Chicken is one of the easiest proteins to cook, but without the right seasoning, it can quickly turn bland or dry.

That’s where a good marinade makes all the difference. This collection of the 10 best chicken marinade recipes is designed to add flavor, keep chicken juicy, and make dinner planning easier.

Each marinade is made with simple pantry ingredients, takes just minutes to mix, and works perfectly for grilling, baking, air frying, or pan-searing.

If you’re cooking for busy weeknights, meal prep, or weekend dinners, these marinades help turn everyday chicken into something you’ll actually look forward to eating.

1. Lemon Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade

Fresh, light, and packed with flavor, this lemon garlic herb marinade is perfect for grilled or baked chicken. It’s especially great during warmer months when you want something simple and fresh.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl or zip-top bag.
• Add chicken and coat well.
• Marinate for 2–6 hours in the refrigerator.
• Cook as desired.

2. Honey Mustard Chicken Marinade

This honey mustard marinade is sweet, tangy, and always a crowd favorite. It works well for both grilling and oven-baked chicken.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Mix all ingredients until smooth.
• Add chicken and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Grill or bake until cooked through.

3. Fajita Chicken Marinade

Bold and smoky, this fajita chicken marinade is perfect for tacos, wraps, salads, or bowls. It’s full of Tex-Mex flavor and easy to customize.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl or bag.
• Add chicken and marinate for 2–8 hours.
• Grill, bake, or pan-sear.

4. Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade

Bright, zesty, and fresh, this cilantro lime marinade is ideal for Mexican-inspired meals and meal prep.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions

• Stir all ingredients together.
• Add chicken and refrigerate for 2–8 hours.
• Cook and garnish with extra cilantro if desired.

5. Italian Chicken Marinade

This classic Italian marinade uses simple herbs and pantry staples to create flavorful, versatile chicken for any meal.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
• Marinate chicken for 2–8 hours.
• Grill or bake and serve with pasta or vegetables.

6. Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade

Greek yogurt helps tenderize the chicken while adding a subtle tang. This marinade is great for skewers, wraps, or roasting.

Ingredients

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients until smooth.
• Coat chicken well and marinate for 4–8 hours.
• Grill or roast until cooked through.

7. Quick and Easy Teriyaki Marinade

Sweet and savory, this quick teriyaki marinade is perfect for weeknight dinners and pairs well with rice and vegetables.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger

Instructions

• Whisk ingredients together.
• Marinate chicken for 2–6 hours.
• Grill or pan-sear, brushing with extra marinade if desired.

8. Chicken Tandoori Marinade

Inspired by classic tandoori flavors, this yogurt-based marinade is aromatic, colorful, and deeply flavorful.

Ingredients

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
• Coat chicken and marinate for 4–8 hours.
• Grill or bake until juicy and cooked through.

9. BBQ Chicken Marinade

Smoky, sweet, and tangy, this BBQ marinade is a classic that works year-round, not just during grilling season.

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

• Whisk all ingredients together.
• Marinate chicken for 2–6 hours.
• Cook and brush with extra BBQ sauce if desired.

10. Honey Sriracha Chicken Marinade

This marinade strikes the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, making it ideal for grilling or baking.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
• Marinate chicken for 2–4 hours.
• Cook until caramelized and cooked through.

11. Honey Garlic Chicken Marinade

This honey garlic chicken marinade is sweet, savory, and incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing and works well for both weeknight dinners and meal prep.

The combination of honey and garlic creates a rich glaze that caramelizes beautifully as the chicken cooks.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.
• Add chicken and coat evenly.
• Marinate in the refrigerator for 2–6 hours.
• Cook as desired until golden and cooked through.