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All-Star Grilled Chicken

Classic grilled chicken with an easy marinade that balances savory, tangy, and sweet flavors. Grilled until juicy with perfect marks and reaches 165°F internal temperature.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken pieces
  • 2.5 lb chicken pieces Use a mix of bone-in or boneless pieces; skin-on helps with moisture.
Marinade
  • 0.33 cup olive oil
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika

Equipment

  • 1 grill
  • 1 large mixing bowl

Method
 

Make the marinade
  1. Whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, brown sugar, black pepper, and paprika until smooth.
  2. Transfer the marinade to a resealable container or large bowl and set aside while you prep the chicken.
Marinate the chicken
  1. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, coat evenly, and refrigerate for 2-8 hours.
  2. Keep the chicken covered in the refrigerator so the marinade stays in contact with the meat for best flavor.
Grill the chicken
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
  2. Grill the chicken, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Watch for steady grill marks and doneness as the chicken finishes cooking through the thickest pieces.
Rest and serve
  1. Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.

Notes

Pro tip: Reserve no marinade for brushing unless it has been brought to a boil first—use only the marinade that touches raw chicken during marinating. Store cooked chicken in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freeze up to 3 months. For a lighter option, swap half the olive oil for low-sodium chicken broth while keeping the rest of the marinade the same.