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Garlic Soy Marinade for Grilled Chicken

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Course Recipe Component
Cuisine East Asian
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Zip-top bag or shallow dish for marinating
  • Grill or grill pan
  • Tongs

Ingredients
  

For the marinade

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce regular or low-sodium
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar for a deeper flavor
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated (optional but adds depth)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes optional for a kick

For the chicken

  • 2 pounds chicken boneless thighs, breasts, or drumsticks

Instructions
 

Mix the Marinade

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, black pepper, and red chili flakes until well combined.
    glass mixing bowl containing a marinade

Prep the Chicken

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the marinade sticks better. Place the chicken in a zip-top bag or a shallow dish.

Marinate

  1. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor).

Preheat the Grill

  1. Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Oil the grates to prevent sticking.

Grill the Chicken

  1. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill for 5–7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

Rest and Serve

  1. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds, if desired.