Description
This easy Grilled Chicken Marinade combines bright apple cider vinegar with aromatic spices and natural ingredients to deliver juicy, tender, and flavorful grilled chicken. Perfect for chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks, this simple marinade enhances your grilled dishes with a perfect balance of tangy and smoky flavors, ideal for quick weeknight dinners or weekend barbecues.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), olive oil, minced garlic, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), smoked paprika, ground cumin, black pepper, salt, and fresh lemon juice until well blended and smooth.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place your choice of chicken cuts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly. Seal or cover, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4 to 6 hours, or overnight for the best infusion of flavor.
- Preheat and Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let excess drip off before placing on the grill. Grill the chicken, turning occasionally, until cooked through and nicely charred on the outside. Cooking times will vary depending on the cut and thickness.
- Rest and Serve: Once grilled, transfer the chicken to a plate and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. This helps juices redistribute, making each bite juicy and flavorful.
Notes
- Allow at least an hour to marinate but avoid over 24 hours to maintain texture.
- Let chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling for even cooking.
- Pat chicken dry before grilling to reduce flare-ups.
- Brush grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Use a meat thermometer to cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: grilled chicken marinade, easy chicken marinade, apple cider vinegar marinade, smoky grilled chicken, tender grilled chicken