Having a good 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 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.
It saturates the chicken with great flavor and keeps it moist while cooking.
The result? Juicy, flavorful chickens that is anything but boring.
This citrus marinade is perfect for the lighter flavor of chicken.
It has the right balance of sweet, tangy, spicy and salty.
Not Just for Grilled Chicken
Use this marinade any time you are preparing chicken.
It’s all you need to give the main dish that ‘wow’ factor. So easy too.
Marinade Ingredients
- Orange juice
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
- fresh Ginger
- ground Cumin
- Garlic cloves
- Soy sauce (regular or gluten-free)
- fresh Sage, chopped
- Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil
What Type of Chicken to Marinate?
Any cut of cut of chicken works great.
Chicken thighs, breasts, leg quarters, wings or drumsticks 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 the chicken in a non-metal pan or a gallon size zipper-close plastic bag (preferred method) with the marinade.
If the chicken is not submerged in the marinade, turn it periodically to ensure all pieces are soaked evenly.
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.
Variations
Substitute different herbs for a whole different flavor! Instead of sage, substitute one of these:
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh Cilantro, or
- 2-3 crushed Bay Leaves
Pro Tips on Citrus Marinade
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 citrus juices 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.
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
Try these Recipes too!
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Suzy says
The flavors are amazing! Love how tasty it makes the chicken come out!
wilhelmina says
This is one marvelous marinade! It imparts a lovely light flavor to the chicken, so yummy!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I’m all for super juice chicken! This is my new favorite!
Colleen Cayes says
I am making this today and really appreciate the advice not to marinate too long when using the citrus juices. Also why using the oil is important. Thank you!
Krystle says
This was so juicy and flavorful. A fun way to jazz up chicken, I’m sure I will make again and again.
Heather says
My husband made a very similar marinade last week. It was so good, I want to put it on everything.
Romy says
What a yummy & refreshing chicken recipe! This is totally perfect for summer BBQs
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This chicken marinade is seriously making me hungry!
Amanda says
I haven’t had chicken this good in a long time!
Beth says
This recipe looks so delicious! I think I’ll be making this tonight. Thanks!
Noelle says
This marinade was so perfect! The flavors are perfect for summer, yum!
Katie says
I think this may be our favorite summer dinner ever! The marinade is absolute perfection. We loved every bite.
Kristyn says
Your chicken looks so juicy & tasty!! Chicken is my favorite thing to eat, make, grill & I love everything about this marinade! It adds great flavor!
Liz says
This recipe looks great! My husband and my 9 year old are going to love it. I’ve been looking for tasty marinades so this is perfect!
Natalie says
That marinade sounds dreamy. I bet meat is tender and so tasty afterwards. I love that you added ginger. I can’t wait to give this marinade a try.
Rachael Yerkes says
The perfect marinade to get through summer with. This is sooooo good!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
This definitely sounds like a marinade I need to add into my rotation – the flavour sounds incredible!
Rebecca says
thanks for the tip about over-marinating the chicken! I didn’t and it was so tender & juicy!
Toni Dash says
Sure. It’s not true of all marinades but with the high citrus content meat shouldn’t be marinated too long.
Lauren Kelly says
Love this marinade! So easy and incredibly delicious!