Description
This easy grilled chicken marinade combines olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, soy sauce, smoked paprika, and honey for juicy, flavorful chicken every time. Perfect for grilling and serving in salads, wraps, bowls, tacos, or alongside your favorite sides.
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 3/4 inch if needed and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a medium bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and honey until well combined.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it, coating each piece evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and place it on the grill.
- Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, flipping once, until lightly charred and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm with your favorite sides or use in salads, bowls, wraps, tacos, or sandwiches.
Notes
Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts for extra juiciness.
Marinate for 30 minutes for great flavor or up to 2 hours for deeper seasoning.
Avoid marinating overnight, as the lemon juice may affect the texture of the chicken.
Lime juice can replace lemon juice for a different citrus flavor.
Add cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or extra honey to customize the flavor.
Store cooked chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
