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The BEST All-Purpose Chicken Marinade for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken

Close-up of two grilled chicken breasts coated in a dark, herb-flecked chicken marinade, glistening in sunlight.
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This is the go-to, game-changing chicken marinade that guarantees incredibly juicy and flavor-packed chicken every time. It uses simple pantry staples and works perfectly for grilling, baking, air frying, or pan-searing.

Ingredients

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  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes until fully combined. This creates your all-purpose chicken marinade.
  2. Place your chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, or tenders) into a large zip-top bag or a shallow, non-reactive dish.
  3. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are fully coated.
  4. Seal the bag or cover the dish. For best results, marinate chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. For maximum tenderness, you can marinate up to 8 hours.
  5. Remove the chicken from the marinade before cooking. Discard any leftover marinade.
  6. Cook the chicken using your preferred method: grill over medium heat, bake at 400°F (200°C), air fry at 375°F (190°C), or pan-sear until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Notes

  • This marinade is freezer friendly. Place raw, marinated chicken in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
  • For chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness before marinating to promote even cooking and tenderness.
  • This recipe works well for both chicken breast marinade and chicken thigh marinade.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://frostedfancies.com/best-all-purpose-chicken-marinade-for-juicy/