Chicken Marinade for the Grill ( Juicy & Flavorful)

If you want juicy, flavorful grilled chicken every time, this easy chicken marinade for the grill is a must-try. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s perfect for summer BBQs, cookouts, and easy weeknight dinners.

The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful and tender it becomes. This has become one of our go-to marinades for consistently juicy grilled chicken.

We enjoy grilling all year long and love how easy grilled meals are for family dinners and outdoor cooking. This chicken marinade works great both for outdoor grills and indoor grill pans. Looking for more inspiration? Browse all our grilled recipes. 

Chicken Marinade For The Grill 

This recipe for chicken marinade is flavorful. You can make ahead of time and let your chicken marinate in the mixture (while refrigerated) until it's grilling time. What you get is a tasty, tender chicken packed with flavor! 

Ingredients for Chicken Marinade

• 4-6 (large) Chicken Breasts or any regular-size package of chicken
• Spices: 1 Tablespoon Oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 Jalapeno pepper or poblano pepper
• 1-2 Limes or bottled lime juice
• (1/4 cup) Orange juice
• 6 Garlic Cloves
•  1/4 cup Olive Oil

Helpful kitchen tools

1. Large container for the marinade or a gallon-size Ziploc plastic bag
2. Tongs
3. Plate or Platter
4. Meat Thermometer
5. Hands-free bag holder with clips
6. Garlic Press

You will need a grill for this recipe, but you could adapt it for baking if it's not grilling season. Or use an indoor grill (this is the one we have). 

How to Make Chicken Marinade for the Grill

How To Make Chicken Marinade

Instructions 

Begin by prepping your garlic cloves, jalapeno, lime, and orange. 

1. First, mince your garlic cloves or crush them in your garlic press.
2. Next, seed and finely chop your jalapeno. 
3. Squeeze and juice your lime and orange into a bowl. 
4. Measure and add 1/4 cup olive oil into the same bowl as the citrus juices. 
5. Measure out your spices as follows; 1 tbsp. oregano, 1-1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper
6. Mix all the ingredients. 

Then add the chicken into a large container for the marinade or Ziplocks bag (this is what I used) and pour the marinade into the container or Ziplock bag. 

Seal or cover the bowl after mixing. Place the chicken with the marinade in the refrigerator for 2 hours or more, up to overnight. 

How to Grill Marinated Chicken

1. Take the chicken out of the fridge.
2. Rub an oil-soaked paper towel over the grill grates (before it is hot). This helps keep the chicken meat from sticking. 
3. Heat the grill. 
4. Remove the chicken from the Ziplock or Container (discard excess marinade). Add the chicken to a 375°F setting (medium/high). Close the grill top to reduce the chance of flare-ups. 
5. Grill on one side until the chicken turns white halfway.
   
   
6. Turn the chicken over and continue to grill until fully cooked. 
7. Test your chicken with a meat thermometer. Continue to cook until it reaches close to the minimum internal temperature for chicken (INTERNAL TEMPERATURE FOR CHICKEN 165°F), then take it off the grill, cover, and let it rest for several minutes.

Image credits ©Theresa Huse DearCreatives.com

Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy! 

What Best to Serve with Grilled Chicken

Side dishes we like to serve with this grilled chicken recipe are tossed green salad, corn on the cob, and other fresh vegetables. You can microwave potatoes or bake the potatoes (if you start them before grilling) and even serve them with Mexican rice or rice pilaf.

The combinations are endless, including using canned vegetable staples such as green beans, corn, or a three-bean salad. 

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Yield: 4-6

Chicken Marinade For The Grill (Juicy & Flavorful)

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This chicken marinade for the grill makes juicy, flavorful chicken every time. Made with simple pantry ingredients, the longer the chicken marinates, the more tender and delicious it becomes. Perfect for grilling, BBQs, and easy family dinners.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 4-6 Chicken Breasts (large)
• 1 Tablespoon Oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• 1 Jalapeno pepper or poblano pepper
• 1-2 Lime or bottled lime juice (1/4 cup)
• Juice from 1 Orange 
• 6 Garlic Cloves
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil

Instructions

How to make the chicken marinade for the grill

1. Begin by prepping your garlic cloves, jalapeno, lime, and orange. 
2. First, mince your garlic cloves or crush them. 
3. Next, seed and chop your jalapeno finely. 
4. Squeeze your lime and orange into a bowl. 
5. Measure and add 1/4 cup olive oil into the same bowl as the citrus juices. 
6. Measure out your spices as follows; 1 tbsp. oregano, 1-1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper
7. Mix all the ingredients together. 
8. Then add the chicken into a large container for the marinade or Ziplock bag (this is what I used) and pour the marinade to the container or Ziplock bag. 
9. Seal or cover the bowl, after mixing. Place the chicken with marinade into the refrigerator for 2 or more hours, up to overnight. 

How to grill the marinated chicken

Take the chicken out of the fridge.

Rub an oil-soaked paper towel over the grill grates. This helps keep the chicken meat from sticking. 

1. Heat the grill. 
2. Remove the chicken from the Ziplock or Container (discard excess marinade). Add the chicken on a 375°F-degree setting (medium/high) Close the grill top to reduce the chance of flare-ups. 
3. Grill on one side until the chicken turns white halfway.
4. Test your chicken with a thermometer. (INTERNAL TEMPERATURE FOR CHICKEN 165°F Must be reached for the chicken to be cooked.)
5. Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy! 

Notes

• The juice for the orange is equal to about 1/4 cup.
• The video I included has additional marinades and meal planning ideas.
• You can omit using plastic bags by putting the chicken and marinade in a deep dish and mixing, then rotating chicken in the marinade after some time prior to grilling or cooking.
• When grilling check for flair ups, continue cooking. If needed move chicken further from heat source. Finish grilling with lid open if needed.
• Chicken cook time may vary depending on if the chicken is thick, has bone-in, or is boneless.
• Roughly 8-12 minutes on each side. (adjusting as needed) And until the minimum temperature of 165 degrees F is reached.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 148Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 69mgSodium 83mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 25g

Not all nutritional information is always 100% accurate.

Tips For Grilling Chicken

• Use a meat thermometer for best results. Chicken is perfectly cooked when the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove it from the grill right at this temperature to avoid overcooking.
• Don’t cook on too high heat. Medium-high heat works best for grilled chicken (about 375–450°F). This helps the chicken cook through without burning on the outside.
• Let it rest before slicing. After grilling, let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes so the juices stay inside and the meat stays tender.
• Oil your grill grates. Lightly oiling the grill helps prevent sticking and keeps the chicken from tearing when you flip it.
• Don’t over-flip the chicken. Let it cook undisturbed for a few minutes on each side so it develops good grill marks and caramelization.

FAQ

How long should I marinate chicken for the best flavor?

For best results, marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor and more tender chicken, marinate it for 4–12 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

Can I use this chicken marinade for different cuts of chicken?

Yes. This marinade works well with chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and even chicken wings. Just adjust cooking time depending on the thickness of the cut.

Can I cook this chicken on an indoor grill?

Yes. This chicken marinade works great on an indoor grill pan or stovetop grill. Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

More Grilling Recipes

1. Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe
2. Grilled Steak Carne Asada Verde 
3. Steak Marinade Recipe
4. Grilled Chicken Salad with Ginger Dressing 
5. Grilling Recipes Hub

Pin it for Later

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