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The Best Chicken Marinade

The Best Chicken Marinade
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Discover The Best Chicken Marinade that elevates flavors, tenderizes meat, and makes every bite juicy and delicious. This perfectly balanced marinade combines tangy lemon juice, sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and aromatic herbs to transform simple chicken dishes into unforgettable meals. Ideal for grilling, baking, or pan-searing, it infuses your chicken with deep flavor and tender texture in just minutes of preparation.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 3 tablespoons Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Honey (or maple syrup/brown sugar as a variation)
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Herbs (thyme or oregano)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Gather Your Ingredients: Measure out all ingredients and pat the chicken dry to help the marinade adhere better.
  2. Mix the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, dried herbs, and black pepper until well combined.
  3. Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken pieces in a shallow dish or resealable bag, pour the marinade over them, and ensure each piece is evenly coated.
  4. Refrigerate and Rest: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2-4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
  5. Cook as Desired: Grill, bake, or pan-sear the marinated chicken until fully cooked and beautifully caramelized on the outside.

Notes

  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
  • Do not marinate longer than 24 hours to avoid mushy texture; 2-4 hours is ideal.
  • Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve a better sear and prevent steaming.
  • Reserve some marinade for basting or sauces, but do not reuse marinade that touched raw chicken.
  • Thicker cuts like chicken breasts or thighs benefit most from marinating.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken marinade, easy chicken marinade, flavorful chicken, tender chicken, grilling marinade, baking marinade, pan-searing marinade, gluten-free chicken marinade

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