Best Chicken Marinade Ever (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe)
This easy 5-ingredient chicken marinade is made with olive oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and water for juicy, flavorful grilled chicken every time. Marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight, then grill or bake for an easy, family-friendly dinner that works for meal prep, salads, and weeknight meals.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 262kcal
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breast 3 large chicken breasts, or 4 medium/small chicken breasts
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce regular or low sodium
- 3 tablespoons honey or packed brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced (or 1–1½ teaspoons garlic powder)
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
Mix the marinade:
- In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), minced garlic, and water until well combined.
Add the chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated. Seal the bag (or cover the dish) and gently move the chicken around so the marinade reaches all sides.
Marinate:
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight. The longer it marinates, the more flavor the chicken will have. Flip the bag once or twice during marinating if you can.
Grill the chicken:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Grill the chicken breasts for about 6–8 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and have nice grill marks.
Rest and serve:
- Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve as is, or slice and use on salads, in wraps, or alongside your favorite sides.
Notes
- For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- This marinade works well on chicken thighs, drumsticks, and kabobs—just adjust cooking time.
- You can bake the chicken at 400°F for 20–25 minutes instead of grilling if needed.
- Freeze chicken in the marinade for up to 2–3 months, then thaw and cook as directed.
- Leftover grilled chicken is great for salads, wraps, and meal prep.
Nutrition
Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 650mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
