Ultimate All-Purpose Juicy Chicken Marinade
This recipe provides a simple, savory, and zesty marinade that keeps chicken breasts or thighs exceptionally juicy and flavorful, perfect for grilling or baking.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling or Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
- 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 olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, oregano, pepper, salt, and paprika until well combined.
- Place your chicken pieces (about 1.5 lbs total) into 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 for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best results. Do not marinate longer than 4 hours due to the lemon juice content.
- Remove chicken from the marinade, discard the excess liquid, and cook using your preferred method (grill, bake, or pan-fry) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- For extra tenderness, you can pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating.
- This marinade works well for chicken breasts, thighs, or cutlets. Adjust cooking time based on thickness.
- If you plan to freeze the chicken, place the raw, marinated chicken in a freezer-safe bag and freeze immediately after coating. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz cooked chicken
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 24
- Cholesterol: 75