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The Best Ever All-Purpose Juicy Chicken Marinade for Grilling and Baking

Close-up of perfectly cooked chicken breast, sliced to show juicy interior, coated in a flavorful herb chicken marinade.
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Discover the secret to perfectly tender, flavorful chicken every time with this easy, homemade marinade. This recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a bold, zesty flavor profile that works great for grilling, baking, or meal prep.

Ingredients

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  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, oregano, basil, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes until fully combined. This creates your flavorful 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, making sure all pieces are evenly coated.
  4. Seal the bag or cover the dish. For best results, refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor and tenderizing. For chicken breasts, marinating overnight works well.
  5. When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Discard the leftover marinade.
  6. Cook the chicken using your preferred method: grill over medium heat until cooked through, or bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

Notes

  • This recipe is excellent for meal prep. Marinate a large batch and freeze portions raw for quick future dinners.
  • For a zesty kick, add the zest of one lemon to the marinade mixture.
  • This marinade works wonderfully for chicken thighs, which stay moist even with longer cooking times.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/chicken-marinade-best-juicy-tender-recipe/