Best Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe
Best Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe is an easy marinade recipe that will add zesty citrus flavor to your meal. Use this marinade recipe to make tender and juicy chicken every time. It’s so delicious!
Everybody’s Favorite Marinade
This recipe is also known as Big Ed’s Marinade. And it’s hands down everybody’s favorite marinade recipe around here.
This zesty marinade recipe was developed by our friends Big Ed and Mary Jo and has been served at countless summer BBQ’s and family gatherings.
Here’s What You Need
- corn oil – or any neutral flavored oil like canola oil or olive oil will do.
- lemon juice – fresh squeezed is best.
- green onion – use green tips and slices all the way down into the white.
- garlic – use fresh garlic.
- boneless skinless chicken breasts – This recipe works with any cut of chicken like boneless chicken thighs, legs, or tenders.
How to Make It
- Combine Ingredients. Add all ingredients to a gallon resealable bag, squeeze out the air, and seal the bag.
- Marinate. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes up to 10 hours.
- Grill. Grill over direct heat (medium-high heat) for 6 minutes on each side until internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with a meat thermpmeter .
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- Rest 5 Minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into it so that the juices reabsorb into the meat. That way, the meat stays juicy instead of the juices running out onto the cutting board or plate.
- Slice. Slice the meat against the grain. This will aid the tenderness of the meat.
Substitutions: A Guide To Marinades
Change Up the Flavors. Get creative with your flavors and make your own perfect marinade using your own combination of simple ingredients. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Oil – Use any neutral flavored oil. Common examples include canola oil, vegetable oil, or corn oil. Olive oil and avocado oil may impart a more pronounced flavor of their own.
Acid – Acidic ingredients like citrus or vinegar tenderize meat but can also “cook” the meat. So limit the marinating time to under 10 hours. Citrus juice like lemon juice, lime juice, or orange juice are common acids used in marinades. As are vinegars like balsamic vinegar, white vinegar, champagne vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
Salt – Don’t forget the salt!
Protease – Tenderizes meat by breaking down the protein. Good examples of proteases are soy sauce, ginger, or pineapple juice.
Fresh Herbs – Fresh herbs give a bolder flavor than dried herbs. Try few sprigs of rosemary, thyme, and oregano.
Dairy – Great meat tenderizer. For super tender meat without using oil, soak it in buttermilk or Greek yogurt for 30 minutes.
Meal Prep Tip
Store prepped bags of marinated meat in the freezer to take out as needed for easy weeknight dinners. Thaw a bag in the refrigerator overnight and it’ll be ready to cook the next day.