The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Marinade (Paleo, Dairy Free, Gluten Free)

5 from 12 votes
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If there is one marinade you need for summer, it’s this one.

When I am having people over for a barbecue, this is one of the recipes I turn to.  It’s quick to throw together, packed with tart, salty, sweet, COMPLEX flavor and does all the work of flavoring your main course while you go about your day.  Without fail, someone always asks “what’s in this marinade?” 

The best part is that it goes just as well with steak, pork, or salmon as it does chicken and has yet to fail me.  I’ve even used it with portabello mushrooms that I’ve grilled up and served as meatless burgers and it was divine.

This, along with my Miso Teriyaki Chicken, are two favorite summer go-tos you will find at my table all season long.

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How To Make The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Marinade

Step 1. Cut chicken in half horizontally and open like a book, slicing in the middle to create two breast halves.

Step 2. Season chicken breasts with salt and set aside.

Step 3. Whisk all marinade ingredients in a large bowl and add chicken breast halves.

Step 4. Toss chicken to coat fully and submerge as much as possible in the marinade.

Step 5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, tossing halfway through to evenly marinate the chicken.

Step 6. Remove chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you plan to cook.

Step 7. When ready to cook, preheat the grill and oil the grates.

Step 8. Grill chicken on medium high for 4-6 minutes per side or until cooked through.

Step 9. Let rest for 15 minutes, and serve.

Enjoy! 

grilled chicken

What Else Can I Use?

  • This marinade is incredibly versatile, as I noted earlier, so I encourage you to experiment using it on all sorts of proteins and vegetables.
  • Coconut aminos are called for, but soy sauce is easily substituted and one I often use as well.
  • No oranges?  No problem.  Use some lemon or lime juice and a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey instead.
  • Red wine, white wine, or balsamic vinegar can be used in place of the apple cider vinegar.

This Chicken Marinade is special because:

It’s extremely versatile. This sauce is delicious on all sorts of proteins and vegetables!

It can be thrown together in minutes but will create stunning flavor that is sure to have people asking for the recipe at dinner!

Want More Recipe Ideas For The Fourth Of July? Check These Out:

Sixty Second Coleslaw (Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

Creamed Corn Pasta with Zucchini + Basil (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)

Raspberry Picnic Pie Bars

Coconut Lime Sheet Cake with Lime Glaze (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

If you make this Ultimate Grilled Chicken Marinade, and I hope you do, I want to hear from you!  send me a message on instagram, or post a photo to your stories and tag me so I can share your creations.  enjoy!

chicken
5 from 12 votes

The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Marinade

If there is one marinade you have on hand this summer it should be this one. It's sublime on grilled chicken, and excellent on steak, pork, and salmon. The possibilities are endless.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Equipment

  • Gas or charcoal grill

Ingredients 

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 orange, juiced
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions 

  • Cut chicken in half horizontally and open like a book, slicing in the middle to create two breast halves.
  • Season chicken breasts with salt and set aside.
  • Whisk all marinade ingredients in a large bowl and add chicken breast halves.
  • Toss chicken to coat fully and submerge as much as possible in the marinade.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, tossing halfway through to evenly marinate the chicken.
  • Remove chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you plan to cook.
  • When ready to cook, preheat the grill and oil the grates.
  • Grill chicken on medium high for 4-6 minutes per side or until cooked through.
  • Let rest for 15 minutes, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 1586mg | Potassium: 709mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 335
Keyword: chicken, grilled, marinade, summer
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28 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was the best marinade Iโ€™ve ever tried. The chicken came out so succulent, I couldnโ€™t believe it was grilled on the bbq. Also I let it marinate all day while I was at work and it still turned out perfectly

    1. Hey Mandi, if you’ve got a bottle of pure orange juice on hand, that would work perfectly – roughly 1/3 of a cup is what you’ll need.
      Let me know if you give this a try!
      Kat.

  2. 5 stars
    This is the best grilled chicken that I have made. Was a big hit and will be making it again! I did use lime juice because I did not have any oranges.