Description
A perfectly balanced chicken thigh marinade with savory, sweet, and tangy flavors that works beautifully for grilling, baking, or pan-searing. This recipe transforms simple chicken thighs into juicy, flavor-packed perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2–3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Combine the Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Keep whisking until the honey is fully dissolved and the mixture looks well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place your chicken thighs in a large, resealable plastic bag or a shallow glass dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate. For the best flavor, let it marinate for at least 2 hours, but if you have the time, letting it go overnight will result in even more tender and flavorful chicken.
- Cook to Perfection: When you’re ready to cook, remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 20-30 minutes before cooking to take the chill off. This helps it cook more evenly. You can grill over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or pan-sear in a hot skillet until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Notes
For best results, marinate for at least 2 hours. Do not use metal bowls for marinating as acidic ingredients can react with metal. Always discard used marinade that has touched raw chicken or boil it vigorously if you want to use it as a sauce. Let chicken rest after cooking for juicier results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Baking, Pan-searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 150mg