Grilled Chicken Marinade

The secret to super juicy and tender meat is this grilled chicken marinade. No one ever craves a dry piece of chicken, and the key to never making yourself a dry grilled (or baked or pan-fried) piece of chicken again is in this super easy, five-minute marinade.

This grilled chicken marinade is one of those set-it-and-forget-it recipes that, as long as you plan ahead a bit, will deliver incredibly delicious results with very little effort. It uses a few simple ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and honey, and it takes one bowl and maybe three minutes to whip together.

Learn how to make grilled chicken marinade. Once your chicken is marinated in this sweet-and-savory mixture, you’ll be able to cook the meat however you desire with whatever sides you want, because this is always a winner and pairs well with everything.

Ingredients for Grilled Chicken Marinade

Every recipe for grilled chicken marinade is a little different, but we like the combination of soy sauce, ginger, honey, and brown sugar. It delivers a sweet-and-savory flavor profile that's rich and pairs well with nearly anything you could want. Here's what you should gather to make this marinade:

• Soy sauce: This is the bulk of the grilled chicken marinade. If you don't like soy sauce or don't have it, you can use coconut aminos.
• Honey: Adds a delicate floral sweetness that will also help the meat caramelize when on the hot grill.
• Vinegar: We recommend rice vinegar or white vinegar. It provides a tartness that will balance the sweetness.
• Water: A little water makes the marinade go further to cover all the chicken.
• Brown sugar: Adds a hint of caramel and molasses. You can use light or dark, whichever you prefer.
• Sesame oil: This oil lends a delicate nuttiness to the marinade. If you don't like sesame oil, use a neutral oil like canola oil so that the chicken still gets some oil but won't compromise the flavor.
• Garlic: Punches up the flavor of the marinade.
• Fresh ginger: You can use dried ginger if you like, but fresh brings heat and sweetness in addition to a gingery bite.
• Red pepper flakes: For a touch of heat. Leave it out if you don't want the spice.
• Chicken: You can use any cut of chicken you like, whether it's chicken breasts, thighs, legs, or quarters.
  

How To Make Grilled Chicken Marinade

Most marinades come together in minutes without any cooking or special techniques. Here's a brief outline of the process; the full recipe is further below:

• Step 1. Combine ingredients: In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients, and whisk until incorporated.
• Step 2. Marinate chicken: Place chicken and marinade in a large bowl or ziplock bag together, and make sure the meat is covered.

After at least two hours (or up to 24 hours), cook the chicken any way you prefer. Grilling is especially great with this marinade because the honey and brown sugar help develop caramelized lines that increase the flavor.

How Long Should Chicken Sit in a Marinade?

To really get the flavors of this grilled chicken marinade infused into the meat, you’re going to want to let the chicken soak for at least two hours, but up to 24 hours. Putting the chicken and marinade together into a ziplock bag is the easiest way to do this, but a shallow bowl works too—you’ll just want to make sure the chicken is completely submerged, or you’ll need to be available to flip it a few times during the process to make sure all of it gets plenty of marinade goodness.

Can You Freeze Chicken While Marinating It?

You can freeze chicken that is in a marinade. In fact, this marinade freezes beautifully. Just place the prepared marinade in a freezer-safe ziplock bag with the chicken, and squeeze as much air out as possible. Lay the chicken flat to freeze. Make sure to mark the bag with the contents and date.

You'll have an easy, ready-to-go meal for the next time you don’t feel like having to plan ahead. Thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight, and cook as planned.

What To Pair With This Grilled Chicken Marinade

The beauty of this grilled chicken marinade is that it works well with everything. Add some rice or noodles and veggies for a chicken stir-fry night, or make a baked potato, and top it with this saucy chicken.

Chicken soaked in this marinade also makes for a delicious grilled chicken sandwich, on a salad, or even simply paired next to your favorite steamed vegetables for a light and flavorful meal.