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My Favorite Grilled Chicken Marinade

This easy all-purpose grilled chicken marinade made with olive oil, lemon, soy sauce, and smoked paprika produces juicy, flavorful chicken every time — perfect for salads, bowls, tacos, and more. Photos above show a double batch, so please check the weight of the chicken you purchase to see how much marinade you'll need to make.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinating Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1½ to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

  • Prep the chicken. If using chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness (about ¾-inch thick) for more even cooking. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  • Make the marinade. In a medium bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and honey until well combined.
  • Marinate. Add the chicken to a large bowl or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
  • Preheat the grill. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  • Grill the chicken. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Place on the grill and cook for 5–7 minutes per side, flipping once, until lightly charred and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Rest. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
  • Serve. Slice and serve warm with your favorite sides, or use in salads, bowls, wraps, tacos, and more.