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The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe 39.png

The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe for Juicy Grilled Breasts

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๐Ÿ— This marinade delivers juicy, flavorful grilled chicken breasts with tangy balsamic, savory soy, and caramelized brown sugar.
๐Ÿ˜‹ Perfect for family meals using pantry staples, tenderizing meat while creating a sticky, delicious glaze.

  • Total Time: 22 minutes + 4-8 hours marinating
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Optional: pinch of salt

Instructions

1-Make the marinade: Whisk soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic in a medium bowl until sugar dissolves (about 30 seconds); slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking, then stir in dried herbs and pepper. Optionally reserve 1/4 cup before using on chicken and boil it 3 minutes after cooking.

2-Marinate the chicken: Place 6 chicken breasts in zip-top bag or glass dish, pour marinade over, seal and massage to coat evenly; refrigerate 4-8 hours (minimum 30 minutes, maximum 24 hours). Let chicken sit out 15 minutes and pat dry with paper towels before cooking.

3-Grill the chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high (400-450ยฐF), oil grates with tongs and paper towel; grill dried chicken 5-6 minutes per side to 165ยฐF internal temperature. Brush with reserved marinade in last few minutes, then rest 5 minutes before slicing.

4-Oven-bake alternative: Preheat oven to 400ยฐF and line baking sheet; arrange dry chicken in single layer and bake 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, to 165ยฐF. Broil last 2-3 minutes for caramelization, watching closely to avoid burning.

5-Pan-sear alternative: Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high with 1 tablespoon oil; sear dry chicken 6-7 minutes per side to 165ยฐF.

Last Step:

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Notes

๐Ÿ— Marinate 4-8 hours maximum to prevent mushy texture.
๐Ÿฅฌ Use fresh lemon juice and garlic for brighter flavor.
๐Ÿ”ฅ Pat chicken dry and oil grates for perfect sear and crust.

  • Author: Thyme Louise
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Marinate: 4-8 hours
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 40g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg