Description
This easy chicken thigh marinade blends savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors to infuse your chicken thighs with incredible juiciness and depth. Perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing, this versatile marinade ensures tender, flavorful results every time and is ideal for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Marinade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Optional Add-ins
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (for heat)
Instructions
- Mix the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, black pepper, and salt until fully combined. If using, whisk in Dijon mustard and red pepper flakes at this stage.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, or cover the dish. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 8 hours for maximum flavor.
- Preheat Cooking Surface: Depending on your chosen method (grilling, oven, or skillet), preheat your grill to medium-high, oven to 400°F (200°C), or heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Discard leftover marinade.
- Grilling: Grill chicken thighs for about 5-7 minutes per side, until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Baking: Arrange thighs on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Stovetop: Cook in a hot skillet for 6-8 minutes per side, until well browned and cooked through.
- Rest & Serve: Let chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides!
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate overnight.
- You can substitute lime juice for lemon juice or use a blend of both.
- This marinade works for bone-in or skin-on thighs but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Leftover cooked chicken thighs are great for salads, wraps, or meal prep.
- Always discard used marinade that’s touched raw chicken or boil it for 3 minutes to use as a sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 pound cooked chicken thighs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 170mg
