Description

This easy, juicy, and flavorful chicken marinade combines olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, and aromatic spices to create the perfect blend for tenderizing and enhancing the taste of chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks. Ideal for grilling, baking, or pan-searing, this marinade infuses the meat with delicious savory and tangy notes that make every bite irresistible.

Ingredients

Marinade Ingredients

1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

Main Ingredient

2 pounds chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks

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Instructions

Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and salt until the mixture is well combined.
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure all the pieces are evenly coated with the mixture. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate: Place the marinating chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For best results and deeper flavor, marinate for 2 to 12 hours, but do not exceed 24 hours to prevent meat texture deterioration.
Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any leftover marinade. Cook the chicken by your preferred method such as grilling, baking, pan-searing, or air frying. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Rest and Serve: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat.

Notes

For extra tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight but avoid marinating for more than 24 hours.
This marinade also works great for pork and vegetables.
For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the marinade.