Marinating chicken is the single best way to add variety to weeknight dinners without adding complexity. As a healthy habits expert, and after developing and testing hundreds of recipes, these 12 chicken marinade recipes are the ones that earn repeat requests. Every one comes together in 5 minutes with pantry staples and works for grilling or baking, so you can rotate through the flavors all year long.

Twelve containers of raw chicken, each labeled with a different marinade: fajita, cilantro lime, honey soy, curry, teriyaki, buffalo, balsamic, Italian, citrus, Greek, taco, and lemon herb.
Side angle close up shot of spooning brown sauce on top of sliced, grilled chicken topped with sliced green onions on top of white rice in a large white bowl.
4.80 stars (5 ratings)

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Marinade (for Grilling and Oven)

An easy teriyaki chicken marinade made with just 4 ingredients. Ready in 5 minutes, perfect for grilling or baking, and can be frozen ahead for future meals.
Ingredients: reduced sodium soy sauce (or tamari), rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic.
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Marinade Time: 30-60 minutes.

Serving Suggestions: This chicken is fantastic with white or brown sticky rice, a sprinkle of green onions, and a simple steamed or roasted green veggie on the side, like broccoli or sugar snap peas.

Overhead shot of a large white bowl with diced grilled chicken topped with cilantro sprigs. Bowl is surrounded by sliced limes, a jar of red sauce, and corn tortillas.
5 stars (3 ratings)

The BEST Taco Chicken Marinade

A simple Mexican chicken marinade for tacos ready in 5 minutes. Perfect for street tacos, bowls, or burritos and works for grilling, baking, or air frying with chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
Ingredients: avocado oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, sugar, salt, chicken breasts (or thighs).
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Marinade Time: 30 minutes-4 hours.

Serving Ideas: Fantastic in burrito bowls, tacos, or burritos, whip up a batch of One-Pot Beans & Rice and some Cilantro Lime Slaw and you’ve got yourself a filling and delicious meal!

Close up shot of sliced, grilled chicken thighs on a wooden cutting board garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Curry Yogurt Chicken Marinade (5-Ingredients)

A simple curry chicken marinade made with Greek yogurt, curry powder, and lime juice. Just 5 ingredients and ready to grill or bake in 30 minutes.
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, curry powder, brown sugar, lime juice, salt, chicken thighs or breasts.
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Marinade Time: 30 minutes-4 hours.

Serving Ideas: Fantastic with garlic naan or rice, I love this chicken served with a simple salad of roughly chopped tomato, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro with a healthy squeeze of lime juice, olive oil, salt & pepper.

Close-up overhead shot of a white oval serving plate with sliced grilled chicken breasts, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges. Plate is surrounded by small bowls of chopped parsley, lemon wedges, and yogurt.
5 stars (5 ratings)

Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade (with Lemon)

A simple greek yogurt chicken marinade with lemon and garlic. Tenderizes chicken in 30 minutes and works for grilling or baking with breasts or thighs.
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, chicken breasts (or thighs) and salt.
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Marinade Time: 30 minutes-8 hours

Serving Ideas: The BEST in Greek Chicken Bowls, or stuffed in pitas with cucumber, tomato, red onion, and a healthy drizzle of Yogurt Tahini Sauce.

spoon in a clear glass mason jar full of honey mustard marinade on a white background
5 stars (5 ratings)

Honey Mustard Marinade (for Chicken and Pork)

Who says “easy” can’t be delicious? Made with simple pantry ingredients, this honey mustard marinade is a snap to prepare and works well as a flavorful marinade for grilled or baked chicken, pork, beef, salmon or as a sauce for drizzling on just about anything! The best part? It works with ANY mustard – basic yellow, spicy, Dijon, whole grain, you name it!
Ingredients: honey, Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, pepper and salt.
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Marinade Time: 30 minutes-8 hours

Serving Ideas: Fantastic as a topper for a green salad tossed with Creamy Dijon Vinaigrette or with Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad.

Closeup shot of grilled chicken breast on an oval platter. The platter is surrounded by small containers with marinade, olive oil, herbs, and spices.
5 stars (8 ratings)

Balsamic Vinegar Chicken Marinade (for Grilling)

This balsamic vinegar chicken marinade uses honey and Dijon for caramelized, flavorful chicken. Just 30 minutes to marinate for grilling, baking, and meal prep.
Ingredients: balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, chicken breast (or thighs).
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Marinade Time: 30 minutes-4 hours.

Serving Ideas: This chicken is fantastic with a vegetable medley like this dreamy Slow Cooker Ratatouille or with cooked pasta tossed with a simple basil pesto or sun dried tomato pesto.

Closeup shot of a platter with sliced chicken, carrot and celery sticks, buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing.
5 stars (1 rating)

Buffalo Chicken Marinade (Quick and Easy)

This quick and easy buffalo chicken marinade delivers sweet, spicy flavor in just 30 minutes of marinating time. Grill or bake chicken breasts or thighs.
Ingredients: olive oil, red hot sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, chicken breast (or thighs).
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Marinade Time: 30 minutes-4 hours.

Serving Ideas: This chicken makes the best Buffalo chicken salad or wraps! Just dice or slice the cooked chicken, then serve atop greens with thinly sliced celery drizzled with blue cheese dressing, or wrap in a tortilla with lettuce and blue cheese dressing.

Overhead shot of a white platter with sliced, grilled chicken; a serving fork; fresh herbs; and orange and lime slices. Platter is surrounded by small bowls of lime and orange slices and chopped herbs, a striped towel, and jars of a yellow sauce and honey.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Orange Citrus Chicken Marinade

This citrus orange chicken marinade uses fresh lime and orange juice for bright, zesty flavor. Just 30 minutes to marinate for grilling or baking.
Ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, lime, orange, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic, chicken (breast or thighs).
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Marinade Time: 30-60 Minutes

Serving Suggestions: This one screams for a light veggie side like this crunchy slaw or as a topper for my citrus chicken noolde salad.

Close-up overhead shot of sliced grilled chicken topped with green sauce, fresh basil, lemon wedges, and a serving fork.
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Pesto Chicken Marinade (for Grilling or Baking)

This 3-ingredient pesto chicken marinade uses store-bought pesto for juicy, flavorful chicken. Ready to grill, bake, or air fry in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients: pesto, lemon juice, salt, boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs).
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Marinade Time: 30-60 minutes.

Serve With: If you’ve got pesto on hand for this recipe, have it pull double duty by making some orzo pesto salad to go alongside.

Overhead shot of a cast iron skillet with cooked peppers, onions, and chicken. Skillet is surrounded by tortillas and bowls of sliced jalapenos,salsa, cilantro, lime wedges, guacamole, and sour cream.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Chicken Fajita Marinade (Quick and Easy)

This quick chicken fajita marinade delivers bold Tex-Mex flavor. Make it ahead or freeze with the chicken for easy weeknight fajitas in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients: lime juice, avocado oil, sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, granulated garlic powder, salt, chicken, onion, bell pepper.
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Marinade Time: 30 minutes-6 hours.

Serving Ideas: The recipe includes fajita veggies (onion and peppers) so all you need is some quick 4-Ingredient Guacamole and Fresh Tomato Salsa and you have a restaurant quality fajita meal in no time!

Overhead shot of a white oval platter with a serving fork and sliced, grilled chicken topped with fresh parsley sprigs. Surrounding the platter are bowls of chopped parsley and black pepper, a jar of marinade, a bottle of olive oil, and a towel.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Italian Chicken Marinade (Homemade)

This homemade Italian chicken marinade uses red wine vinegar, garlic, and Italian seasoning for juicy grilled or baked chicken in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients: olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, no-salt added dried Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper, chicken breasts (or thighs).
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Marinade Time: 30-60 Minutes

Serving Suggestions: I love serving this chicken with marinated grilled veggies and a simple pasta salad, like this one featuring tomatoes and basil.

Side view of of white oval platter with two forks, sliced chicken breasts with green sauce, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro.
5 stars (4 ratings)

Cilantro Lime Marinade (for Chicken and More)

This 5-ingredient cilantro lime marinade blends together in 3 minutes and works for chicken, steak, or fish. Just 30 minutes of marinating time needed.
Ingredients: avocado oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, salt, sugar, chicken breasts (or thighs).
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Marinade Time: 30-60 minutes.

Serving Ideas: Serve with Easy Rice & Beans and a Mexican-Inspired Slaw for a full meal.

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