Description
Mexican chicken marinade blends zesty citrus with robust spices for a flavor explosion. Home cooks can elevate grilled or roasted chicken with this simple, versatile mixture you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) chicken breasts
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/8 cup (30 ml) lemon juice
- ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
- 2 tbsps fresh rosemary
- 2 tbsps Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Marinade Fusion: Whisk liquid ingredients in a sturdy ziplock bag, blending herbs and spices into a harmonious flavor profile.
- Chicken Immersion: Submerge chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring complete coating, then seal bag securely within a containment vessel.
- Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate for 8-12 hours, allowing marinades to deeply permeate and tenderize the chicken meat.
- Grill Preparation: Heat grill to a precise 375-400°F, creating an ideal searing environment for optimal chicken caramelization.
- Protein Transfer: Extract chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drain, and carefully position onto preheated grill grates.
- Culinary Precision: Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, rotating once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring complete cooking and crisp exterior.
- Resting Phase: Transfer grilled chicken to a clean platter, allowing 3-5 minutes of rest to redistribute internal moisture and enhance tenderness.
- Final Flourish: Lightly sprinkle kosher salt across the surface to elevate and intensify the chicken’s robust flavor profile before serving.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Infusion: Marinate chicken for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow herbs and spices to deeply penetrate the meat, creating a more robust and delicious taste.
- Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always discard used marinade and use a fresh, clean platter when serving to avoid potential bacterial growth and ensure food safety.
- Achieve Perfect Grill Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat between 375-400°F to create a beautifully charred exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
- Rest for Juicy Results: Let grilled chicken rest 3-5 minutes after cooking to allow internal juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite remains moist and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg