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Oh how I do love firing up a grill for some chicken. That wonderful aroma that fills the air. My stomach growling in anticipation. Be it on a gas grill or over charcoal, I love my chicken. I’m usually a boneless, skinless thigh kind of guy. I love the extra flavor that the fattier cuts give me. But, breasts will do just fine too. Or any bone-in piece. Heck, just as long as it’s chicken. I always marinate first, using what I consider to be the best marinade for grilled chicken. This marinade adds flavor, makes the meat tender, and keeps everything nice and juicy. Perfect every time!

Flavor Galore

I call this the best marinade for grilled chicken because time and time again, using it has resulted in perfectly flavored, moist chicken. Oh I’ve tried my share of bottled marinades (I really do like the marinades from Brianna’s), and there are some really great ones on the market. But they aren’t cheap. And few are as tasty as this one. Just combine the ingredients, add the chicken, and let it get happy for 2-4 hours. Then it’s time to fire up the grill and get to making greatness!

Plus, I wanted to use the word ‘galore’ in a blog post. And now I have.

Baste Away

If you love this marinade as much as I do, you can also use it as a basting sauce. Just reserve some of the mix before adding it to the chicken. Then, brush it onto the meat as it cooks. Boom. Things just got even better!

Grill Flare-Ups

Fats in meats can cause flare-ups on your grill. That’s usually ok. Just move the meat to a part of the grill that isn’t over direct flames and the fire will die down. Oils in your marinades, though, can cause flare-ups and worse, impart a bad flavor to your meats. This marinade does contain oil. To prevent flare-ups, shake any excess marinade off your meat before transferring it to the grill. I usually start my meats off over indirect heat, a little ways away from the flames. The oils will drip down harmlessly into the grill. Then I can move the meat over to direct heat if I am looking for a good sear or those pretty grill marks.

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Also try my delicious steak marinade!

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5 from 1 vote

The Best Marinade for Grilled Chicken

Great perfectly flavored, moist chicken…. Every time.

Course Marinade

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, marinade

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4 30

Servings

Calories 227kcal

Ingredients

For the chicken

3 pounds chicken thighs or breasts or any other cuts

For the marinade

½ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic minced. Add more if you like garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt I added a few big pinches more
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Place the chicken in a large resealable container.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Taste. You may want to add more garlic and/or salt.
Pour over the chicken. Seal the container and give it a few good shakes.
Refrigerate for 2-4 hours, Shake the container every hour or so so that every piece gets some marinade time.
Grill as desired. I recommend shaking off any excess marinade before placing the chicken onto a hot grill.