This grilled chicken marinade is sweet, tangy, garlicky, and made with simple pantry ingredients like apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, citrus, brown sugar, and olive oil. It helps keep chicken juicy on the grill and gives it the kind of flavor that works for cookouts, meal prep, or an easy summer dinner.
Why This Grilled Chicken Marinade Works
- Apple cider vinegar and citrus add tang and help brighten the flavor.
- Dijon mustard helps the marinade cling to the chicken.
- Brown sugar balances the acidity and helps with browning on the grill.
- Olive oil keeps the chicken moist.
- Garlic, salt, and pepper keep the flavor simple and savory.
Grilled Chicken Marinade Ingredients:
This marinade uses boneless chicken breasts, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Chicken thighs, drumsticks, or bone-in pieces can also work, but cooking time will vary.
How to Make Grilled Chicken with Marinade
Prepare the chicken. Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, then pound them to an even thickness. This helps the chicken cook evenly on the grill.
Make the marinade. Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl. If you want extra marinade for drizzling over the cooked chicken, set some aside in a clean container before adding the raw chicken.
Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken to the marinade and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Grill the chicken. Grill over medium-high heat until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Important: Discard any marinade that has touched raw chicken.
How Long To Marinate Chicken
For boneless chicken breasts, marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours. Because this marinade has apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and lime juice, I would not marinate thin chicken breasts overnight. Too much time in an acidic marinade can make the texture soft or gummy.
If you are using thicker pieces, thighs, drumsticks, or bone-in chicken, you may be able to marinate a little longer, but 1–2 hours is the sweet spot for this recipe.
Storage and Freezing
Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is great sliced for sandwiches, salads, wraps, or quick lunches the next day.
You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Best Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A sweet, tangy grilled chicken marinade made with apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, citrus, garlic, brown sugar, and olive oil. Reserve a little before adding the chicken so you can drizzle it over the cooked chicken.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise
Instructions
- Whisk together the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, lime juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until the marinade is combined.
- Reserve ¼ cup of marinade in a separate clean container for serving. Do this before adding the raw chicken.
- Place the chicken in a glass dish or zip-top bag and pour the remaining marinade over the chicken. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes before grilling.
- Grill over medium-high heat, turning once, until the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then drizzle with the reserved clean marinade before serving.
Notes
- If you want extra marinade for serving, reserve it before adding the raw chicken. Discard any marinade that has touched raw chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Marinate Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
Looking for some side dishes to go with your chicken:
- Our infamous Potato salad pairs beautifully with this chicken.
- How about a side dish of perfectly cooked Rice Pilaf?
- The flavors and freshness in this Four Bean Salad are amazing!
Have you tried baking this?
I have not Susan but I'm sure it would be delicious!
I made a triple batch of this chicken yesterday, and it was a hit with our extended family! I'd say that this is the best grilled chicken marinade we've ever tried. I pounded this chicken first -- not thin, just to even up the thickness -- and marinated it for about five hours. Also reserved some of the marinade to put on the finished chicken. It was great!
so happy you and the family enjoyed the chicken Susan. We just made a batch over the weekend ourselves and it was a hit as usual!
Hi there. This recipe looks delicious, and easy! But I was wondering about the sugar - I try not to eat it if I can help it. Has anyone made it without or substituted honey? Or maybe use less?
I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks so much!
Debi,
You mention "the intoxicating smell of HONEY chicken on the bbq". Is there supposed to be honey in this recipe? Thanks!
Tammy you are like the 3rd or 4th person to tell me this! I finally found the sentence. 😀 I think I originally put honey in it but changed it. I'm going to try it with the honey again b/c I think I really liked it. Stay tuned!
So what is your final verdict on this? Getting ready to make it for guests. I've made it twice already, and loved it! But may go the honey route today...
my final verdict - no honey! I receive constant compliments on this chicken so i'm keeping it as is. 😀
Also, is apple cider vinegar with the mother going to work for the cider vinegar?
that is the only kind of cider vinegar I use, and I've used it before on (different) marinade recipes with no problems!
Have you ever frozen the chicken in the marinade and then thawed to grill?
I have not Savannah
I do that with other chicken marinades and I think that it works best that way!
I served this to the people I cook for, and they raved. Said it was the best chicken they ever ate. I did flatten the chicken breasts first so they grilled evenly.
I want to make this for dinner tonight but I don't have a fresh lemon, I do however have a bottle of "Real Lemon" has anyone used it a substitute?
The real lemon should work just fine.
I, many times, will use left over marinates my raw meats have marinated in by boiling it slowly in a pot. It will usually thicken up a bit and make for a tasty sauce to serve with the cooked meat and is safe to eat.
This was the most amazing chicken recipe we have ever made. My husband and I devoured it! We will be making this recipe for the rest of our lives! This will definitely be our "go to" grilled chicken recipe. Thank you so much for sharing it with the world! ♥
Whitney you made me laugh - thanks so much for your enthusiastic compliment!
Made this last night but used white sugar instead of brown (because I was out) and it was SO GOOD! I also used boneless chicken thighs instead (again, what I had on hand!) It was probably the best chicken I have had! And my whole family loved it!!!! My 10yr old and 5yr old both had seconds! Will make again for sure 🙂
so so happy you liked it Kierstien. I seem to always be disappointed when I try new marinades for chicken because this one spoiled us! 😉
We loved this! Used Splenda brown sugar blend - slightly better carb-wise but who cares! Won't grill chicken any other way ever!
😀
Love this recipe! Trying it for the second time. Can I marinate this overnight?
you sure can Jillian - so happy you liked it! We make it all the time.
I found this on Pinterest and made it for my family tonight. They are not picky eaters, but will definitely tell me if they don't like something. My son being the more vocal of the family. Well, just wanted to let you know that he told me that it was the best chicken he has ever eaten. After he told me that I had to take a bite for myself. I actually patted myself on the back for making it, therefore patting you on the back for posting it. Thank you so much. I will save this recipe and make it over and over again!
Thank you so much Julia! I really appreciate you taking the time to write such a lovely comment! Wait until you make it on the grill! 😀
We made this tonight & it was awesome. I was honestly impressed, I've tried so many chicken marinades & I have disappointed more often than not. I also used the reserved marinade as a dipping sauce (strained of the garlic), it really upped the flavor. This will definitely be used again. Thank you so much for sharing!
Okay I am trying this tonight have the chicken marinating in the fridge now but I did not put it in a ziplock bag ( too messy) but I have it poured over the chicken in a ceramic pan, cant wait to taste it I know it will be delish!!
Hi Debi-
This looks awesome and I love your focus on organic foods.
One question - you wrote about the smell of "the honey chicken on the bbq"....but I didn't see honey in the recipe. Hoping to make tonight, pls share update if needed. Thanks again!
Yummmmmmmm! Made this tonight, LOVED it! Thank you so much.
Hi Debi , Your Best Grilled Chicken recipe looks delicious and moist I cant wait to try it. Just one question when you are describing it above the recipe you call it Honey Chicken. Is it supposed to have honey or just the brown sugar. Thank you
Marinade that raw chicken has been marinated in should be boiled prior to pouring it over the chicken that has been taken off the grill. Some people may not be aware of this and could make themselves, and other diners sick. this sounds like a great marinade, and I am looking forward to trying it, and making my neighbors hungry, lol. Thanks for sharing
The directions say to save some of the marinade and not add it all to the bag. The unused marinade that did not touch raw chicken that was left over is to be drizzled over after grilling. She did not say to use the marinade from the ziploc bag.
Thank you for mentioning that because I was about to advise NOT to use the same marinade that the raw chicken sat in - for when the chicken is cooked and you pour over top when done. Whew, glad it came up!
I would second what Cindy said. I understand exactly what is meant in the directions (and I think Cindy did also), but I think it could easily be misinterpreted. Not trying to diss the recipe at all, it looks great! I just feel that inexperienced cooks could misinterpret "leftover marinade" to mean what is leftover after the chicken is removed. Please understand this is not meant as criticism but instead as useful feedback.
Thanks for the recipe, I will definitely be trying it!
thanks everyone for your feedback. I'll go ahead and change the wording. I wouldn't want anyone to actually use 'leftover' marinade that raw chicken has been in. 😀
Hi!
I found you on topmommyblogs in the forums. I love your website. It is so clean, and organized and so easy to navigate! I have added you to my "mommyblogs" bookmark and am signing up for email updates as soon as I finish typing this message. Thanks for sharing such great recipes for moms and not buying processed foods!
Have a great day!
Lindsie
http://www.momsbistro.net
wow! Thanks Lindsie for the kind words !!!
I liked your recipes. I have tried 3 so far and all 3 were very good. We are trying to stay away from fast food, processed foods since i came down with food poisoning last night from mcdonalds. Im so glad your recipes are actually very good. I have tried many others online and they were horrible. Thank you for doing a great job.