Description
Juicy Mediterranean grilled chicken marinade whisks you to sun-drenched coastal kitchens with zesty herbs, garlic, and olive oil. Tender chicken absorbs rich Mediterranean flavors, promising a delightful culinary journey through Greece’s most beloved marinades.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 6 chicken breasts (or about 3.5 lb of chicken)
Liquid Marinade Base:
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/8 cup lemon juice
Seasoning and Flavoring:
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Craft a zesty marinade by combining all liquid ingredients in a spacious, leak-proof ziplock bag, ensuring thorough mixing of flavors.
- Gently introduce chicken pieces into the marinade, carefully sealing the bag to prevent any potential spillage.
- Position the sealed bag inside a protective container to catch any potential drips and maintain refrigerator cleanliness.
- Allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours, or ideally overnight, enabling the herbs and spices to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375-400 degrees Fahrenheit or 190-204 degrees Celsius) to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess liquid drip off, and discard the remaining marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
- Place chicken on the hot grill, cooking for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a clean platter and allow it to rest for 3-5 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Sprinkle a light touch of kosher salt to enhance the final flavor profile before serving.
Notes
- Marinate chicken in a leak-proof bag to keep your refrigerator clean and prevent cross-contamination.
- Longer marinating time (8-24 hours) allows deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat.
- Fresh herbs and citrus zest boost the marinade’s complexity and brightness.
- Using an acid like lemon juice or vinegar helps break down protein fibers, ensuring juicier chicken.
- Discard used marinade to prevent potential bacterial contamination from raw chicken juices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 1245 kcal
- Sugar: 102g
- Sodium: 3900mg
- Fat: 64g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 56g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 144g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 198g
- Cholesterol: 480mg