Description
This Juicy Mediterranean Chicken Marinade infuses chicken with bright, fresh flavors of lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. Quick to prepare and versatile, it tenderizes the chicken while adding bold Mediterranean-inspired taste, perfect for grilling, baking, or stovetop cooking.
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (recommended: Colavita)
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, add 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, and 2 teaspoons dried oregano.
- Whisk Marinade: Vigorously whisk all ingredients together until the marinade is smooth, emulsified, and slightly creamy in texture.
- Marinate Chicken: Pour the marinade over 2 to 3 pounds of chicken in a sealed container or zip-top bag, ensuring all pieces are fully coated.
- Refrigerate: Refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, marinate for 4 to 8 hours but not exceeding 24 hours to avoid mushiness from the lemon juice.
- Cook Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade and cook it by your preferred method such as grilling, baking, or pan-searing until fully cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).
Notes
- Optional variations include adding smoked paprika for smokiness or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Fresh chopped parsley or basil can be added for extra freshness.
- Adding a tablespoon of plain yogurt creates a creamier marinade with deeper savory notes.
- Store unused marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Discard marinade that has touched raw chicken after use.
- Marinated cooked chicken can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and should be reheated gently.
- This marinade also works well on vegetables like zucchini, peppers, and mushrooms.
- Mustard alternatives include Dijon or stone-ground mustard.
- You can freeze chicken directly in the marinade for easy meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-30 minutes (depending on cooking method used for chicken)
- Category: Marinade
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
