These easy to make chicken marinades will make you love grilling again!

As a meal planner, chicken is definitely a staple protein in my weekly rotation. But let’s be real, it can quickly become a boring basic if you’re not careful. That’s why I love using marinades to add some extra flavor and excitement to my grilled chicken dishes. And the best part? These marinades are all super easy to make and only require a few ingredients. So say goodbye to boring chicken and hello to bursting with flavor!

Chicken Marinade Recipes

1. Lemon Herb: This marinade is light and fresh, perfect for summertime grilling. Combine the juice of 1 lemon, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried thyme in a small bowl. Place your chicken in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over top. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for even more flavor. Grill or bake as desired.
2. BBQ: This classic marinade is perfect for adding some smoky, savory flavor to your chicken. In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup BBQ sauce, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Place your chicken in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over top. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for even more flavor. Grill or bake as desired.
3. Asian: This marinade is sweet, savory, and just a little bit spicy. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 1 tsp sriracha. Place your chicken in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over top. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for even more flavor. Grill or bake as desired.
4. Chipotle: This marinade is smoky, spicy, and has a little bit of sweetness. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tsp cumin. Place your chicken in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over top. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for even more flavor. Grill or bake as desired.
5. Greek: This marinade is packed with classic Greek flavors like lemon, oregano, and garlic. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Place your chicken in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over top. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for even more flavor. Grill or bake as desired.
6. Mexican: This marinade is full of Mexican flavors like cumin, chili powder, and lime. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, the juice of 1 lime, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1 tsp paprika. Place your chicken in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over top. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for even more flavor. Grill or bake as desired.

Grilled Chicken Marinade

Here are a few tips for marinating and grilling chicken:

1. Plan ahead: It’s important to give your chicken enough time to marinate, so it’s best to plan ahead and marinate your chicken for at least 2 hours, or even better, overnight. This will help the flavors penetrate the chicken and give you a more flavorful final product.
2. Don’t overcrowd the grill: When grilling chicken, it’s important to give it enough space to cook properly. If you overcrowd the grill, the chicken will steam instead of grill and you won’t get those beautiful grill marks.
3. Use a meat thermometer: The best way to ensure your chicken is cooked to perfection is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
4. Let it rest: After grilling, it’s important to let your chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing into it. This will allow the juices to redistribute, giving you juicier, more flavorful chicken.

You can use this method for more than just chicken breasts, it also works great for chicken wing marinade.

Meal Planning Recipes

These are just a few of my favorite marinades to add some flavor to my basic grilled chicken dishes. With just a few simple ingredients, you can go from boring to bursting with flavor in no time!

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Checkout our PINTEREST page for more great recipe ideas!