Marinated grilled chicken breasts is a quintessential summer recipe that everyone needs. The marinade packs in flavor and makes the most tender chicken. Grilling it adds a smoky flavor that you’ll want all summer long!

We all know that I was the pickiest eater and blah, blah, blah…but chicken was my go-to. I usually went with a roasted whole chicken, but I would have been all over this marinated grilled chicken recipe!

The sweet lemony marinade creates the most juicy and flavorful chicken! Sometimes, chicken breasts can be a little dry and boring. Not with this marinade! No, ma’am! This will take your average chicken dinner to the next level.

A plate of grilled chicken breasts. There are grilled lemon slices in the background and a knife and fork next to the plate of chicken.

What Ingredients are Needed for Marinated Grilled Chicken?

A chicken marinade isn’t just made willy-nilly. Every ingredient has a purpose and plays a role in making a juicy and bold bite. See the recipe card below for the measurements. These are the ingredients you will need:

  • Chicken Breasts

Marinade

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Honey
  • Lemon Juice
  • Soy Sauce
  • Brown Sugar
  • Garlic Powder
  • Salt
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Dean Jacob’s 4 Spice Variety Pack Tuscany Blend (see section below)

The honey and brown sugar give sweetness and a crusty outer layer when grilled. The soy sauce provides a salty depth of flavor, and the lemon, mustard, and garlic lock in that bold flavor you want in a marinade. Dean Jacob’s spice pack is the icing on the cake!

A zip lock bag with chicken breasts in a marinade.

How to Make Marinated Grilled Chicken

The recipe card below lists detailed instructions for making this recipe, but here are the basic steps for now:

Marinade

  • We like to mix all the marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag—the kids have fun squishing everything together! You can also use a baking dish, covering it with plastic wrap while the flavors meld.
  • Once the ingredients are well mixed, add the chicken in the bag and let it marinate.
Chicken breasts in marinating in a zip lock bag. Lemon slices are in the background.

Grill

  • Heat the grill to high
  • Add the chicken.
  • Reduce the heat on the grill to medium.
  • Grill the chicken for 4-6 minutes per side.
  • Remove the chicken to a cutting board and tent with foil for 5 minutes.
  • Slice and serve.

Spice Pack

Tracking down a specific spice pack at the grocery store can be a hassle! I’ve always found Dean Jacob’s 4 Spice Variety Pack Tuscany Blend at Walmart, but if you can’t, here are some great alternatives:

  • Order from Amazon – cue the angels singing! (link above)
  • Make your own version of Dean Jacob’s – Mix ¼ cup Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon minced dry sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon dried basil.
  • Use Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse Blend – I usually grab it at Costco, but Walmart and other grocery stores carry it too.
  • Try McCormick’s Greek Seasoning – A great, easy swap!
  • Create your own blend – Use a mix of garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a touch of paprika.

How Long Should Chicken Be Marinated?

Marinating chicken for as little as 30 minutes can make a huge difference in texture and flavor. I don’t like to marinate chicken for any longer than 12 hours. If you go for longer, it starts to toughen the meat.

Is It Safe To Reheat Grilled Chicken?

Grilled chicken can be reheated in the oven.

Heat oven to 250 degrees, wrap chicken in foil, and place in oven until warmed through.

meat on a plate with a fork next to the plate and charred lemon slices in the background.

Why Do You Marinate Meat?

Marinating not only enhances flavor but also tenderizes the meat. For even more tenderness, use a meat mallet to pound the chicken before cooking!

Are Chicken Breasts Healthier Than Thighs?

Breasts are lower in fat than thighs, but they are about the same in calories. This marinade is also delicious on chicken thighs, so feel free to use either cut!

Can You Freeze Grilled Chicken?

Grilled Chicken breasts can be frozen for about a month. If I end up with leftover chicken, I like to slice it and then freeze it. It is perfect for a wrap at lunch or to top a salad!

A plate of sliced, tender meat with lemon slices in the background. The plate is sitting on a blue and white striped cloth with a knife and fork next to the plate.

What to Eat with Grilled Chicken Breasts?

You have your chicken marinating in the fridge, but what should you eat with it? Let me share a few of our favorite side dishes:

If none of those strike your fancy, then head to all our side dish recipes and find one that does! This chicken is so versatile, it goes with just about anything!

Marinated grilled chicken breasts are a healthy, sensible dinner that is so moist and flavorful! You’ll be making this all summer long!  I’m heading out to fire up the grill now!

More Marinated Chicken Dishes You’re Sure to Love:

Marinated Grilled Chicken

4.60 from 5 votes
Servings: 5
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes

Description

Marinated grilled chicken breasts is a quintessential summer recipe that everyone needs. The marinade packs in flavor and makes the most tender chicken. Grilling it adds a smoky flavor that you'll want all summer long!

Ingredients 

  • 4 Chicken Breasts

Marinade

Instructions

For the Marinade

  • In a large ziplock bag, add the marinade ingredients. Seal the bag and squish to combine the ingredients. 
    1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar, 1/4 Cup Honey, 1/2 Lemon, 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce, 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder, 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt, 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard, 2 teaspoons Dean Jacob's 4 Spice Variety Pack Tuscany Blend
  • Open the bag and carefully drop in the chicken. 
    4 Chicken Breasts
  • Allow to marinate in the fridge for 1-12 hours. 
  • Heat grill to high and add the chicken.
  • Turn grill down to medium and grill chicken for 4-6 minutes per side.
  • Remove the chicken to a cutting board and tent with foil for 5 minutes. Slice and serve.

Notes

If you cannot find Dean Jacob’s 4 Spice Variety Pack Tuscany Blend at Walmart, you have a few options:
    • Order from Amazon – cue the angels singing! (link above)
    • Make your own version of Dean Jacob’s – Mix ¼ cup Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon minced dry sun-dried tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon dried basil.
    • Use Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse Blend – I usually grab it at Costco, but Walmart and other grocery stores carry it too.
    • Try McCormick’s Greek Seasoning – A great, easy swap!
    • Create your own blend – Use a mix of garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a touch of paprika.
Grilled chicken can be reheated by wrapping in foil and placing in a 250 degree oven until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ouncesCalories: 569kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 40gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 1868mgPotassium: 785mgFiber: 1gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg
Author: Carrian Cheney
Course: Mom’s Best 100 Easy Chicken Recipes

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A plate of chicken breasts. There are lemon slices in the background and a knife and fork next to the plate of chicken.