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The BEST All-Purpose Chicken Marinade for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken

Close-up of several pieces of grilled chicken thighs showing char marks, coated in a sticky glaze from the chicken marinade.
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This is your go-to, simple chicken marinade recipe designed to give you tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken every time. It works well for grilling, baking, or pan-searing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until fully combined. This is your flavorful chicken marinade.
  2. Place your chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, or wings) into a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
  3. Pour the entire chicken marinade mixture over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated well.
  4. Seal the bag or cover the dish. If using a bag, gently massage the marinade into the chicken.
  5. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for the best results. For maximum flavor, you can marinate overnight.
  6. Remove the chicken from the marinade before cooking. Discard any leftover marinade.
  7. Cook the chicken using your preferred method: grill over medium heat, bake at 400°F (200°C), or pan-sear until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Notes

  • For the juiciest chicken, use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
  • This marinade is excellent for meal prep; marinate chicken on Sunday for dinners throughout the week.
  • If you are grilling, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes after removing it from the refrigerator before placing it on the grill.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/best-chicken-marinade-for-juicy-meat/