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Close-up of sliced grilled chicken breast showing the bright white moist interior and caramelized exterior. (Grilled Chicken Marinade)

Grilled Chicken Marinade: The Secret to Juicy, Caramelized Perfection

This Grilled Chicken Marinade creates juicy chicken with dark caramelized grill marks and a glossy herb finish. Perfectly balanced with lemon, honey, and garlic for the ultimate summer grilling experience.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Recipe Ingredients
  • 2 lbs (900g) Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Pounded to even thickness
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil High quality
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) Fresh Lemon Juice Plus wedges for garnish
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) Balsamic Vinegar For caramelization
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) Honey For glossiness
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) Red Chili Flakes Adjust to heat preference
  • 1/4 cup (15g) Fresh Parsley Finely chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Outdoor Grill Or cast iron grill pan
  • 1 Meat Thermometer To ensure 165°F internal temp

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, balsamic, honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes until emulsified.
  2. Add chicken to a bag with the marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
  3. Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until dark char marks appear and internal temp reaches 165°F.
  4. Rest for 5 minutes. Slice diagonally, garnish with heavy fresh parsley and extra chili flakes.

Notes

For the best char marks, do not move the chicken once placed on the grill until it is time to flip.
Always rest your chicken to keep the interior bright white and moist.