Serve marinated chicken with a Fresh Corn Salad, Cowboy Caviar, Tuna Pasta Salad, or any BBQ side dishes.
If I were one of those recipe snobs who kept their favorite recipes under lock and key, then this recipe would definitely be declared TOP SECRET. But the fact that it’s such a special family recipe makes me want to share it here even more! I can say with total confidence that it’s my favorite chicken marinade recipe of all time!
Chicken Marinade Ingredients:
Soy sauce: a great flavor enhancer in marinade recipes. I use it in my steak marinade as well. Oil: Use canola or vegetable oil, which also help flavor the meat. Sprite: Adds sweetness and helps to tenderize the meat. 7-up would also work well. Garlic powder Horseradish: It may sound like an interesting ingredient, but I promise it wont make the chicken “spicy” at all–it just adds depth of flavor that blends perfectly with the soy sauce and the tang of the sprite.
How to Make Chicken Marinade:
- Choose type of chicken:
Chicken Breasts- If cooking on the grill or stove, slice chicken breasts in half before marinating to ensure they cook more evenly. Chicken tenders- I love how fast they cook on the grill. I will often thread the raw, marinated chicken tenders onto skewers (like these) and cook them on the grill that way. Chicken Thighs: Leave the skin on for grilling because it helps protect the chicken and keep it moist. If you don’t like eating the skin, peel it off after the chicken cooks.
Marinate: whisk together marinade ingredients in a bowl of plastic bag. Marinate chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 3 hours for chicken tenders or 6 hours for breasts and thighs.
Choose your cooking method:
On the Grill: First, oil your grill by soaking paper towels in canola oil and spreading oil on your grill grates. Place chicken on medium hot grill (not hotter than 450 degrees F to avoid drying out the chicken) and cook until chicken reaches 165°F. Cook chicken tenders for 4-5 minutes per side Cook chicken breasts for 7-8 minutes per side Cook chicken thighs for 6-7 minutes per side
On the stove: Grease your skillet or grill pan and heat it to medium high heat. Let excess marinade drip off chicken before placing in pan. Cook until chicken reaches 165°F or: Cook chicken tenders for 3-4 minutes per side Cook chicken breasts for 9-10 minutes per side Cook chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes per side
Baked in the Oven: Place chicken in a shallow baking pan and bake at 400°F or until chicken reaches 165°F. Cook chicken tenders for 15-20 minutes Cook chicken breasts for 25-35 minutes Cook chicken thighs for 50 minutes
- Serve:
Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:
To make ahead: Marinate chicken 3-6 hours ahead of time depending on the type of chicken you choose. Place marinating chicken in the refrigerator and remove 20 minutes prior to cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. To freeze: Place all marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag and shake the bag to ensure they are well mixed. Next add the raw chicken to the bag and place the bag laying flat in the freezer (it will be easier to store this way). Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Looking for more Grill Recipes? Check out my:
Chicken Kebabs Steak Kebabs Grilled Chicken Burgers BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Grilled Pizzas
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes! RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience. I originally shared this recipe June 2017. Updated May 2020 with process photos and additional tips for cooking different types of chicken on the grill or in the oven. This post contains affiliate links.
