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Close-up of grilled chicken breast with charred grill marks and garlic herb marinade
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Best Chicken Marinade Recipe

This all purpose chicken marinade is fresh, bright, and packed with flavor. Made with lemon, garlic, olive oil, and herbs, it delivers juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken that pairs effortlessly with any meal. This marinade works for any cut of chicken, including breast, thighs, drumsticks, and tenders.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Marinade
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Marinade
Servings: 4
Calories: 453kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken (breasts, thighs, tenders, or drumsticks)
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Make the Marinade:

  • Add oil and lemon juice to a small mixing bowl or large measuring pitcher. Whisk about 1 minute, or until well combined and emulsified. Add the salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs and whisk 30 seconds more.

Add Chicken + Marinade:

  • Add the chicken to a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Pour in the marinade, remove excess air, and seal. Massage the marinade over the chicken to coat evenly.

Marinate:

  • Place the bag on a rimmed pan or in a baking dish (to catch any leaks) and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
    Chicken Breasts | 30 minutes to 2 hours (max: 4 hours)
    Chicken Thighs + Drumsticks | 2-6 hours (max: 8-12 hours)
    Chicken Tenders | 30 minutes to 1 hour (max: 2 hours)

Remove the Chill:

  • If marinated longer than 30 minutes, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.

Prep for Cooking:

  • Remove chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Discard any leftover marinade. Transfer the chicken to a work surface and pat lightly with a paper towel to promote browning.

Cook as desired.

    Notes

    Nutrition is estimated and will vary depending on how much marinade is absorbed by the chicken. Excess marinade is discarded before cooking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 1427mg | Potassium: 874mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 72IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg