These 4 Easy Chicken Marinades are a great way to boost the flavor in your favorite grilled chicken! Here, you’ll find recipes for teriyaki, BBQ, lemon, and Italian chicken marinades. Marinating your chicken also promotes juiciness. Here’s everything you need to know about making and using the best chicken marinades! This process results in the best grilled chicken ever. Let’s get to summer grilling.

What Does Marinating Chicken Do Exactly?

• Flavor: Chicken marinades are great for locking in flavors, letting them go beyond the surface and really seep into the meat. Thanks to a good marinade, each bite can be packed with flavor.
• Tenderize: Chicken marinades are great for tenderizing the meat and keeping it juicy as it cooks. That’s especially important when you’re cooking up chicken breasts.
• Versatile: While I’m using chicken thighs in these recipes, you can use these marinades for chicken breasts or even drumsticks. Feel free to shake it up and try them all!

The Flavors of the 4 Easy Chicken Marinades

Lemon Chicken

Think bright, lemony chicken seasoned with garlic, fresh dill, and salt. This chicken is such a great versatile chicken to make! It works great on its own or mixed into salads or other dishes.

BBQ Chicken

Timeless, classic, and oh so delicious! You can’t go wrong with a delicious, BBQ-marinated chicken that brings the flavor and the fun!

Teriyaki Chicken

Sweet meets savory in this yummy teriyaki chicken marinade. Made with soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and fresh green onions, too.

Zesty Italian Chicken

The most distinctive of the bunch, this zesty Italian chicken might just be your favorite! With so much flavor in every bite, you are sure to love this one.

Summer Grill Recipes, 4 Easy Chicken Marinades

Since summer is right around the corner, I put together four easy marinades for your next chicken recipe. Grill up your chicken to pair with a fresh market salad, or make kabobs with your fave veggies! 

These recipes are perfect for a casual weeknight summer night, or they would be delicious to serve on Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July, Pioneer Day, Labor Day, or anything in between.

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Yield: 2 pounds per marinade

4 Easy Chicken Marinades

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These 4 Easy Chicken Marinades are a great way to boost the flavor in your favorite grilled chicken! Here, you'll find recipes for teriyaki, BBQ, lemon, and Italian chicken marinades.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

Lemon Chicken

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• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tablespoon fresh dill, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup

BBQ Chicken

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• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Teriyaki Chicken

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• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
• 3 green onions, diced
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Italian Chicken

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• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup Italian dressing
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Tablespoons fresh parsley, diced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Whisk together the marinade and marinate up to 2 pounds of chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks.
2. Marinate in the fridge between 2-6 hours per recipe.
3. Cook chicken as desired. Enjoy!