experience that will have everyone asking for your secret!
Are you tired of serving chicken that lacks zest and moisture? Imagine biting into a piece of chicken that’s bursting with flavor, so succulent it practically melts in your mouth. This homemade marinade is the answer to all your chicken dilemmas. Designed to infuse any cut of chicken with rich, dynamic tastes, it uses a simple combination of pantry staples to deliver extraordinary results.
Whether you’re planning a lively backyard barbecue, a casual get-together with friends, or simply seeking an effortless yet delicious weeknight meal, this olive oil-based chicken marinade is your new go-to. It’s an easy weeknight recipe that you’ll undoubtedly want to keep in your regular rotation, impressing family and guests alike with its profound depth of flavor and irresistible tenderness.
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Chicken Marinade Recipe
- Effortlessly Simple to Create: Forget complicated recipes and long ingredient lists. This marinade comes together in mere minutes with just a handful of everyday items. The synergistic blend of zesty citrus and robust, savory components creates a harmonious flavor profile that perfectly seasons your chicken, making it incredibly easy to achieve gourmet taste at home.
- Unforgettably Delicious Results: The primary goal of any marinade is to enhance flavor and tenderness, and this recipe excels on both fronts. The chicken emerges from the grill, oven, or skillet incredibly juicy, moist, and infused with a rich, balanced taste that is both tangy and savory with a hint of sweetness. It’s so good, you’ll want to make extra just for salads, sandwiches, or even meal prepping throughout the week!
- Incredibly Versatile for Any Occasion: This isn’t just a marinade for chicken breasts! Its adaptable nature means it works beautifully with various chicken cuts, including succulent thighs, crispy wings, drumsticks, or even whole spatchcocked chicken. Beyond chicken, you can experiment with pork, firm fish, or even vegetables. Plus, the ingredients are easily customizable to suit your personal taste preferences, making it a truly flexible recipe for any cook.
The Simple Ingredients for a Bold Grilled Chicken Marinade
Crafting this powerhouse marinade requires a selection of readily available ingredients, ensuring both ease of preparation and cost-effectiveness. Each component plays a crucial role in developing the marinade’s complex flavor and tenderizing properties. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive Oil: The base of our marinade, olive oil helps to carry the fat-soluble flavors into the chicken while keeping it moist during cooking. It also aids in achieving a beautiful sear on the grill.
- Balsamic Vinegar: This provides a wonderful tang and a subtle sweetness, contributing to the chicken’s tender texture through its acidity. It also adds a rich, dark color and depth of flavor.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: A key umami booster, soy sauce brings a savory, salty dimension to the marinade without overwhelming it. Using low-sodium ensures you can control the overall saltiness.
- Honey: For a touch of natural sweetness that balances the acidity and savoriness. Honey also helps with caramelization on the grill, giving the chicken a delicious, slightly crispy exterior.
- Lemon (Juice and Zest): Fresh lemon is indispensable. The juice provides bright acidity, which helps to tenderize the chicken, while the zest contains potent oils that deliver an intense, fresh citrus aroma and flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy, and slightly spicy kick. Dijon also acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind the oil and vinegar together in the marinade.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This fermented condiment is a flavor bomb, bringing a savory, slightly sweet, and tangy taste with notes of umami. It deepens the overall complexity of the marinade.
- Garlic (Minced): Fresh garlic is a must for its aromatic, pungent flavor that complements chicken perfectly. Use fresh for the best results!
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the other flavors. Adjust to your personal preference.
- Chicken Breasts (or your preferred cut): While the recipe specifies chicken breasts, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, drumsticks, or wings. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
How to Make This Flavorful Chicken Marinade from Scratch
Creating this marinade is incredibly straightforward, involving just a few simple steps to prepare your chicken for an explosion of taste and tenderness.
Step 1: Combine All the Ingredients. In a large, resealable bag (or a non-reactive bowl), thoroughly combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice and zest, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake the bag vigorously until all ingredients are well incorporated and emulsified.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken. Add your chicken pieces to the bag with the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Press out any excess air from the bag and seal it tightly. Place the bag in the refrigerator and allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 4 hours to fully absorb the flavors. For maximum flavor penetration and tenderization, you can marinate for up to 24 hours. However, avoid marinating for longer than 24 hours, especially with acidic marinades, as this can start to break down the chicken fibers too much.
Step 3: Cook to Perfection. When you’re ready to cook, preheat your grill to a medium-high temperature of 375°F (190°C). Make sure to clean and lightly oil your grill grates to prevent sticking. Carefully place the marinated chicken on the hot grill. Cook the chicken for approximately 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured by a reliable meat thermometer. Cooking times may vary based on the thickness of your chicken and the heat of your grill.
Step 4: Rest and Serve. Once the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature, remove it from the grill and transfer it to a clean cutting board or plate. Loosely tent the chicken with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes. This crucial resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in incredibly moist and tender chicken. After resting, slice, dice, or serve your perfectly marinated chicken as desired.
Expert Tips for the Best Grilled Chicken
- Don’t Skip the Resting Step: After cooking, it’s vital to let your chicken rest. This allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices that have migrated to the center during cooking. If you cut into the chicken too soon, all those delicious juices will spill out onto the plate, leaving you with drier meat. A 5-10 minute rest makes all the difference!
- Versatile Leftovers: This chicken is just as fantastic the next day! Use leftover grilled chicken to elevate salads, create flavorful sandwiches or wraps, or mix it into pasta dishes or quesadillas. It also pairs wonderfully with classic sides like rice, fluffy quinoa, or a medley of steamed veggies for a complete and healthy meal.
- Avoid Overcooking at All Costs: Overcooked chicken is dry, tough, and disappointing. The key to juicy chicken is cooking it to the correct internal temperature. We highly recommend using an instant-read meat thermometer and removing the chicken from the heat when it reaches 160-162°F (71-72°C). The temperature will continue to rise to 165°F (74°C) as it rests.
- Oven Baking Method: No grill? No problem! Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place the marinated chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Stovetop Skillet Method: For a quick stovetop option, heat a large skillet (cast iron works great) over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. If your chicken breasts are very thick, consider slicing them horizontally to create thinner cutlets for quicker, more even cooking. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
- Marinate Safely: Always marinate chicken in the refrigerator. Never marinate at room temperature for extended periods, as this can promote bacterial growth.
- Prepping Your Grill: Ensure your grill grates are clean before cooking. Brush them thoroughly and then lightly oil them with a high-smoke-point oil (like canola or vegetable oil) to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Don’t Reuse Marinade: Once the marinade has touched raw chicken, it should not be reused as a sauce unless it has been boiled vigorously for at least 5 minutes to kill any bacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Marinade
Yes, you absolutely can! To transform leftover marinade into a delicious dipping sauce, simply pour all the marinade ingredients (ensure no raw chicken particles are included if it has already touched chicken, or use a separate batch of fresh marinade for this purpose) into a saucepan. Bring it to a rolling boil and let it simmer for about five minutes. This process effectively kills any bacteria, making it safe to use as a flavorful sauce for your cooked chicken or any other protein.
Marinating chicken serves two primary purposes: to tenderize the meat and to infuse it with rich, complex flavors. The acids in the marinade (like lemon juice and balsamic vinegar) help to break down tough muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender bite. Simultaneously, the chicken absorbs all the wonderful herbs, spices, and liquids it’s submerged in, ensuring every mouthful is bursting with flavor rather than being bland and dry.
If you’re short on time, you can speed up the marinating process by increasing the surface area of the chicken. Cut the chicken into smaller chunks or thin strips before adding it to the marinade. Alternatively, pound thicker chicken breasts to an even thickness (about ¾-inch) to allow the marinade to penetrate more quickly and ensure faster, more even cooking.
Cooked marinated chicken can be stored safely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. This makes it an excellent option for meal prepping throughout the week.
Absolutely! You can prepare the marinade ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just remember to give it a good shake or stir before adding your chicken.
Delicious Side Dishes and Related Recipes
Complete your meal with these fantastic recipes that pair perfectly with our juicy grilled chicken:
- Old Fashioned Potato Salad
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Bacon Baked Beans
- Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff
- Asian Dressing
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
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Simple Marinade for Chicken
6
servings
Countryside Cravings
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20
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Ingredients
-
MARINADE: -
¼
cup
olive oil -
⅓
cup
balsamic vinegar -
¼
cup
low sodium soy sauce -
¼
cup
honey -
1
large lemon
juice and zest -
3
tablespoons
dijon mustard -
2
tablespoons
worcestershire sauce -
6
cloves
garlic
minced -
salt and pepper to taste -
6
chicken breasts
large
Instructions
-
In a large ziploc bag combine all the marinade ingredients. Be sure to zest your lemon first before squeezing out the juice. Add in the chicken and seal tightly. Marinate in the refrigerate for 4-24 hours.
-
TO COOK: Preheat grill to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Clean and oil the grates. Place chicken on grill and cook until you have and internal temperature of 165°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the grill but this usually takes 15-20 minutes on my grill.
-
When you have reached and internal temperature of 165°F, then remove chicken from grill, loosely tent with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve as desired.
Nutrition
Calories:
412
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
17
g
|
Protein:
49
g
|
Fat:
15
g
|
Saturated Fat:
3
g
|
Trans Fat:
1
g
|
Cholesterol:
145
mg
|
Sodium:
1149
mg
|
Potassium:
946
mg
|
Fiber:
1
g
|
Sugar:
15
g
|
Vitamin A:
78
IU
|
Vitamin C:
5
mg
|
Calcium:
34
mg
|
Iron:
2
mg
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