If you’re looking for ways to make your BBQ chicken as flavorful as possible, marinades are the way to go. Marinades are mixtures of liquid, herbs, spices, and sometimes other ingredients that are used to give foods, in this case chicken, an extra kick of flavor. Marinades are usually acidic, like vinegar, lemon juice, or wine, and they can be used to tenderize the meat as well. Whether you’re looking for an easy marinade, a spicy one, or something with a bit of a kick, there are plenty of marinade recipes out there to choose from.
Basic BBQ Marinade for Chicken
This is a classic BBQ marinade that is easy to make and is sure to please. It includes some basic ingredients that you likely already have on hand, and it can be used on any type of chicken, from breasts to wings and more. This marinade is best used overnight, so plan ahead.
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
- Place the chicken in a large sealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and seal the bag.
- Gently massage the marinade into the chicken and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
- Grill the chicken over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until it is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg
- Sodium: 677 mg
- Potassium: 219 mg
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Vitamin A: 407 IU
- Vitamin C: 0 mg
- Calcium: 18 mg
- Iron: 0.8 mg
This marinade is a great starting point for anyone looking to add a bit of flavor to their BBQ chicken. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious marinade that will make your chicken that much more enjoyable. Plus, it’s easy to customize the marinade with different herbs and spices depending on the flavor you’re looking for.
Spicy BBQ Chicken Marinade
For those who like a bit of heat, this spicy BBQ marinade is sure to do the trick. It includes a kick of heat from the cayenne pepper, as well as some sweetness from the honey. This marinade can be used on any type of chicken and it is best used overnight.
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, honey, garlic, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
- Place the chicken in a large sealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and seal the bag.
- Gently massage the marinade into the chicken and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
- Grill the chicken over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until it is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Calories: 242 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg
- Sodium: 677 mg
- Potassium: 219 mg
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Vitamin A: 407 IU
- Vitamin C: 0 mg
- Calcium: 18 mg
- Iron: 0.8 mg
This spicy marinade is a great way to add a bit of heat to your BBQ chicken. It’s simple to make and has just the right amount of kick. The sweetness of the honey helps to balance out the heat from the cayenne pepper, and the garlic and spices give it a great flavor. This marinade is sure to be a hit with anyone who likes a bit of heat.
Citrus BBQ Chicken Marinade
This citrus marinade is perfect for anyone who likes a bit of a tangy flavor. It combines the bright flavor of lemon and lime with some herbs and spices to create a delicious marinade that is sure to give your chicken an extra kick of flavor. This marinade is best used overnight.
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
- Place the chicken in a large sealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and seal the bag.
- Gently massage the marinade into the chicken and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
- Grill the chicken over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until it is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Calories: 241 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
