Best Chicken Marinade Recipe

I’m a big fan of grilling all summer long and the easiest way to approach grilling season is with a couple of trusty marinade recipes in your back pocket. The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar ensures a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors for the best grilled chicken flavor. And the acidic ingredients like lemon juice and balsamic vinegar help break down the proteins, making the chicken incredibly tender and juicy. For more deliciously good marinade recipes, check out my Sriracha Mayo Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops, Cornell Chicken, Marinated Steak Kabobs, Huli Huli Chicken, and Traditional Greek Marinade!

Why We Love This Recipe

Whether you’re using boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or tenders, this marinade works wonders. With ingredients like garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil, you can whip up a delicious meal without a trip to the grocery store.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Chicken Breasts or Thighs – This can be any cut of chicken, including chicken tenders, chicken legs, or boneless chicken breasts. Olive Oil – Adds richness and helps coat the chicken. Brown Sugar – Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken. Low-Sodium Soy Sauce – Adds a savory umami flavor. Fresh Lemon Juice – Adds acidity to tenderize the meat. Balsamic Vinegar – Enhances flavor with a tangy sweetness. Worcestershire Sauce – Adds depth and complexity. Minced Garlic Cloves – Provides a pungent, aromatic flavor. Smoked Paprika – Adds a smoky depth to the marinade. Kosher Salt – Enhances all the flavors. Ground Black Pepper – Adds a bit of heat and flavor.

How to Make The Perfect Chicken Marinade

Tips for Success

For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 4-6 hours in the zip-top bag. Overnight marination yields the most tender and flavorful results. Maintain a medium heat on the grill to cook the chicken evenly without burning the outside. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F internally. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes after grilling. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist and flavorful.

Substitutions and Variations

For more smoky Southwest heat, add 2 teaspoons each of ground chili powder and ground cumin with a pinch of cayenne pepper. Substitute olive oil with avocado oil. Use honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness profile. Tamari or coconut aminos are great gluten-free alternatives to soy sauce. Swap lemon juice with lime juice, or even orange juice, for a different citrus flavor. Regular paprika or chili powder can be used instead of smoked paprika for a different spice level.

More Flavorful Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Outback Alice Springs Chicken Bruschetta Chicken Orange Glazed Chicken Wings Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Chicken Parmigiana with Spaghetti Creamy Garlic Chicken Spicy Honey Chicken

You can serve grilled chicken over a bed of rice or quinoa for a more complete meal. These grains absorb the delicious marinade juices, adding extra flavor to each bite. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great side dish as it adds a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory chicken.