Best Chicken Marinade

The BEST Chicken Marinade ever! A super flavorful, tangy marinade made with a secret ingredient that’s probably right in your refrigerator!

You can also use this marinade recipe with pork and turkey, too! Whether you cook it on the grill or in the oven, you’re going to end up with the most flavorful, juicy chicken ever!

sliced grilled chicken breast on a board

 Why We Love This Chicken Marinade

So, how much chicken do you guys eat??? If you’re like us and so many people we know – the answer is A LOT.

That’s why finding the best chicken marinade recipe is so important! When you’re eating a lot of something like grilled chicken, you want the flavor to be addictive.

Our kids literally grab this chicken as soon as it comes off the grill…or even the little pieces while it’s still on the grill, sometimes they can’t wait.

Or if you’re like our teenager you’ll just walk by the platter and grab yourself a whole chicken breast, eating while walking to your room.

ingredients for chicken marinade recipe

Chicken Marinade Ingredients

  • Pickle Brine (from your favorite jar of pickles!)
  • Soy Sauce
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh Garlic
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Salt and Pepper

This is the best chicken marinade for a couple of reasons. One reason is obviously the flavor! The secret ingredient in this recipe is pickle brine. Yep, the juice from the pickle jar gets poured right into this marinade.

Don’t be freaked out if you don’t like pickles, either. Dan doesn’t like pickles and he seriously LOVES this chicken. You really don’t taste a “pickle” flavor when you eat it, just a delicious, tangy flavor.

The other reason we love this chicken marinade recipe is that it’s ingredients, like the pickle brine, make the chicken super moist and juicy. Whether you cook it in the oven or on the grill, it’s going to be the best chicken you’ve ever tasted.

chicken breasts marinating in glass dish

How Long Do You Need To Marinate The Chicken?

We like to marinate the chicken for quite a few hours before it hits the grill or the oven. You’ll want to marinate the chicken at least 6 hours but overnight will give you the best results.

Like I said before, you can bake the chicken in the oven too but it’s summer time right now and we’re all about throwing everything we can on the grill!

Cooking time for your chicken will depend on how big your chicken breasts are, or really whatever cut of chicken you’re using. Because you can also use this on a whole, butterflied (spatchcocked) chicken or chicken thighs or legs too. Or on turkey and pork!

Make sure the temperature of your chicken is at about 165 degrees so that you know it’s cooked through, but a good way to test it is by cutting into it and seeing if the juices run clear.

marinated, grilled chicken breasts on a platter

No More Dried Out Chicken Breast!

When I tell you guys that this marinade produces the most flavorful, juicy chicken I really mean it. Once your chicken comes off the grill, cover it with foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes.

Seriously look at all that juice coming from the chicken…and once you cut into it there’s even more. Because no one likes dry chicken that you have to cover in some sort of sauce or dressing to even get down. No one.

This marinated chicken is so flavorful, you don’t need to serve it with any sauce on the side. But if you love doing the dip… you can try it with our addicting Awesome Sauce or homemade honey mustard sauce like we use on our pork taquitos.

grilled chicken breast on platter

What Sides Can I Serve With Chicken?

There’s plenty of side dishes to choose from, if you’re not eating this chicken straight up or cut up in a salad. Here’s a few ideas for you!

sliced, grilled chicken breast on board with juice

We hope you guys love this recipe as much as we do! It’s perfect for meal planning and lunchboxes, make a few pounds of chicken at a time and have it for the week ahead! 

Looking For More Marinade Recipes?

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sliced grilled chicken breast on a board

Best Chicken Marinade

  • Author: Dan
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 Cup 1x

This is the BEST Chicken Marinade ever! Super flavorful, tangy chicken that’s never dried out thanks to this powerhouse marinade recipe!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup pickle brine (from your favorite jar of pickles!)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl or container. Whisk until all ingredients are combined, then pour over chicken, pork or turkey.
  2. Marinate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  3. Grill or bake the chicken to your liking!

Recipe Notes

This marinade recipe is enough for about 2 pounds of chicken, it can be easily doubled if you need more!

Pro Tip: Make double or triple batches of this marinade, freeze in freezer bags making sure to carefully press the air out. When you want to marinate the next batch of chicken just grab a bag of marinade from the freezer and let it defrost for about 30 minutes at room temperature. Add your chicken and marinate in the refrigerator.

  • Category: Marinade
  • Method: Stir
  • Cuisine: American

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9 Responses
  1. Ashley

    Seriously the BEST marinade! I didn’t alter it in any way except I added some crushed red pepper since my husband and myself like more spice. I marinated boneless skinless chicken breast that had already been butterflied for about 7 hours and then tossed on the grill. They were moist and so flavorful!! The next day I threw cold leftovers with some cauliflower rice and it was just as amazing the next day, and cold!!!






    1. Dan

      Crushed red pepper sounds like a great addition! I’m definitely going to try that next time, thanks for writing in, so glad you liked it!

      1. Lori

        Making this for the second weekend in a row but this time is for a large group. It’s just that good!! The chicken is so flavorful as well as juicy. It’s a keeper! Thanks for the recipe!






  2. Debra Young

    I made this chicken tonight and it was moist and delicious.Will have a sandwich tomorrow with lettuce, tomato and Mayo. Yum
    BTW I have used a lot of your recipes and loved them all.






  3. Tricia

    I’ve made this so many times now and realized that I’ve never left a comment. So delicious!!! I highly recommend making this marinade!!






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