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The BEST All-Purpose Chicken Marinade for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken

Close-up of a perfectly cooked, juicy chicken breast showing a caramelized crust from the amazing chicken marinade.
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This recipe provides the best chicken marinade for achieving incredibly juicy and flavorful chicken every time. It uses simple pantry staples and works perfectly for grilling, baking, or air frying.

Ingredients

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  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until fully combined. This creates your flavorful chicken marinade.
  2. Place your chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, or tenders) into a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish.
  3. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated evenly.
  4. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate. Marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes. For best results and maximum tenderness, marinate for 2 to 4 hours. Do not marinate longer than 8 hours, especially for lean cuts like breasts.
  5. Remove the chicken from the marinade before cooking. Discard the remaining marinade.
  6. Cook the chicken using your preferred method: grill over medium heat, bake at 400°F (200°C), or air fry until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Notes

  • This marinade is excellent for meal prep; you can prepare several bags and freeze them for quick weeknight dinners later.
  • For extra zesty flavor, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the marinade mixture.
  • This recipe works well for chicken breasts, thighs, and tenders, providing tenderizing action for all cuts.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/best-chicken-marinade-juicy-flavorful-recipe/