Ultimate Zesty, Juicy Grilled Chicken Marinade
A simple, versatile marinade that uses acid and oil to tenderize chicken breasts, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat perfect for grilling or baking.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Marinating
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, pepper, salt, and paprika until well combined.
- Place your chicken breasts in a large, resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are fully coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish.
- Refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness. Do not marinate longer than 4 hours due to the acid content.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, discard the excess liquid, and cook using your preferred method (grill, bake, or pan-sear).
Notes
- For best results with chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness before marinating.
- This marinade works well for chicken thighs, but you can extend the marinating time to 6 hours.
- If you plan to freeze the marinated chicken, use a freezer-safe bag and freeze immediately after adding the marinade. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz raw chicken breast
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 60