Description

This flavorful chicken marinade recipe combines a blend of olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, and herbs to create a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Ideal for grilling chicken breasts, this marinade tenderizes the meat while infusing it with rich and aromatic notes, resulting in juicy and delicious grilled chicken every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade Ingredients

½ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup balsamic vinegar or other vinegar
¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
⅛ cup lemon juice
¾ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard or Spicy Brown mustard
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder

Protein

6 chicken breasts (approx. 3.5 lb total)

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Instructions

Main Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, dried rosemary, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk all ingredients together thoroughly until the brown sugar dissolves and the mixture is well blended.
Marinating: Place the chicken breasts into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat. Reserve half a cup of the marinade separately before sealing for later use.
Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade and place on the grill. Grill each side for 5-6 minutes, occasionally basting with the reserved marinade to keep the chicken moist and flavorful. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Resting: Once grilled, remove the chicken from the heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy chicken.
Optional Sauce: Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until the marinade reduces slightly and thickens to a sauce consistency. Serve this savory sauce alongside the grilled chicken for added flavor.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes but no more than 24 hours to avoid overly soft texture.
Use low sodium soy sauce to keep the sodium content moderate, or adjust seasoning accordingly.
Always boil reserved marinade to eliminate any bacteria from raw chicken before serving as a sauce.
Can use other cuts of chicken, but adjust grill time accordingly.
For indoor cooking, the chicken can be cooked on a stovetop grill pan or baked in the oven at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.