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My super flavorful chicken marinade is going to be your secret to juicy, flavorful chicken! I use it all the time and not just on chicken! Trust me, you are going to be making this on repeat!
Why This Chicken Marinade Wins Every Time
- Juicy Every Time: This marinade locks in moisture for the most tender, mouthwatering chicken you’ll ever have! Throw it on salads, or with broccoli and rice for an easy meal prep dish!
- Grill, Bake, or Sauté: Works like magic no matter how you cook it. You can even use other meats, like salmon and steak.
- Better Than Store-Bought: Skip the bottle, I’m telling you, homemade wins on taste every time.
Ingredients for Chicken Marinade
- What type of chicken do I use? To begin with, use whatever cut you prefer—chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or chicken thighs. Each of these options works perfectly with this marinade.
How To Make The BEST Chicken Marinade
My chicken marinade recipe is easier than you’d think. Just add everything straight into a large ziplock bag, then toss in your chicken, and you’re done. It’s quick, easy, and so tasty.
- Combine: First, in a medium sized bowl or directly in the bag, add the olive oil. Next, stir in the red wine vinegar, minced garlic, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk to combine.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the marinade to a gallon sized bag along with 2 pounds of chicken. Seal the bag and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Remove the chicken from the marinade to cook, then discard the excess marinade.
Alyssa’s Pro Marinating Tips
- How long should I marinate? Ideally, at least 30 minutes. However, for the best flavor, marinate overnight in the fridge. Your chicken will be even more flavorful, and dinner the next day will feel so easy.
- Can I marinate too long? Yes! If chicken sits in the marinade for more than 48 hours, it can become dense and tough.
Cooking Methods
- Oven: Bake at 400°F for 22–25 minutes in a shallow pan. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- Stovetop: Heat a greased skillet over medium high heat. Cook marinated chicken for about 10 minutes per side, checking doneness with a meat thermometer.
- Grill: Grill over medium heat for 9–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove once internal temp hits 165ºF.
- Slow Cooker: Place chicken in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Storing Marinated Chicken
- Refrigerator: Store raw, marinated chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Cooked chicken will last 4–5 days.
- Freezer: Raw, marinated chicken can be frozen for up to 6 months. Cooked chicken can be frozen for 3–4 months. Use a freezer bag and press out as much air as possible before sealing.
- To Defrost: Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the fridge.
*Pro Tip: Add the marinade before freezing, so when you’re ready to cook, it’s already flavorful and ready to go! Makes it super quick and easy!
More Flavorful Marinade Recipes
A good marinade can really transform your meal! It adds bold flavor, tenderizes the meat, and keeps it juicy and delicious. Here are a few more of my go-to marinade recipes to try.
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Ultimate Chicken Marinade
This simple, flavorful chicken marinade guarantees juicy, tender chicken every time. It’s perfect for grilling, baking, or meal prepping.
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, add ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup red wine vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk to combine.
- Add the marinade to a gallon-sized bag along with 2 pounds of chicken. Seal the bag and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Remove the chicken from the marinade to cook then discard the excess marinade.
Video
Notes
Updated June 5, 2025
Storing Instructions: Store raw marinated chicken in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 6 months; cooked chicken lasts 4–5 days in the fridge or 3–4 months frozen.
Nutrition
Calories: 172kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 383mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 17IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
This is really a great marinade. I sometimes forget that fat is needed to make it all come together. Just perfect for plain chicken breasts.
This really is so great. Thank you for a flavorful quick chicken marinade that just elevates the plain breast wonderfully.