The Best Chicken Marinade

The Best Chicken Marinade

June 22, 2022 5 Comments

This is easily the best chicken marinade recipe that I have to share. So simple to prepare and so much flavor.

The Best Chicken Marinade

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

If you’re looking for the best chicken marinade then search no further.

I’ve been making this one for years and it’s my absolute favorite.

the best chicken marinade cover

So easy to make and oh so much flavor.

Every ingredient plays a part in this marinade.

I love simple to make recipes like this.

marinated cooked chicken

Sometimes it’s so nice to plan a little bit ahead and let those incredible flavors really penetrate the meat.

Little effort for a big pay off if you ask me.

I make this chicken marinade for family dinners all the time.

the best chicken marinade being cooked in a grill pan

My family loves this recipe.

I also really like to these to BBQ’s because they’re so easy to toss right on the grill.

chicken being cooked

The chicken thighs really hold onto all of the flavors in the marinade and they come out so juicy every time.

the best chicken marinade done cooking

This one is always a hit when I make it.

I know if you give it a try that you’ll love this chicken marinade recipe, too. It really is the best.

Other Simple Marinades

If you like simple but delicious marinades like this one, here are a few more you’ll love, too.

the best ever steak marinade

Do I have to use chicken thighs?

Technically no you do not have to use chicken thighs but I do recommend them.

Chicken breasts or tenderloins would work here, too.

cubed chicken thighs

Chicken thighs are fattier then chicken breast and stay juicer when they’re being cooked.

It’s almost impossible to overcook them.

chicken thighs

If you’d like to use chicken breasts go ahead though. It’s up to you.

What to serve on the side with the best chicken marinade

There are so many options to serve with this chicken.

First, a vegetable would be a great addition.

Mexican Street Corn Casserole

Ranch butter corn, Mexican street corn casserole or roasted garlic and Parmesan broccoli would all be fantastic.

Next I’d add a carb of some kind. like a pasta, rice or potato.

crispy oven roasted potatoes

Try penne alla vodka or fettuccini Alfredo.

Crispy oven roasted potatoes or garlic Parmesan fries would be delicious, too.

the best vodka sauce

The sides you choose for this are completely up to you of course.

These are my suggestions only. Choose whatever you like best!

How should I cook the chicken?

I placed my chicken pieces into a skewer and cooked them in my grill pan.

grilling the beet chicken marinade

You can easily grill these outside or skip the skewers all together and just place them into a skillet.

I have never air fried them but I’m sure that would work also.

chicken thighs skewered

Just be sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° and is cooked all the way through.

Quick skewer tip:

If you’re going to cook these chicken thighs on a grill/grill pan like I did I have a tip for the skewers.

wooden skewers

Place the skewers in some cold water for a few hours to soak them before you add the chicken.

They will be much less likely to brown and burn that way.

chicken thighs on wooden skewers

This is especially helpful when grilling over an open flame.

The Best Chicken Marinade Ingredients

the best chicken marinade ingredients
  • Chicken Thighs
  • Olive oil
  • Brown Sugar
  • Soy Sauce
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Garlic powder
  • Lemon/ lemon zest
  • Thyme
  • Parsley fresh
  • Parsley dried (optional)

Instructions

First, cube up the chicken thighs into relatively equal pieces. About 2 inches big.

cubed chicken thighs

Next, add them to a medium sized bowl.

chicken thighs in a bowl

Now season them with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.

seasoned chicken thighs in a bowl

Then add the olive oil, soy sauce and brown sugar.

brown sugar

Then add the lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, parsley and thyme.

lemon juice

Mix everything together until it’s evenly combined.

the best chicken thigh marinade

Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge to marinate.

I like to leave it there overnight but if you don’t have that time just do it for as long as you can.

chicken in the marinade with plastic wrap

Now take the marinated chicken thighs and place them onto a wooden skewer.

the marinated chicken skewered

Then cook them on all sides in a grill pan over medium high heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165°

cooking the chicken skewers

Finally let them cool slightly and serve warm. Sprinkle them with some dried parsley if you’d like. Enjoy!

the finished chicken

The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe Video

The Best Chicken Marinade

This easy to make chicken marinade is packed with flavor and the absolute BEST.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken marinade’, chicken recipe, the best chicken marinade

Equipment

  • wooden/metal skewers

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds Chicken Thighs, boneless & skinless
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 3 tbs Brown Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
  • 1 large Lemon
  • Sat and Pepper to taste
  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tbs Garlic Powder
  • 2 tbs Parsley, Fresh- Chopped
  • 2 tbs Thyme, Fresh or Dried
  • Parsley, dried (optional)

Instructions

  • First, cut the chicken thighs into about 2 inch pieces and place them in a medium sized bowl.
  • Add all of the ingredients except for the dried parsley. Mix it all together, cover it and place it in the fridge over night.
  • Remove it from the fridge and place the marinated cubed chicken onto wooden or metal skewers.
  • Place the skewers on a grill pan over medium high heat. Cook them on all sides until the chicken is cooked all the way through. It should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
  • Sprinkle them with some dried parsley of garnish if you'd like. Let them cool slightly and enjoy!
Tara Ippolito

About Al Dente Diva

Tara Ippolito is a self taught home cook from New Jersey and cookbook author of Fast, Simple, Delicious. Better known as “T” across social media, she makes easy to follow recipes using familiar ingredients. T uses her Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest channels to share recipes and cooking tips for everyday people. Her motivation to share with her followers is simple. To inspire people to cook and become more comfortable in the kitchen.

As a wife and busy mother of two little boys she she’s always cooking fast family friendly meals. Sharing her kitchen with others that want to learn is a true passion of hers. As her social media platforms continue to grow she is committed to delivering consistently delicious content to her followers.

Al Dente Diva

Hello there! My name is T & I’m a home cook from New Jersey. I love to share easy to make recipes, cooking tips & kitchen hacks with people who love to cook like I do. My recipes are all easy to follow & use ingredients most people are familiar with. Being a busy stay at home mother of two, I have to cook delicious budget friendly meals that are fast to make. I hope you find something helpful here. Thanks for coming by.

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5 Comments

  • Elaine July 5, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    I saw a video where it looks like you marinated chicken then dabbed a sauce you made. I can’t find the sauce recipe. Can you help me out?

    • Al Dente Diva July 8, 2022 at 2:06 pm

      Hi! I might not have that one up yet. Was it with Catalina dressing?

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