• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Dinner » Chicken Thigh Marinade

Published: March 10, 2021 Last Modified: March 10, 2021 By Sara 39 Comments

Chicken Thigh Marinade

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
This chicken thigh marinade is a savory blend of fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon and seasonings.

This chicken thigh marinade is a savory blend of fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon and seasonings. The marinade can be used for grilled, broiled or baked chicken thighs with perfect results every time!

I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to prepare chicken thighs. Some of my family’s favorite recipes include Moroccan chicken, chicken shawarma and chicken that’s been coated in this simple and flavorful marinade.

This chicken thigh marinade is a savory blend of fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon and seasonings. This chicken thigh marinade is a savory blend of fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon and seasonings.

Chicken thigh marinade that's grilled onto chicken pieces.

I happen to love chicken thighs – they’re inexpensive, flavorful and are much more tender and juicy than chicken breasts. This chicken thigh marinade brings out the best in this cut of meat, and best of all it takes just minutes to put together.

How do you make chicken thigh marinade?

Whisk together a mixture of olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon zest, garlic and herbs in a large bowl. Add the chicken thighs and spoon the marinade over the top. Cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to eat, remove the chicken from the marinade, then grill, broil or bake it.

Bowls of ingredients including garlic, herbs, olive oil and soy sauce.

How long can you marinate chicken thighs?

You should marinate your chicken for a minimum of 1 hour, and a maximum of 24 hours. If you go over 24 hours, the texture of the meat may change and become softer.

Raw chicken thighs in a bowl of marinade.

Tips for the perfect marinade

  • This marinade can be made up to 3 days before you plan to use it. The olive oil in the marinade may solidify if stored in the fridge for an extended period of time. Simply let the marinade sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes and the olive oil will liquefy again.
  • If you’re using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, you really can use any cooking method including grilling, sauteeing or baking in the oven. For bone-in chicken thighs, I recommend cooking in the oven for more even heating and air circulation since this cut of meat takes longer to cook.
  • No chicken thighs on hand? You can use another cut of chicken for this marinade such as boneless skinless breasts, chicken tenders, or even chicken drumsticks.
  • This marinade contains sugar which adds great flavor, but can easily burn if you’re grilling your chicken. Be sure to grill your chicken over medium heat or use an indirect heat grilling method.

Chicken on a grill pan.

How long does it take to cook chicken thighs?

Boneless skinless chicken thighs will cook in about 6-7 minutes per side on the grill or in a pan on the stove. You can bake boneless skinless thighs at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs will bake at 400 degrees F for about 45 minutes. You can also use a meat thermometer to gauge when your chicken is done. The chicken should register at least 165 degrees F to be safe to eat.

Chicken Thigh Marinade Flavor Variations

  • Spice Lover’s: Like a little heat? Add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to taste.
  • Herb Lover’s: Add additional tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs such as chives, rosemary, sage, basil or dill.
  • Asian Style: Use a blend of olive oil, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh ginger, green onions and garlic.
  • Mexican: Use the chicken marinade from my burrito bowl recipe.

Marinated chicken thighs served with couscous and asparagus.

Once you try this marinade, you’ll find yourself using it on a regular basis! It’s a great way to turn plain old chicken into something extraordinary.

More chicken recipes to try

  • Chicken Milanese
  • Baked Chicken Thighs
  • BBQ Chicken
  • Ginger Chicken
  • Baked Cajun Chicken

Chicken Thigh Marinade Video

Chicken thigh marinade that's grilled onto chicken pieces.
Print Pin
5 from 34 votes

Chicken Thigh Marinade

This chicken thigh marinade is a savory blend of fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon and seasonings. The marinade can be used for grilled, broiled or baked chicken thighs with perfect results every time!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 11 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 183kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk until well combined.
  • Add 2 pounds of chicken thighs to the bowl and spoon the marinade over the top.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 24 hours.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 893mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Dinner

FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

    ​
    ​

    Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

    « Instant Pot Corned Beef
    Instant Pot Carnitas »

    Comments

    1. Claudia says

      June 22, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent marinade! For those interested, I baked the chicken on rack on a baking sheet at 425° for about 35-40 minutes. Turned out great!

      Reply
    2. Ss says

      June 17, 2022 at 7:38 am

      What is best way to cook this chicken?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        June 17, 2022 at 10:46 am

        I typically grill it! You can also bake it in the oven.

        Reply
    3. Joan says

      May 13, 2022 at 7:57 am

      Do you have a recipe for the side dish in the picture? Is it a cous cous?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        May 17, 2022 at 9:16 am

        It’s a boxed couscous pilaf with vegetables and parsley mixed in!

        Reply
    4. Andrea says

      May 11, 2022 at 5:29 am

      5 stars
      Delicious marinade! The whole family loved it. Thank you!

      Reply
    5. Audri says

      April 20, 2022 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      I love this marinade!!!! The first time I made it a month ago, I held back tears because there weren’t any leftovers for me to have the next day (just to clarify, I’m 8 months pregnant). Now I make sure to really make a ton so I can have leftovers 😂

      Reply
    6. Sasha says

      April 17, 2022 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      This was sooooo good. I marinated the chicken for 24 hours. I’ll be adding this to the rotation. Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Susan says

      April 17, 2022 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious will definitely make it again. All the ingredients in my pantry.

      Reply
    8. Sharon says

      March 27, 2022 at 4:13 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for a friend to thank her for her hospitality. It was awesome! We only cooked up half the meat and left the other half marinade an extra day. It was even better the next day with our green salads.

      Reply
    9. Jamie k says

      February 25, 2022 at 5:02 am

      5 stars
      I made it and it was pretty good

      Reply
    10. Michele says

      January 29, 2022 at 6:10 pm

      This was very tasty, I will be making this again!

      Reply
    11. Chrystle says

      January 12, 2022 at 7:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is the BEST marinade and I only had it sitting in it for about 30 mins!!
      This is a keeper Thank you 🙂

      Reply
    12. Pam says

      January 7, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      5 stars
      This marinade was the best!!! Tasty and Tender! I used boneless and skinless, will definitely be using it again! Thank you for sharing ❤️

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More

    Grilling Recipes

    A salmon foil packet that can be baked or grilled with seasoned salmon and fresh vegetables.

    Salmon Foil Packets

    Grilled mushrooms coated with garlic butter in a serving bowl.

    Grilled Mushrooms

    This recipe for Greek lemon chicken is marinated chicken that's been grilled to perfection and topped with a bright and delicious tomato and olive relish. The perfect dish for entertaining! #MyNewSaturday #GoogleExpress #ad

    Greek Lemon Chicken

    Grilled bruschetta chicken topped with melted mozzarella cheese, tomato basil bruschetta and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

    Bruschetta Chicken

    Grilled shrimp skewers with lemon wedges and parsley.

    Grilled Shrimp Skewers

    This recipe is for a black bean veggie burger with a Mexican twist! The veggie patty is layered with southwestern sauce, grilled corn, guacamole, cheese and tomatoes to create a hearty vegetarian sandwich.

    Black Bean Veggie Burger

    More Posts from this Category

    Featured Recipes

    Steak kabobs with mushrooms, red onion and bell peppers, brushed with garlic butter.

    Steak Kabobs with Garlic Butter

    This recipe for chicken ranch tacos is grilled chicken with bacon, homemade ranch sauce, cheese and fresh vegetables, all stuffed inside warm flour tortillas. A family friendly meal that's simple to make and fun to eat!

    Chicken Ranch Tacos

    Chicken and green beans coated in honey garlic sauce.

    Chicken and Green Beans

    Bites of sirloin steak in a garlic sauce.

    Steak Bites with Garlic Butter

    FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

      ​
      ​

      Categories

      Sites I am featured In
      PRIVACY POLICY ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2022.
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • RSS
      • Twitter
      • About Me
      • Contact Me
      • All Recipes
      • Dinner
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
      • One Pot Meals
      • Slow Cooker
      • Asian Food