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The Best Ever Grilled Chicken Marinade

The best ever grilled chicken marinade delivers juicy, tender chicken with balanced sweet, tangy, and savory flavor. Marinate for hours, then grill to 165°F for reliable results and clean grill marks.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken (any cut)
  • 2 lb chicken Use whole chicken pieces or bone-in/bone-out; adjust timing to reach temperature.
Marinade
  • 0.333 cup olive oil
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 garlic Minced before adding to the marinade.
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried herbs Use thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning.

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Make the marinade
  1. Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, brown sugar, black pepper, and dried herbs until smooth.
  2. Place chicken in a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over the chicken, then seal the bag.
Marinate
  1. Refrigerate the sealed bag for 4-24 hours so the chicken absorbs flavor while staying covered.
Grill the chicken
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Grill chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, timing varies by cut, flipping as needed for even cooking and grill marks.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest grilled chicken for 5-10 minutes before serving so juices redistribute for a tender bite.

Notes

For best flavor, turn the bag once halfway through marinating. Refrigerate cooked leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days; freeze cooked chicken up to 2 months (thaw in the fridge). If you want a lower-sugar option, use half the brown sugar and add an extra teaspoon of lemon juice for brightness.