This grilled chicken marinade recipe results in moist, tender, juicy chicken every time! Use this easy grilled chicken marinade to make your favorite grilled or baked chicken recipes.
If you are searching for more flavor-building sauce and marinade recipes, check out my quick Sofrito recipe, a simple Homemade Marinara Sauce, this perfect Chili Oil recipe, and the super popular Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Sauce.
Jump to:
- Why We Love This Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe:
- What is the Purpose of a Grilled Chicken Marinade?
- What are the key elements of a good marinade?
- Grilled Chicken Marinade Ingredients:
- Instructions to make Grilled Chicken Marinade:
- Pro-Tips:
- How to Marinate Chicken
- How to Use Grilled Chicken Marinade:
- Storing and Reheating:
- FAQ:
- More Chicken Recipes to Try
- 📖 Recipe
- Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook when you make this recipe! I would love to see your creation, and give you a shoutout!
With grilling season just around the corner, you need the best grilled chicken marinade. There is no bland, dry chicken at my cookouts and barbeques because this sauce is the remedy.
With each mouthwatering bite of chicken, you will be so happy you used this recipe. This is bound to become your favorite chicken marinade!
Why We Love This Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe:
Easy Prep! This is made with ingredients you probably already have stocked in your kitchen and it is ready in less than 10 minutes.
Versatile! Use it on any cut of chicken whether it is chicken thighs, chicken breasts, drumsticks, chicken wings, or chicken tenders. It can even be used on vegetables, beef, fish, and pork.
Flavorful! Robust, savory, and tangy, with a hint of spice this is the only grilled chicken marinade recipe you will need.
What is the Purpose of a Grilled Chicken Marinade?
Marinade tenderizes and flavors the meat. Once the meat is marinated, you grill or bake it, and enjoy! Marinated chicken is succulent and flavorful.
Some of the ingredients in marinade, especially high acidic bases such as citrus and vinegar, help break down the enzymes in chicken which make it juicy and tender.
What are the key elements of a good marinade?
The best chicken marinades layer flavors. To alter this recipe, you need to understand the components of a basic chicken marinade recipe. Each ingredient has a purpose.
Acid: This helps tenderize the meat by breaking down the muscle fibers. Acids include citrus juices (like lemon juice and lime juice), balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar, and apple cider vinegar.
Salt: Salt helps the meat retain moisture, resulting in a juicy chicken. You can of course just use salt but soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce works too.
Flavors: The overall taste of the marinade is important because that is what adds flavor to the chicken. Components include seasonings, peppers, dijon mustard, and fresh herbs.
Fat: Oil is essential to a good grilled chicken marinade. It adds moisture and acts as the base of the marinade. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any oil you prefer.
Sweetness: This balances out the salty savory qualities in the marinade. Examples include brown sugar, molasses, and honey.
Grilled Chicken Marinade Ingredients:
- Green Bell pepper: This is added for a bit of spice. Add it roughly chopped.
- Parsley: A fresh herb enhances the overall flavor and brings a bright quality.
- Garlic: I use fresh garlic but garlic powder will work in a pinch.
- Red Onion: This helps tenderize the meat and adds a slightly sweet taste. Add it roughly chopped.
- Sun-ripened tomatoes: This adds a tart acidity to the marinade.
- Seasoning: Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Red wine vinegar: Sweet and tangy, this adds complex flavor.
- Olive oil: This oil is the base of this recipe and penetrates the chicken, ensuring that it stays moist. Use a high-quality oil for the best results.
Instructions to make Grilled Chicken Marinade:
Blend Ingredients
Roughly chop the bell pepper and onion so that it can fit into a blender.
Next add the bell pepper, parsley garlic cloves, onion, sun ripened tomato, salt, black pepper, vinegar, and olive oil directly into the blender.
Blend the marinade on high for 1-2 minutes, just until everything is combined and semi smooth.
Adjust Marinade for Desired Consistency
If the marinade is too thick, drizzle in more olive oil as you are blending until you get your desired consistency. You do not want the marinade to be too watery though.
Taste Test Chicken Marinade
Taste the marinade sauce for seasoning, and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Use right away with your favorite protein, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Pro-Tips:
- Easily double or even triple this grilled chicken marinade to use it for meal prep throughout the week.
- Once the marinated chicken is removed from the marinade, dispose of the marinade. Do not use it as a sauce or dressing because it contained raw chicken. If you want to use the marinade for other things, reserve a portion beforehand so you are not handling harmful bacteria.
- The longer the marinade sits, the more tender and flavorful your chicken will be.
How to Marinate Chicken
If using boneless chicken breasts, use a meat mallet to pound the chicken for an even thickness (this helps the chicken cook quicker and evenly later).
Then apply the marinade to the raw chicken, ensuring both sides are completely coated.
Place them in a zip lock bag for easy cleanup after. Make sure you squeeze the excess air out.
Allow the chicken pieces to soak for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before you plan to cook it so it can come to room temperature. It will cook faster and release less moisture.
How to Use Grilled Chicken Marinade:
This marinade may be perfect for grilled chicken recipes but it can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Grilled Chicken Wings: This of course works for anything you put on the grill but chicken wings will be super satisfying.
- Chicken Caesar Salad: Grill up some boneless chicken breasts, chop them, and toss them in your favorite salad for a healthy, wholesome meal.
- Sandwich: Use marinated and grilled chicken thighs to create the ultimate grilled chicken sandwich.
Storing and Reheating:
If preparing this ahead of time, the marinade will keep in the fridge for up to one week. Store it in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months.
FAQ:
How long should you marinate chicken for grilling?
Chicken needs to marinate for at least 30 minutes in order for it to be effective. If you have more time, 4 hours is better but 12 hours is ideal. Any longer than 12 hours and the chicken can become tough and chewy.
Is it necessary to marinate chicken before grilling?
Although it is not absolutely necessary to marinate chicken before grilling, you can definitely taste the difference. This grilled chicken marinade only takes 10 minutes and an additional 30 minutes to start working.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Smothered Chicken with Grits
- Blackened Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich
- Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
- Chicken Birria Quesatacos
- Chicken Jalapeno Popper Hot Pockets
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ Green Bell pepper roughly chopped
- ½ cup Parsley
- 3 cloves Garlic
- ¼ Red Onion roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons Sun-ripened tomatoes
- ½ tablespoon Salt more to taste
- 2 teaspoons Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil more as needed
Instructions
- Roughly chop the bell pepper and onion so that it can fit into a blender.
- Next add the bell pepper, parsley garlic cloves, onion, sun ripened tomato, salt, black pepper, vinegar, and olive oil directly into the blender.
- Blend the marinade on high for 1-2 minutes, just until everything is combined and semi smooth.
- If the marinade is too thick, drizzle in more olive oil as you are blending until you get your desired consistency. You do not want the marinade to be too watery though.
- Taste the marinade sauce for seasoning, and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Use right away with your favorite protein, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
johnny says
delicious