Description
This Best Chicken Marinade transforms ordinary chicken into juicy, flavor-packed perfection using a bright lemon-garlic base with sweet honey, savory soy, and herbs. It’s incredibly versatile — perfect for grilling, baking, pan-searing, or air frying, and ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend meals. Warm, approachable, and foolproof for every home cook.
Ingredients
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1/2 cup olive oil
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1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
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3 tablespoons soy sauce
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2 tablespoons honey
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 pounds chicken (breasts, thighs, or drumsticks)
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and Dijon mustard until well combined.
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Add the minced garlic, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Whisk again until all spices are fully incorporated.
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Place chicken in a large resealable bag or shallow dish.
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Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece gets a good coat.
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Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, preferably 4–12 hours for maximum flavor.
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Remove chicken from marinade and cook by your preferred method: grill, bake, pan-sear, or air fry until fully cooked and juicy.
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Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Notes
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Don’t reuse raw marinade — discard or boil before using as sauce.
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For deeper flavor, marinate up to 12 hours. Avoid citrus marinades beyond ~24 hours to protect texture.
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Pat chicken dry before cooking for better browning.
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Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F for safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling, Baking, Pan-Searing, Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg