Description
This Best Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors to enhance tender boneless chicken breasts. Marinated in olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika, this dish is an easy-to-make and delicious option perfect for grilling and summer cookouts, delivering juicy, flavorful chicken every time.
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 olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until fully combined, creating a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally up to 8 hours, to allow flavors to infuse.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, preparing it for cooking the chicken evenly and achieving a nice sear.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, turning once, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), indicating the chicken is cooked through.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps retain juices and enhances tenderness for a juicy eating experience.
Notes
- For best results, marinate chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight to deepen flavor.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken on a stovetop grill pan or bake it in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning by adding chili flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F (74°C).
- Leftover grilled chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
