The Ultimate BBQ Chicken Marinade Recipe: Juicy, Flavorful, and Irresistible
Every summer, this BBQ chicken marinade brings back memories of Sunday cookouts with my dad manning the grill, humming old tunes while flipping chicken with love. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and so many happy bellies! Now it’s your turn to bring this delicious tradition to life. Fire up that grill and let the magic begin!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1hour
Ingredients
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2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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Salt & pepper to taste
For the Marinade:
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1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind!)
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2 Tbsp olive oil
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1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
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1 Tbsp light brown sugar
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½ tsp smoked paprika
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½ tsp onion powder
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1 Tbsp minced garlic
Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken
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In a bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Set aside ¼ cup for grilling.
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Coat the chicken in the rest of the marinade in a glass container or bag.
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Let it marinate for 1 hour at room temp or up to 6 hours in the fridge.
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Grill to Perfection
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Heat your grill to medium. Remove chicken from marinade, season with salt & pepper.
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Grill for 5 minutes on one side, then 3–5 minutes on the other until internal temp hits 160°F.
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Brush with reserved marinade as it cooks.
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Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
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Notes
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Use smoked paprika for that rich BBQ depth.
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Honey or maple syrup can replace brown sugar if you like a sweeter glaze.
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Got garlic powder? Use 1 tsp instead of minced.
Nutrition
- Calories: 171 kcal per serving
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 153mg
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 24g