Having a great chicken marinade can make the difference between chicken that’s ok and chicken that’s amazing! This Triple Citrus marinade is bright with exciting flavors and makes moist, juicy chicken no matter how you cook it!
Perk up your grilled chicken with this flavor-packed homemade chicken marinade recipe!
It’s perfect for chicken any way you plan to cook it. Roasting in the oven, broiling or cooking in a skillet too.
This simple marinade saturates the chicken with great flavor and keeps it moist while cooking.
The result? Juicy, flavorful chicken that is next level delicious. Bye bye boring chicken.
This citrus marinade is perfect for the lighter flavor of chicken.
Simple ingredients with the right balance of sweet, tangy, spicy and salty.
Best chicken marinade recipe
This is not JUST a grilled chicken marinade recipe.
Use this marinade any time you are preparing chicken. For the stove top, slow cooker or any other method.
It’s all you need to give the main dish that ‘wow’ factor. So easy too.
Marinade Ingredients + Notes
Orange juice. If possible use fresh orange juice.
Lemon juice. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor.
Lime juice. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor.
Ginger. Fresh ginger is used.
Cumin. Ground cumin is used.
Garlic cloves.
Soy sauce. Regular or gluten-free soy sauce or Tamari can be used.
Sage. Fresh chopped sage is used.
Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil. The oil is needed to transfer the marinade flavors to the chicken.
Variations
Substitute different fresh herbs for a whole different flavor! Instead of sage, substitute one of these 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, OR 1-3 crushed bay leaves. Or add some Italian seasoning.
Add some brown sugar. To add a sweet flavor to the salty, tangy ingredients some brown sugar does the trick. Maple syrup can also be used.
Add Dijon mustard. Another great flavor that works with the ingredients in the healthy chicken marinade.
Worcestershire Sauce. Always adds a delicious depth of flavor.
What Type of Chicken to Marinate?
Any cut of chicken works great.
Chicken thighs, breasts, leg quarters, wings, chicken tenders or drumsticks (chicken legs) are great choices.
How to Make this Easy Chicken Marinade recipe
All the ingredients go into the blender and are blended together! It takes only a few minutes.
How to Marinate
Place chicken in a non-metal pan airtight container or a gallon size sealable plastic bags (preferred method) with the marinade.
If the chicken is not submerged in the marinade, turn it periodically to ensure all pieces are soaked evenly.
Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
NOTE: Using a resealable bag is the easiest way to marinate because the marinade can be massaged into the chicken from the outside of the bag AND ensure the chicken is fully covered with the easy marinade.
Place in the refrigerator for the desired marinating time. Do not marinate at room temperature.
How Long to Marinate the Chicken
These recommended times are specific to this recipe.
The high amount of citrus juice determine the marinating times.
Marinate at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours (for bone-in skin-on chicken).
Boneless chicken breasts should not marinate over 4 hours.
See Pro Tips for more info.
Pro Tips
Do Not Over Marinate
The acids in citrus fruits can ‘cook’ meat.
That’s why in recipes like Ceviche the fish actually does not cook from heat but by being soaked in citrus juices.
Marinating in acidic ingredients should not be done for an extended time.
The benefit of the acid is it breaks down connective tissue in the meat making it more tender.
The chicken will also hold more moisture making a juicy end result after cooking.
Over marinating, or marinating too long, can make the chicken mushy.
Marinate for 2-6 hours only.
Do Not Reuse Chicken Marinade
Once raw chicken has been in a marinade it should be discarded after use. Raw chicken carries bacteria that isn’t safe to consume.
Marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken cannot be reused.
Using Oil in Marinades
Oil does a few beneficial things in a marinade.
- It imparts the flavor to the meat. Using a fat or oil in a marinade allows the flavors to better penetrate the meat.
- It keeps the meat moist when cooking.
- It balances acidic flavors. This marinade has three citrus juices so including some oil balances the flavors beautifully.
Can I leave the Oil out?
I have marinated boneless skinless chicken breasts in this recipe without oil (see photo below).
After cooking the chicken is very moist and lightly flavored.
It does not have the same level of flavor as when oil is in the recipe.
Cooking marinated chicken
Follow the cook time for your favorite chicken recipes and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Using a meat thermometer or instant read thermometer for food is the most accurate way to make sure the chicken is fully cooked.
Always insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast or type of chicken being cooked.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love!
- Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad
- Best Shredded Chicken Recipe
- Chicken Salad
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Thighs recipe with Citrus flavors
Citrus Chicken Marinade with fresh herbs
Ingredients
- ½ cup Orange juice
- ½ cup Lemon juice
- ½ cup Lime juice
- 1 1.5-inch piece fresh Ginger root minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Cumin
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (regular or gluten-free) Tamari may also be used
- 4-5 leaves fresh Sage chopped (OR 3 tbsp. chopped cilantro OR 2-3 crushed bay leaves)
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl or emulsify in a blender (no need to mince or chop with the latter method).
- Place chicken in a shallow dish, preferably of glass or heavy plastic (citrus acid reacts with metal and can leave your chicken tasting "tinny"), or in large resealable freezer bag, and pour marinade over top.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably 2 to 6 hours (bone-in chicken breasts can be left overnight, but boneless chicken breasts should not marinate more than 4 hours).
- Cook as desired.
Notes
- It imparts the flavor to the meat. Using a fat or oil in a marinade allows the flavors to better penetrate the meat.
- It keeps the meat moist when cooking.
- It balances acidic flavors. This marinade has three citrus juices so including some oil balances the flavors beautifully.
Nutrition
Originally published: June 24, 2020
Steven says
How much chicken is this amount of marinade for? Will be using boneless breasts – 1 pound? 2 pounds?
Thanks!
Toni Dash says
It makes 2 cups of marinade so however much chicken will be covered with it. I find using a gallon ziploc bag allows more coverage and you can rotate the bag too so the chicken gets even exposure to the marinade.
Amy says
Really liked the marinade! Easy dish to whip up!
Luca says
I’ve just sent this to my family, it looks so delicious!
Leslie says
Excellent recipe!
Emily says
This made the best chicken ever!! My family is already requesting more 😁
Liz says
A huge hit with the family. The herbs were perfectly suited!
Angela says
So much flavor in this marinade. Love it!
Jeri says
This marinade was perfect, such a nice fresh taste!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Wow this chicken marinade was perfect! Packed so much flavor!
Kyleigh says
So good! My new favorite marinade!