Juicy Grilled Hen Marinade Recipe

If there’s one recipe I make on repeat each grilling season, it’s this juicy grilled hen marinade. Marinating hen is among the best methods to lock in moisture whereas including layers of candy, tangy, and savory taste to each chunk.

I come again to this marinade not less than as soon as per week throughout summer time dinners for my household as a result of it’s so easy, dependable, and made with pantry staples. I like it with hen breasts, however I’ve used it on thighs, drumsticks, and wings with equally scrumptious outcomes. Whether or not I’m meal-prepping for the week or internet hosting a yard cookout, this grilled hen marinade by no means lets me down!

Recipe Highlights

Right here’s why I hold this straightforward grilled hen marinade on repeat all summer time:

• Candy, tangy, savory taste: Balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and garlic come collectively for a superbly balanced marinade.
• Retains hen juicy: I depend on this marinade at any time when I would like grilled hen that’s tender, flavorful, and by no means dry.
• Works with nearly any minimize of hen: I exploit this marinade for hen breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings, relying on what’s on the menu.
• Meal-prep and freezer-friendly: I like marinating the hen forward of time on busy nights or freezing the hen proper within the marinade for ready-to-grill meals.

I hold this marinade easy with pantry staples:

• Balsamic vinegar: That is the bottom of the marinade, offering tanginess with only a trace of sweetness. Crimson wine vinegar is an efficient substitute, although the flavour will likely be slightly sharper. Love balsamic? Attempt my Balsamic Hen Marinade.
• Olive oil: I exploit extra-virgin olive oil as an alternative of vegetable oil to assist coat the hen and lock in moisture whereas it marinates. Avocado oil works simply as effectively.
• Worcestershire sauce: This provides a wealthy, savory depth. For a gluten-free choice, use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, tamari, gluten-free soy sauce, or coconut aminos blended with slightly apple cider vinegar.
• Honey: A bit honey provides sweetness to stability the acid and helps the hen caramelize superbly on the grill. Maple syrup is a straightforward substitute.
• Dijon mustard: I like the delicate tang Dijon provides to the marinade. Spicy brown mustard works in a pinch, however yellow mustard is likely to be a bit too gentle.
• Lemon juice: Contemporary lemon juice brightens the marinade and helps tenderize the hen. Bottled lemon juice will work, however recent at all times has one of the best taste.
• Lemon zest: I by no means skip the zest as a result of it provides recent citrus taste with out further acidity.
• Minced garlic: Contemporary garlic provides this marinade its daring, savory taste. Jarred minced garlic is a handy substitute.
• Crimson pepper flakes: Only a pinch provides light warmth with out making the marinade spicy. Be happy to depart them out or add extra for an additional kick.
• Salt and floor black pepper: Easy seasonings deliver all the flavors collectively.
• Hen: I often make this with boneless, skinless hen breasts, however I’ve additionally used thighs, drumsticks, wings, and even bone-in hen with nice outcomes!

A couple of easy steps could make all of the distinction relating to juicy, flavorful grilled hen. Listed below are my high suggestions for making this marinade work its magic.

Put together the Hen

I often use this Worcestershire sauce marinade with boneless, skinless hen breasts, however it works with nearly any minimize of hen. If the breasts are particularly thick, I wish to pound them to a fair thickness so that they cook dinner extra evenly on the grill.

When it’s time to marinate, I place the hen in a big zip-top bag or a shallow baking dish and pour the marinade excessive. Then I flip the hen just a few occasions to ensure every bit is totally coated earlier than protecting it and putting it within the fridge.

Marinate for Most Taste

For the juiciest, most flavorful hen, I wish to marinate it for 12-18 hours. If I’m quick on marinating time, I attempt to give it not less than 2 hours, which nonetheless permits the flavors to soak into the meat. I at all times marinate the hen within the fridge, and if I’m utilizing a baking dish, I’d flip the hen midway by means of so either side spend loads of time within the marinade. 

As a result of this recipe incorporates each balsamic vinegar and lemon juice, I don’t advocate marinating the hen for longer than 24 hours. The acid can begin to break down the meat an excessive amount of, leaving it with a harder texture.

Get Able to Grill

Earlier than I begin grilling, I be certain that the grill grates are clear and, if wanted, flippantly oiled to assist stop sticking. Then I take away the hen from the marinade and let any extra drip off earlier than putting it on the grill. This helps stop flare-ups whereas nonetheless leaving loads of taste on the hen.

The best way to Grill the Hen

As soon as the hen has completed marinating, I preheat my grill to 400ºF and place the hen over direct warmth.

For a mean 6-ounce hen breast, I grill it for 7-8 minutes on the primary aspect, then flip it as soon as and cook dinner for one more 8-10 minutes, relying on the thickness. I keep away from flipping it a number of occasions so the hen develops lovely grill marks and cooks evenly.

I at all times use an instant-read meat thermometer to examine for doneness quite than counting on cook dinner time alone. As soon as the thickest half reaches an inner temp of 165ºF, I take away the hen from the grill and let it relaxation for five minutes earlier than slicing. That quick relaxation helps the juices redistribute, conserving the hen tender and juicy.

For extra detailed step-by-step directions, try my full information on methods to make grilled hen.  

Can I Use This Marinade With Different Cuts of Hen?

Excellent news! This marinade works with nearly any minimize of hen. I often make sufficient to coat about 2 kilos of hen, and I like switching issues up relying on what I’ve available. Listed below are a few of my favourite choices outdoors of hen breasts:

• Grilled Hen Thighs: I like utilizing thighs as a result of they’re naturally extra tender and keep juicy on the grill. My Hen Thighs Marinade is one other flavorful choice that’s excellent for grilling.
• Grilled Hen Legs: Drumsticks work superbly with this marinade and are at all times a family-friendly choice for grilling.
• Grilled Hen Wings: The candy and savory flavors on this marinade pair completely with crispy grilled wings.
• Hen tenders: Tenders are an ideal choice after I want a quick-cooking protein that’s straightforward to serve.

Simply remember that cooking occasions will fluctuate relying on the minimize and thickness of the hen. I at all times use an instant-read thermometer and cook dinner the hen till the interior temperature on the thickest half reaches 165ºF.

Searching for a steak marinade? Right here’s my favourite, with flavors just like this hen marinade!

Serving Solutions

I like serving this grilled hen with easy summer time sides that allow the flavors of the marinade shine. A few of my favourite pairings embrace:

• Grilled greens: I like serving this hen with grilled peppers and onions, cauliflower, broccoli, or a easy veggie foil packet.
• Contemporary summer time salads: A crisp inexperienced salad, fruit salad, pasta salad, or a recent cucumber and tomato salad makes this meal really feel mild and refreshing.
• Traditional barbecue sides: Corn on the cob, baked potato salad, creamy coleslaw, or baked beans are at all times successful alongside grilled hen, particularly BBQ hen.
• Grains and bowls: I like slicing the hen and including it to rice bowls, quinoa bowls, or meal prep containers with roasted greens.
• Sandwiches and wraps: Leftover grilled hen is ideal tucked into wraps, sandwiches, or topped with recent veggies and a flavorful sauce.

Need to play with marinade flavors? Try my favourite hen marinade recipes. I share extra concepts for switching up the flavour with totally different components like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, plus suggestions for including dry rubs with brown sugar and oregano.

Storage and Freezing

That is one among my favourite hen recipes for meal prep and straightforward summer time dinners. To retailer cooked hen, place leftover grilled hen in an hermetic container and refrigerate for as much as 3-4 days. I like slicing it forward of time so it’s prepared so as to add to salads, wraps, bowls, or fast lunches.

To freeze raw marinated hen, I place the hen and marinade in a freezer-safe zip-top bag, take away as a lot air as potential, and freeze it flat till strong. After I’m able to cook dinner it, I switch the frozen hen to the fridge and let it thaw in a single day. 

The hen will proceed marinating because it thaws, so it’s able to grill the following day. I like to recommend utilizing the thawed hen inside 24 hours for one of the best texture and taste.