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This recipe is by far The Best Chicken Marinade I have ever tried. Inspired by Bob from Every Day Is Feast Day, the simple sweet and savory ingredients make for one unforgettable meal.
Whether you’re grilling chicken breasts, smoking thighs, or cooking drumsticks for a family dinner, this versatile marinade works with any cut of chicken and comes together in just a few minutes. Fire up the grill and get ready to make your new favorite chicken marinade!
Looking for more deliciously grilled chicken recipes, try my Pickle Brined Chicken, Sweet Tea Smoked Chicken, or Peri Peri Chicken.
Table of Contents
- What Makes This the Best Chicken Marinade?
- Ingredients needed to make The BEST Chicken Marinade
- How to make The BEST Chicken Marinade?
- How to perfectly grill Chicken Thighs
- Recipe Tip
- What to Serve with Grilled Chicken
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- More Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes:
- The BEST Chicken Marinade Recipe
What Makes This the Best Chicken Marinade?
Every ingredient serves a purpose. Instead of relying on bottled marinades loaded with preservatives and extra sugar, this homemade version balances savory, sweet, and smoky flavors for perfectly seasoned chicken.
The oil helps distribute flavor while keeping the chicken moist. White vinegar gently tenderizes the meat, honey balances savory flavors, garlic brings bold aroma, and a blend of herbs and spices creates a well-rounded seasoning that pairs with almost any side dish.
The result is chicken that’s flavorful enough to stand on its own while still complementing your favorite sauces, vegetables, and sides.
Ingredients needed to make The BEST Chicken Marinade
- Chicken: I used chicken thighs for their fattiness and flavor. However any cut of chicken will work.
- Honey: balances the acidity with a touch of sweetness and helps create gorgeous caramelization on the grill.
- Garlic: freshly grated garlic cloves provides bold, aromatic flavor that’s essential in a great chicken marinade.
- Mustard: Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and richness that complements grilled chicken beautifully.
- Olive oil: the base of the marinade and helps emulsify the ingredients to help coat the chicken evenly.
- Vinegar: adds acidity without overpowering the remaining ingredients. Keeps the meat tender and juicy.
- Seasoning: I used my All Purpose seasoning which is the perfectly poultry blend consisting of salt, pepper, paprika and garlic.
How to make The BEST Chicken Marinade?
There are so many delicious marinade recipes that sometimes it’s hard to decide. Depending on flavor profile, protein and cuisine. I have my share of marinade recipes, but this one has to be The BEST Chicken Marinade I have tried in a long time.
Simple ingredients that you most likely have in the kitchen, it’s savory, sweet, tangy and works with almost every flavor profile.
In a large bowl, freshly grate garlic cloves. Add equal parts honey and dijon mustard. Add Dad’s All Purpose seasoning and gradually start adding olive oil while mixing the ingredients together.
Once everything is evenly blended, add in the chicken thighs and make sure they are fully coated.
Place the container in the fridge and marinate for at least 1-2 hours preferably 4.
Dad’s Seasonings
Must have grillin seasonings!
How Long Should You Marinate Chicken?
One of the biggest mistakes people make is either not marinating long enough or marinating too long.
For the best results:
- Chicken breasts: 2–6 hours
- Chicken thighs: 4–12 hours
- Drumsticks: 4–12 hours
- Wings: 2–8 hours
- Whole chicken: Overnight (8–24 hours)
Avoid marinating chicken in citrus-based marinades for more than 24 hours, as the acid can begin to break down the meat and create a mushy texture.
How to perfectly grill Chicken Thighs
Unlike white meat, chicken thighs are fattier which requires cooking them to a higher temperature. Don’t worry, you will not over cook the chicken. The last thing you want is have dried meat after just have them sit in The BEST Chicken Marinade.
Preheat the grill to high direct heat about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the marinaded chicken thighs directly on the grates and flip after about 2-3 minutes. The bottom should be caramelized with a nice bold sear.
Remove the thighs once they reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, that’s higher than the standard 165 degrees for chicken. This is because thighs are fattier and require more time for the fat to render down. Trust me you will not over cook the chicken.
Recipe Tip
If you are grilling chicken breast, then remove at 160 degrees.
ALWAYS use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking.
Don’t forget to rest the chicken. At least 10 minutes before serving. This will slow down the cooking process and bring the meat to its final temperature of 175 degrees. The juices will redistribute throughout the meat which will result in tender juicy meat with every bite.
What to Serve with Grilled Chicken
Complete your meal with some of these backyard favorites:
- Elotes inspired corn salad
- Chicago Style pasta salad
- Grilled Caesar salad
- Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic bread
Final Thoughts
A great marinade can turn even the simplest chicken dinner into something everyone looks forward to. This homemade chicken marinade combines savory garlic, tangy mustard, sweet honey and just the right balance of seasonings to create juicy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for any occasion.
Whether you’re grilling for a summer cookout, smoking chicken on the weekend, or making a quick weeknight meal, this easy recipe is The BEST Chicken Marinade that will keep you coming back to. Mix up a batch, fire up the grill, and enjoy tender, flavorful chicken that’s sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
No. Once the marinade has been in contact with raw chicken, it should be discarded. If you’d like extra sauce for serving, reserve a separate portion before adding the raw chicken.
Yes, absolutely. This marinade is very versatile with savory and sweet flavors that work well on most proteins.
More Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes:
Chicken & Turkey
Pineapple Throne Chicken
Chicken & Turkey
Smoked Turkey Breast
Chicken & Turkey
Easy Marry Me Chicken Soup
Chicken & Turkey
Over The Top White Chicken Chili
If you tried The BEST Chicken Marinade or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the📝 comments. I love hearing from you!
The BEST Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 8 Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup Olive oil
- 1 tbsp All purpose seasoning
- 1/2 tbsp White vinegar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, freshly grate garlic cloves. Add equal parts honey and dijon mustard. Add the All Purpose seasoning and gradually start adding olive oil while mixing the ingredients together.
- Marinate in the fridge ideally for 4-6 hours.
- Preheat the grill to high direct heat about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the marinaded chicken thighs directly on the grates and flip after about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the thighs once they reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rest 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Always marinate in the refrigerator.
- If you are grilling chicken breast, remove it off the grill at 160 degrees.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep the juices inside.
