Best Chicken Marinade

Tonight your chicken dinner is in for a major makeover, thanks to the Best Chicken Marinade! This savory Italian marinade will instantly transform your chicken from blah to bold and blissful. You’ll just need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep to effortlessly create your outrageous, juicy chicken!

You can count on this wildly delicious chicken to be the big flavored, no fail dinner you’ve been looking for!

Tiffany writes: “Absolutely delicious! Easy and simple marinade and tastes very similar to Chick-Fil-A’s grilled chicken. A+++”

Whether on the grill OR in the oven… just lovingly soak your chicken in this savory Italian chicken marinade.

Then prepare to be dazzled!

The savory dressing mixed with soy sauce and seasonings creates the best chicken marinade.

It’s simple, delish, and oh-so savory!

It’s true. This quick marinade is one of the easiest things you can do to upgrade your grilled chicken or baked chicken breast.

So get ready to soak your chicken with loads of irresistible savory goodness. Because with so much flavor and so little kitchen cleanup, this big flavored Italian salad dressing chicken marinade is the perfect way to create an unforgettable chicken dinner!

Try it today… then enjoy even more delicious grilled chicken when you also try my flavorful Ranch Chicken Marinade, authentic Chicken Gyros Recipe, and taste bud pleasing Honey Mustard Marinade!

Now here’s what you’ll need to create the best chicken marinade in just minutes…

What is the Basic Marinade Formula?

Every good marinade has 3 main components: Acid, Oil and Seasonings.

Once you’ve got the basic formula for preparing the best chicken marinade down, the options are endless!

For example, in this savory Italian salad dressing chicken marinade, we have oil in the dressing, acid in the soy sauce, and use garlic, onion and pepper for the seasonings.

How Long Should You Marinate Chicken?

For the best texture and flavor, I recommend marinating your chicken for a minimum of 5 hours… all the way up to overnight.

With all Chicken Marinade Recipes, the maximum you’ll want to marinate your meat is 24 hours.

What is the Easiest Way to Flatten Chicken Breast?

To flatten your chicken breasts to an even thickness for grilling, simply place one chicken breast between two large pieces of plastic wrap.

Then using the flat side of a meat mallet or tenderizer, gently pound your chicken breast flat, starting in the middle.

Repeat the process for each chicken breast.

Now your chicken will cook more evenly, being a similar thickness.

Ingredients

You’ll just need 5 simple ingredients to make the BEST chicken marinade for grilling!

First check your pantry, cupboards or refrigerator. Then add the following to your next grocery list to make sure you’ve got everything on hand…

• Italian Dressing – Use your favorite brand of Italian dressing to marinade chicken.
• Soy Sauce – Tenderizes the meat, adds a savory flavor, and adds salt to enhance all of the flavors. Make sure to use a high quality soy sauce for the best flavor.
• Garlic Powder – Adds a savory pop of garlicky flavor.
• Onion Powder – Adds a major boost of sweet and savory flavor.
• Black Pepper – Enhances the marinade’s flavor with depth and a hint of heat.

With Easy Recipes for The Grill like this Italian chicken marinade, you’ll also need a gallon sized freezer bag to get the job done.

How to Make The Best Chicken Marinade

You’re not going to believe how fast and EASY it is to make the Best chicken marinade for preparing Italian dressing grilled chicken

First you’ll need to grab a bowl, whisk, ingredients, and a gallon sized freezer bag.

Then do this…

1. Combine all your ingredients in mixing bowl.

2. Whisk until well everything is well combined.

3. Pour the mixture into a gallon size Freezer Bag.

4. Add the thin cut or flattened Chicken to the Freezer Bag, and transfer to Refrigerator to marinate.

5. Flip your bag multiple times as your chicken marinates.

Then… you can either prepare your chicken right after marinating, or place your bag of Italian dressing marinated chicken in the freezer for some Freezer Friendly Meal Prep.

Scroll down for the printable best chicken marinade recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.

Italian Dressing Marinated Chicken Variations

Want to change things up a bit? Go for it!

To make the best chicken marinade that is also Soy-Free, try this…

• Use 1 cup Italian Dressing
• 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
• Half of a White Onion, sliced

Add it to your bag with the same amount of chicken, and transfer to the refrigerator to marinate.

It’s SO easy… we’ve even taken this camping to upgrade our Camping Menu Plan. We grilled it on our little bbq at dinner time for a nice alternative to burgers and hot dogs!

Judy writes: “I have been making this for years and everyone always raves about it. Like another commenter, I just bake my chicken in the oven in the Italian dressing, just pour it right over the top of the chicken. People fight for seconds on this and also want extra of the marinade that baked with the chicken. They will dip every bite of chicken into it, and always ask for my recipe. They looked puzzled when I say ” sure, pour Italian dressing over chicken and bake it.”

How To Prepare Italian Dressing Grilled Chicken

You can grill your pre-marinated chicken on the grill outside, by grilling your chicken for 8 minutes on each side at 400 degrees. Or until internal temperature of your chicken is 165 degrees.

Or instead, you can simply grill it on a grill pan inside.

What To Serve With Your Savory Grilled Chicken

Now are you wondering what delicious Side Dish Recipes to serve with your grilled chicken?

To start, you can’t go wrong with a side of my fresh and sassy Sweet Vinegar Coleslaw or Broccoli Salad Recipe with bacon.

Then, finish off your fabulous dinner with some Sweet Homemade Cornbread and a hefty serving of my heavenly bacon loaded Baked Beans Recipe.

Reviews

Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about making this easy grilled chicken Italian dressing marinade recipe…

Tiffany writes: “Absolutely delicious! Easy and simple marinade and tastes very similar to Chick-Fil-A’s grilled chicken. A+++”

Aubrey writes: “Absolutely loved this marinade!”

Lindsey writes: “So good and super easy! Gives the chicken a great flavor and keeps it juicy!”

Heather writes: “I always have every ingredient on hand! This is a chicken game-changer!”

Holly writes: “It was good! Just a few ingredients made is so easy and so tasty!”

Cat writes: “This was great for grilled chicken, thanks”

Danielle writes: “Was so delicious and savory just as it says! Such a compliment to the white rice and green beans!”

Nika writes: “Yum! So few ingredients & so tasty!”

Tiffany writes: “It was awesome! Super juicy and I only had to marinate it for 3 hrs. Came out great. I did use onion salt instead of onion powder. Will be making this again for the family! It got inhaled!”

Karen writes: “So easy to make and so delicious!!!!!!”

Kate writes: “Only marinated for 2 hours and I was worried it wouldn’t have enough flavor, but it was fantastic. Super flavorful and juicy chicken! Loved it.”

Sarah writes: “Very tender and flavorful. Husband enjoyed.”

Valerie writes: “I made this and it so good!! I baked mine and it turned out delish!!”

Brandon writes: “I added Worcestershire sauce and it turns out great! Made this several times with great success.”

Bianca writes: “This marinade is in a regular rotation in my kitchen. I use it with chicken breasts and thighs. My favorite way is for chicken kabobs. I also add some red pepper flakes occasionally. It’s a keeper.”

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Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!

Thanks to frugal friend Steph for sharing this fabulous Marinade Recipe!