Juicy Grilled Chicken Marinade
This easy and flavorful marinade ensures juicy grilled chicken, perfect for weeknight dinners and barbecues.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 0.5 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil adds moisture and richness
- 3 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice provides acidity and brightness
- 2 tbsp Honey or Brown Sugar contributes sweetness
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard adds tang and depth
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder gives a savory flavor
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt enhances overall taste
- 0.5 tsp Freshly Cracked Black Pepper adds a mild heat
- 2 tbsp Fresh Italian Parsley, finely chopped for garnish and fresh flavor
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. Use a whisk to blend these ingredients until they are fully emulsified.
- Once your marinade is well-mixed, stir in the garlic powder, kosher salt, and half of the freshly cracked black pepper.
- Prepare the chicken by placing it in a resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is generously coated.
- Refrigerate the marinating chicken for at least 30 minutes, but you can allow it to sit for up to 4 hours.
- As the chicken marinates, clean and oil your grill grates to prepare for cooking, and preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Cooking
- Once the grill is ready, place the marinated chicken on the grates at a 45-degree angle. Sear the chicken for about 4 minutes.
- After the initial searing, rotate the chicken 45 degrees to create crosshatch grill marks. Cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over gently and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Brush the chicken with extra marinade or honey for added flavor before removing it from the grill.
- Allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and garnishing with chopped parsley and remaining black pepper.
Notes
For best results, oil the grill grates before cooking and use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Marinade longer for more flavor.