Description
This Best Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe offers a flavorful and easy way to prepare juicy, tender chicken breasts. Marinated in a blend of olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, garlic, and spices, the chicken is grilled to perfection, making it an ideal main dish for any meal or barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until all ingredients are well combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish.
- Refrigerate: Keep the marinated chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse; for best results, marinate up to 8 hours but no longer to avoid texture changes.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, preparing it for cooking the chicken breasts evenly.
- Grill the chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring they are cooked through but still juicy.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving.
Notes
- Marinating for longer than 8 hours can sometimes affect the chicken’s texture.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness for safety and best results.
- This marinade also works well with other meats like pork or turkey.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the soy sauce used is tamari or gluten-free.
- Leftover marinade should not be reused unless boiled to kill bacteria.
