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Home Collections BBQ Recipes

BEST Grilled Chicken Marinades

By:Nagi
Published:28 Jun '19Updated:5 Jul '20
43 Comments
Recipe v Dozer v

My very BEST Grilled Chicken Marinades! Hand picked out of hundreds of chicken recipes I’ve shared over the years, these marinades are MADE for chicken cooked on the BBQ!

Get ready to see your neighbours’ faces popping over the fence when the chicken hits the grill!

BEST Grilled Chicken marinades

BEST Grilled Chicken Marinades

There’s several hundred chicken recipes on my website. And here are my picks for the BEST Grilled Chicken Marinades for your BBQ, the marinades that are especially good for chicken cooked on the BBQ!

Are you ready?? Here we go!

Grilled Lime Chicken marinade

Everyday Marinades

I call these my Everyday Grilled Chicken Marinades because these are the ones I make over and over again!

1. STICKY Grilled Chicken

This one’s a guaranteed hit with everyone! It tastes a bit like BBQ Sauce, a bit country style, and a whole lot of YUM! You’ll love how it’s made with pantry staples.

Basting Sticky Grilled Chicken

Ingredients: ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, sugar, olive oil

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

2. Honey Soy Chicken

Everybody’s favourite Honey Soy Chicken marinade! It does everything you expect from a marinade (tenderises, adds flavour), and gives it a lovely lacquered finish PLUS you get a glossy honey garlic sauce to smother the chicken and everything else on your plate.

Pour honey soy sauce over chicken

Ingredients: Honey, soy, garlic (lots!), vinegar, Chinese cooking wine / sherry (secret ingredient), sesame.

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs, breast

Make this marinade >>

 


3. My Back Pocket Chicken Marinade

This is the chicken marinade I make the most often because it’s made with pantry standbys. It tenderises, adds savoury flavour with a touch of sweet, and it’s quick to make. It’s my emergency marinade!

A GREAT everyday Chicken Marinade

Ingredients: brown sugar, olive oil, soy sauce*, lemon, Worcestershire, garlic, oregano, pepper
* The secret ingredient, acts as brine and adds flavour but does not make this taste Asiany at all!

Ideal for: Brilliant for chicken breast, also great for any cut of chicken.

Make this marinade! »

4. Lime Marinated Chicken

Grilled Marinated Lime Chicken on a plate, ready to be eaten

The lime flavour in this is really terrific! The key is using lime ZEST as well as juice – the zest is where most of the flavour is.

Ingredients: Fresh lime (zest and juice), garlic, soy sauce, olive oil

Great for: Especially great for breast, but will work for any cut of chicken.

Make this marinade! »

Asian Chicken Marinades

Cooking over charcoal is huge all across Asia! So it’s no surprise that I have a a handful of really great Asian BBQ chicken marinades. Here are my favourites!

5. Asian Chicken Marinade

This will always be remembered as the chicken that rendered my group of girlfriends silent…. It’s sticky, sweet, savoury, garlicky, gingery and totally delicious!

Asian Chicken Marinade

Ingredients: garlic, ginger, soy sauce, ketchup (secret!), oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine or mirin, sriracha, sesame

Ideal for: Chicken breast and boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

Make this marinade! »

6. Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

Long time personal favourite, the marinade I make over and over again for gatherings with friends! The Lemongrass Marinade is so good, I guarantee you will fall in love with it too!

Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Marinade

Ingredients: Lemongrass, lime juice, lots of garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar.

Ideal for: Chicken breast and boneless thigh if making noodle bowls. Can also use for bone in chicken.

Make this marinade! »

7. Thai Satay Chicken with Peanut Sauce

A satay coconut marinade infuses the chicken with flavour before cooking on the BBQ then served with the most UNBELIEVABLE Thai Peanut Sauce! Skewering is optional, the peanut sauce is not.😂 This is a fairly new recipe that’s quickly become a firm favourite among readers!

Thai Satay Chicken Marinade with Peanut Sauce

Ingredients: coconut milk, red curry paste, peanut butter, curry powder, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar

Ideal for: Boneless chicken thighs (breast also ok), bone in thighs

Make this marinade! »

8. Thai Grilled Chicken (Gai Yang)

Traditional Thai Street Food – in your own backyard! The smell when this is cooking is insane.. (as in –  insanely good!)

Thai Grilled Chicken_Gai Yang

Ingredients: lemongrass, garlic, lime, chilli, fish sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sesame, sugar, honey, pepper

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

9. Southern Thai Tumeric Chicken

The lesser known but equally delicious Thai Tumeric Chicken! I was hunting for this recipe for years and years after I sampled it in Thailand….

Southern Thai Tumeric Chicken marinade

Ingredients: garlic, fish sauce, oyster sauce, turmeric, fresh coriander/cilantro, sugar, pepper

Ideal for: Bone in thighs, also skinless boneless chicken thighs and chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

10. Thai Coconut Grilled Chicken

Thai flavours with the richness and fragrance of coconut milk…. it’s the taste of Asia! (Well, Thailand 😂)

Thai Coconut Marinated Chicken marinade

Ingredients: garlic, ginger, chilli, lemongrass, coriander powder, tumeric, curry, sugar, fish sauce, coconut milk

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast. Can also use bone-in thigh.

Make this marinade! »

11. Tandoori Chicken

All across India and neighbouring countries, Tandoori chicken is cooked not only in the traditional tandoor but also over charcoal. And it’s Amazing with a capital A!

Tandoori Chicken marinade

Ingredients: yogurt, lemon, ginger, garlic, coriander, cumin, tumeric, kashmiri, chilli powder, garam masala spice mix (subs available)

Ideal for: Bone in skin on chicken (drumsticks, thighs, Marylands, butterflied / spatchcock chicken) – longer cook time required to get that gorgeous Tandoori crust.

Make this marinade! »

12. Chinese BBQ Chicken (Char Siu)

The chicken version of the famous Char Siu Chinese BBQ Pork!

Chinese BBQ Chicken Char Siu marinade

Ingredients: garlic, soy sauce, hoisin, oyster sauce, honey, sugar, five spice powder, sesame

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

Mediterranean & Middle Eastern

Heavily spiced marinades smell amaaaaazing when cooked on the BBQ!

13. Chicken Shawarma

One of my signature recipes, I love making this heavily spiced Middle Eastern chicken for BBQ gatherings! Easy to make spreads with flatbreads, lettuce, yogurt sauce and/or hummus, tomato, onion and spiced rice pilaf to let everyone make their own wraps or plates.

Chicken Shawarma Marinade

Ingredients: coriander, cumin, cardamom, cayenne, paprika, garlic, lemon

Ideal for: Chicken breast and boneless thigh

Make this marinade! »

14. Greek Chicken Gyros

The marinade for this chicken is so good, I use it even when I’m not making Gyros! Yogurt is the secret ingredient – flavour carrier, tenderiser for this garlicky, oregano infused Greek chicken!

Greek Chicken Gyros - terrific Greek marinade!

Ingredients: yogurt, garlic (LOTS!), oregano, lemon, olive oil, vinegar

Ideal for: Chicken breast and boneless thigh

Make this marinade! »

15. Nando’s Copycat Peri Peri Chicken

I thought I was so clever making a copycat of Nando’s Peri Peri Sauce but it turns out, many people think they’ve cracked it too! I’m still loyal to mine though. 😂 One of my personal favourites. Make burgers or serve chicken as is!

Nando's Portuguese Chicken Burger_Peri Peri Sauce

Ingredients: fresh chilli, capsicum/bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, paprika, oregano, onion powder, sugar

Ideal for: Any cut of chicken suited to the marinade, but for burgers, skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

16. Chicken Doner Kebab

You’ve done the post-pub midnight run to the kebab shop. Now – make it at home! Use this to make Kebab Rolls OR plates with spiced rice.

Chicken Doner Kebab

Ingredients: yogurt, tomato paste, lemon, oil, garlic, coriander, cumin, paprika, cayenne, onion powder

Ideal for: Bones skinless chicken thighs

Make this marinade! »

17. Italian Marinated Chicken

It’s basically your favourite Italian Dressing used as a Marinade to infuse and tenderise chicken with fabulous Italian flavours!

Italian Marinated Grilled Chicken

Ingredients: white wine vinegar, garlic, olive oil, mustard, sugar

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

18. Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Loaded with classic Greek flavours of lemon, garlic and dried oregano, this one is fabulous for an outdoor BBQ! Skewering not essential – try it with whole breast or thighs!

Chicken Souvlaki marinade

Ingredients: Lemon, garlic, oregano, olive oil

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

Mexican

19. Chicken Fajita Marinade

The secret ingredient that makes this simple Fajita marinade so good is orange juice. It injects flavour as well as brining, makes the chicken caramelise beautifully. And it doesn’t taste like oranges at all once cooked!

Chicken Fajita Marinade

Ingredients: lime, orange juice (secret ingredient!), garlic, cumin, olive oil

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

20. Chipotle Marinated Mexican Grilled Chicken

Another one adapted from a Bobby Flay recipe, you’ll know just by scanning the ingredients that this is one flavour loaded marinade!

Mexican Chipotle Chicken Marinade

Ingredients: lime, orange juice (secret ingredient!), vinegar, garlic, chipotle, oregano, paprika, all spice, cinnamon, cayenne

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

TROPICAL!!

21. Coconut Marinated Chicken

Adapted from a Bobby Flay recipe, if you’re a coconut marinade first timer, you’re in for a lovely surprise! Coconut adds richness and injects a subtle hint of coconut flavour into chicken. Bonus: terrific coconut based serving sauce!

Coconut Marinated Chicken

Ingredients: coconut milk, lime, curry powder, paprika, ginger, garlic, hot sauce

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

22. Pineapple Coconut Hawaiian  Chicken Skewers

One bite of these Pineapple Coconut Hawaiian Chicken Skewers, and you’ll be doing the hula dance! The Hawaiian coconut and pineapple marinade infuses the chicken with tropical flavour as well as tenderising. Skewering not mandatory!

Coconut Pineapple Chicken Marinade

Ingredients: Canned pineapple, coconut milk, sugar, ketchup, lime, soy sauce, garlic, onion powder, cumin, paprika, ginger powder, cayenne

Ideal for: Skinless boneless chicken thighs are my first preference, followed by chicken breast.

Make this marinade! »

 


23. Huli Huli Chicken Marinade (Tropical Hawaiian Chicken)

There’s just no chance you don’t do a little Hula dance as you’re grilling these….

Close up of Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken with grilled pineapples

Ingredients: Pineapple juice, ginger, garlic, ketchup, soy, brown sugar, vinegar, sherry (secret ingredient!), sesame oil

Get the recipe >>

 

**************
Hmm……🤔🤔🤔 I’m sure I counted 21 recipes. But I’ve only got 20!  Ah well, I have a new one coming out in a few weeks – I’ll update this list! 😂 Updated with the new Sticky Grilled Chicken recipe – so now I have my full 21 Grilled Chicken Marinades! Updated with two new marinades that have been extremely popular with readers – Honey Soy Chicken Marinade and Huli Huli Hawaiian Chicken …so now I’ve got 23! 🙌🏻 – Nagi x

My Favourite Everyday Grilled Chicken Marinade

Here’s the recipe for my Everyday Chicken Marinade – full post is with glowing reader reviews here! It’s the chicken marinade I use the most because it does exactly what it promises – infuses chicken with flavour and tenderises – using ingredients I always have on hand. And it’s excellent grilled or cooked on the stove. Enjoy! – Nagi x

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Great Chicken Marinade

A great Chicken Marinade (great grilled or pan seared!)

Author: Nagi
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Marinating: 30 mins
Total: 15 mins
Mains
Western
4.99 from 68 votes
Servings4
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Recipe video above. This is a great everyday Chicken Marinade, one you make with things you've already got with plenty of sub options (see notes). It will make any cut of chicken extra juicy, infuse it with savoury flavour that's a touch of sweet, with a hint of herby goodness. Especially good for chicken breast, and terrific for grilling!

Ingredients

  • 700g / 1.4 lb chicken breast, tenderloins or thigh (Note 1)

Chicken marinade (subs Note 3):

  • 2 tbsp honey OR brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or any oil)
  • 5 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (or rosemary, thyme, minced herbs)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper , ground

Garnishes (optional)

  • Finely chopped parsley
  • Lemon slices

Instructions

  • Recommended: Pound breast to even thickness using a meat pounder, rolling pin, or fist. OR cut large ones in half horizontally to form 2 cutlets (steaks) for each.
  • Mix marinade in a ziplock bag (or container in which chicken fits snugly). Add chicken.
  • Marinate 3 hours to overnight, though even 30 minutes is effective. (Note 2)
  • Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, and cook chicken per times below until deep golden (see video). If browning too quickly, lower heat.
  • Transfer to serving plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 3 minutes before serving, garnished with parsley and lemon slices if desired. 

Cook times:

  • Whole breast and boneless thighs: 3 - 4 minutes each side (internal temp 165F/75C)
  • Cutlets and tenderloin - 2 minutes each side

Recipe Notes:

1. Chicken - marinade will work for any cut of chicken thought I mostly use skinless boneless cuts. 
Easiest to BAKE bone in cuts (breast, legs, thighs) - see Note 4.
2. Quick Marinade 30 min to 1 hr - cut breasts in half horizontally to form 2 thin steaks. For whole thighs or breast, poke a few holes in each breast using a fork. For drumsticks, cut a couple of slashes with knife.
3. Marinade subs:
  • Brown sugar - sub 2 tbsp white sugar, 1.5 tbsp honey, maple syrup
  • Soy - any normal, all purpose soy or light soy good here, or tamari, mushroom soy sauce. If you have sweet soy or kecap manis, skip sugar. Dark soy sauce not recommended (label will say "dark soy). 
  • No soy? Dissolve 1 tsp salt in 4 tbsp water, then use in place of soy sauce.
  • Only got DARK soy? Use 2 tbsp then add 3/4 tsp salt and 3 tbsp water instead of 5 tbsp soy sauce.
  • Lemon - sub with less sharp vinegars like cider vinegar, white wine or red wine vinegar, rice vinegar. Or 1.5 tbsp other vinegars (normal white vinegar, balsamic)
  • Worcestershire - dollop of ketchup or BBQ sauce would be a decent sub there! Say 2 tbsp, then cut down sugar. HP Sauce, steak sauce or other savoury sauces also good.
  • Garlic - 3 tsp from jar, or 3/4 tsp dried garlic powder good here. Also 1/4 tsp onion powder would be nice too.
  • Dried herbs - anything is the go here, go with what you like. Fresh won't really work here, too delicate unless doing a short marinade. Exception - fresh rosemary is terrific, 1 tsp finely chopped.
4. Baking directions - stove is best to get nice browning, but to bake, cook as follows:
  • Breast and boneless thighs - bake 18 minutes at 425F/220C oven, or internal temperature is 165F/75C, followed by quick grill/broil on high to brown
  • Drumsticks, wings and bone in thighs - 50 minutes at 180C/350F, basting with juices once or twice
5. Storage - Cooked chicken will be good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, I always reheat in microwave because it keeps it moist. If keeping cooked chicken, boneless thigh is best (stays juiciest).
Freeze raw chicken in marinade as soon as you make it up (chicken will marinade while thawing!). Thaw then cook per recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 243cal (12%)Carbohydrates: 8g (3%)Protein: 33g (66%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Cholesterol: 96mg (32%)Sodium: 1202mg (52%)Potassium: 622mg (18%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 45IU (1%)Vitamin C: 5.9mg (7%)Calcium: 21mg (2%)Iron: 1.2mg (7%)
Keywords: chicken marinade
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Life of Dozer

Dozer getting waaaay too close to the BBQ for my comfort! He was promptly shooed away after taking a photo 😂

PS To Aussies reading this, I don’t recommend the BBQ brand pictured below…. very uneven heat distribution. I don’t invest in BBQs because the salty air destroys them within 2 – 3 years, even though I keep them covered, wipe them down etc etc #FirstWorldProblems

Dozer golden retriever dog drooling over chicken on BBQ

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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43 Comments

  1. Michelle Gittings says

    December 11, 2022 at 1:16 pm

    Hi Nagi,
    Which chicken dish was it that you had on sunrise this morning? (December 11th). It looked delicious!

    Reply
  2. Nikita says

    August 25, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    Hi Nagi,

    Will it work if I freeze the chicken with the marinade and thaw it whenever I need?

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    May 18, 2022 at 6:07 pm

    5 stars
    Wow this marinade was so nice and the chicken was so tender. Even the critics (partner and a teen) loved it. This will definitely feature on rotation from now on.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 19, 2022 at 4:34 pm

      Woo hoo!! That’s great Karen! N x

      Reply
  4. Andrew says

    December 20, 2021 at 5:04 pm

    Haha! Loved the non-recommendation of the BBQ. After decades of cheap BBQs from Bunnings, I purchased a Weber 4-burner BBQ. I always thought they were for tossers until I bought one. The build quality is outstanding the heat distribution perfect.

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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