Chicken Marinade

This flavor-packed Chicken Marinade does all the work so you don’t have to!

Marinating chicken is one of the easiest ways to impress someone with your culinary skills. Why? Because it takes very little effort but yields dramatic results. When I was new to this whole cooking thing, I learned quickly that marinating is a surefire way to serve up reliably tasty, tender chicken dishes your family and friends will love. This particular chicken marinade combines a list of ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen cupboards. I’d wager you’ll be able to enjoy this dish tonight!

What I like about this marinade recipe is that it’s a perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and tang—resulting in a succulently savory flavor. It’s versatile and quick to prepare, making it a favorite for both weeknight dinners and weekend barbecues. You can use it for grilling, baking, or pan-frying. Whatever cooking method you prefer, your marinated chicken is going to taste great!

Is This Chicken Marinade Healthy?

This chicken marinade can be part of a healthy meal. Olive oil provides heart-healthy fats, and balsamic vinegar and lemon juice add antioxidants and a dash of vitamin C. However, the marinade does contain a significant amount of sodium, even with low-sodium soy sauce. You can mitigate this by omitting the salt and soy sauce and using coconut aminos instead. Or, you could reduce the soy sauce by half and add mushroom powder or a little salt-free tomato sauce to maintain the depth of flavor.

There’s also a fair amount of sugar in the dish, largely due to the brown sugar ingredient. Those keeping an eye on their sugar intake may want to sub in a natural sweetener like honey. Still, when enjoyed occasionally and paired with plenty of vegetables, this marinated chicken can fit into an overall well-balanced omnivore diet.

Should You Pound Your Chicken Before Marinating?

Pounding your chicken isn’t always necessary, especially if you’re marinating overnight. After all, the marinating process can help tenderize the meat, but it mainly affects the surface. That being said, pounding your chicken does more than tenderize—it evens out the thickness, which ensures the breasts cook more evenly. Plus, a uniformly thin breast gives the marinade more surface area to work on, helping the flavors soak in better. Give it a try and see if it elevates your dish!

Serving Suggestions

This marinated chicken pairs well with a variety of sides. Serve it with Roasted Brussels Sprouts And Asparagus or a fresh Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. Sautéed Broccolini is another quick and easy side, and these Roasted Mini Potatoes are a real crowd-pleaser. Lighten things up with a colorful Cabbage Salad—or tempt your household’s pickiest eaters with marinated chicken atop Delicious Angel Hair Pasta!

Recipe