Our Best Chicken Marinade Recipes for Grilling All Summer Long
Lemon Herb Chicken Kebabs
Recipe: Lemon Herb Chicken Kebabs
The lemony marinade gets a kick from crushed red pepper, a hint of sweetness from a drizzle of honey, and a burst of freshness from lots of cilantro. You'll use it to flavor skewered asparagus and chicken, but take your pick of vegetable if you fancy something else.
Chicken Thigh Marinade
Recipe: Chicken Thigh Marinade
Thick, creamy buttermilk forms the base of this marinade, which is also packed with a whole cup of fresh herbs, a healthy smattering of garlic, and a splash of lime juice.
Buttermilk Honey Chicken Kabobs
Recipe: Buttermilk Honey Chicken Kabobs
Hot sauce and black pepper are tapered by the tangy, creamy buttermilk, while toasted pecan pesto adds crunch and grilled lemon halves keep things light and bright.
Spiced Chicken Vegetable Kebabs with Grilled Pita
Recipe: Spiced Chicken Vegetable Kebabs with Grilled Pita
The base of this marinade is a cup of whole-milk Greek yogurt. Mint and coriander keep the flavor profile interesting.
Smoked Chicken with Fresh Herb Marinade
Recipe: Smoked Chicken with Fresh Herb Marinade
Bright hints of lemon, basil, and oregano cut through the smokiness of the hickory chips for one juicy, tender chicken. Don't blame us if this becomes your go-to marinade for the summer.
Kebab Marinade
Recipe: Kebab Marinade
One step and uses pantry staples? Yes, please. This kebab marinade comes together in minutes and is a prime example of allowing simplicity to shine. Apple cider vinegar provides the tang, honey adds sweetness, and garlic packs a flavorful punch.
Main-Dish Marinade
Recipe: Main-Dish Marinade
For the seasoned cooks (and the adventurous neophytes), here's our guide to making a marinade. You choose the ingredients, as long as some of them provide the necessary acid, sweetness, and salt — all of which play key roles in tenderizing, cooking, and flavoring the meat.
Citrus Soy Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Recipe: Citrus Soy Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Thai-inspired skewers use ginger, lemongrass, fish sauce, and soy sauce to create a deliciously salty, but not overbearing, marinade for boneless chicken breasts that will add variety to your weeknight dinner rotation.
What better way to welcome summer than with a neighborhood cookout? Nothing says "it's summertime" more than firing up the grill and inviting everyone over for some food and fun. Of course, you'll need the mainstays and classics on the picnic table, including mac and cheese, potato salad, corn on the cob, and pie. Don't forget the salad, either! All the accompaniments will need, however, a star main dish, and that's where our best grilled chicken marinade recipes will come in handy. You've got your choice of grill-worthy kebabs and Sunday supper chicken breast marinade recipes (or whatever part of the chicken you prefer) to choose from, and the flavors are chock-full of the things we love as well as the unexpected. And, for the experienced or adventurous cooks among us, we have a marinade guide to creating your own recipe. It's time to create a new signature dish.