Description
This flavorful chicken marinade comes together in just 5 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. It’s perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing chicken—plus it’s gluten-free and meal prep–friendly.
This chicken marinade comes together in about 5 minutes or less. The cook times indicated here are from start to finish if you plan to cook the chicken.
Ingredients
Units
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or omit if cooking over high heat)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or 1-2 teaspoons dried herbs (parsley, rosemary, oregano)
Instructions
To Marinate:
- Combine all ingredients together in a bowl or plastic bag.
- Add 1–1.5 lbs of chicken to a sealed bag or container.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal, and shake or mix well.
- Let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes (or up to 12 hours covered in the fridge).
To Cook:
- Bake (easiest method): Preheat oven to 400°F. Place marinated chicken on a lined baking sheet or in a baking dish and bake. Boneless chicken typically requires 15-25 minutes in a preheated oven, while bone-in chicken needs 35-45 minutes or more. Cooked chicken should always reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Pan-Sear: Heat 2-3 tablespoons of a high-heat oil such as avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
- Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, depending on cut and thickness, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).