Description

A flavorful grilled chicken marinade recipe that combines tangy lemon, savory soy sauce, and a touch of honey for a perfectly moist and delicious chicken breast. This marinade infuses the chicken with vibrant flavors, making it ideal for summer barbecues or a quick weeknight dinner. Serve with an optional honey lemon sauce for an extra burst of zest.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Marinade

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 teaspoon)
3–4 tablespoons lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons)
1/2 tablespoon pepper (or 1 teaspoon if sensitive)
2 teaspoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely minced
3 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 to 2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon honey

For Optional Honey Lemon Sauce

3 tablespoons butter, melted
Zest of 1 lemon (1–2 teaspoons)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons honey
Pepper to taste
Fresh parsley to taste

Instructions

Make Marinade: In a large bowl, combine vegetable oil, reduced-sodium soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, lemon zest, lemon juice, pepper, minced parsley, yellow mustard, minced garlic, and honey. Stir thoroughly to blend all flavors.
Reserve Marinade: Set aside 1/3 cup of the marinade in a separate container; this will be used later to baste the chicken while grilling.
Prepare Chicken: Trim any excess fat from chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness of about 1 inch. If the breasts are thick, cut them in half horizontally to ensure even cooking and better marinade absorption.
Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours, preferably 4–6 hours for maximum flavor infusion. Avoid marinating longer than 6 hours to prevent the chicken from becoming overly salty or cooked from the vinegar and lemon.
Prepare Grill: Preheat the grill to a medium-high temperature of 375–450°F. Clean the grill grates thoroughly, then grease them by dipping a paper towel in vegetable oil and rubbing it over the grates using tongs to prevent sticking.
Grill Chicken: Place chicken breasts on the grill and cook for about 4–6 minutes per side depending on thickness and heat, aiming for an internal temperature of 160°F (carry-over heat will bring it to 165°F). For 1-inch-thick breasts at 400°F, grill 5 minutes on the first side and 4 on the second.
Baste: While grilling, generously brush the chicken with the reserved marinade to keep it moist and flavorful. Keep the grill lid closed as much as possible to maintain heat.
Make Optional Honey Lemon Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, and honey. Season with pepper and parsley if desired. Serve the sauce drizzled over the grilled chicken for extra flavor.

Notes

If sensitive to spice or garlic, use 1 teaspoon of pepper and 1 teaspoon of garlic instead of higher amounts.
Pounding chicken breasts to even thickness ensures uniform cooking and better marinade penetration.
Do not marinate chicken more than 6 hours to prevent meat from becoming mushy or overly acidic due to vinegar and lemon juice.
Use reduced-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the marinade.
Always check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely.
The honey lemon sauce is optional but adds a nice sweet and tangy topping that complements the grilled flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approximately 6 ounces)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 32 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: grilled chicken marinade, lemon chicken marinade, honey lemon sauce, easy grilled chicken, summer barbecue recipes