The Best, Simple BBQ Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe is healthy, easy, and perfect for summer cookouts. Marinate your wings, legs, or chicken breasts overnight. You can even drizzle in your favorite spicy BBQ sauce. This seasoning is kid-friendly and works well for baked chicken, too!
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This post was originally published in April 2017 and has since been updated.
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The best-grilled chicken marinade for cookouts was born during my college days. I was one of a few people who lived off campus and owned an outdoor grill. The moment I was shown how to work a grill I was determined to become a pro user! Chicken and burgers were my favorite items to throw on the grill.
I still love serving grilled chicken wings, drumsticks, and burgers at all of my cookouts. I learned early on the secret to successful grilling is having an amazing marinade recipe.
A key component to my marinade is McCormick's Grill Mates line. I also typically marinate the night before I plan to grill. I let the juices and spices soak into the meat overnight using Ziploc bags.
You can use this marinade as a fast marinade for grilled chicken when you don't have time, but for optimal flavor marinate for at least 2 hours.
Table of Contents
How to Make Homemade Grilled Chicken Marinade
- Drizzle the chicken in low-sodium soy sauce, liquid smoke, and season with McCormick's Grill Mates Chicken Seasoning, McCormick's BBQ Seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Marinate the chicken overnight in sealable plastic bags.
How to Marinade/Marinate Chicken for BBQ
I like to use liquid to marinate because it helps ensure juicy chicken. In this recipe, I use low-sodium soy sauce, which makes the chicken juicy and also adds flavor.
The right combination of seasoning is key, too. I love the Grill Mates line by McCormick's. They have virtually every seasoning you can think of to compliment grilling.
How Long Should You Marinate Chicken? How Long Should I Let My Chicken Marinade/Marinate?
You can safely marinate raw chicken for up to 2 days. I usually opt for overnight/a little less than 24 hours.
You can marinate chicken for a minimum of 1 hour. You can read more about How to Marinate Chicken here.
Can You Marinate Chicken Too Long?
Yes, chicken starts to become unsafe after marinating for 2 days.
Can You Marinate Cooked Chicken?
It does not make sense to. The purpose of marinating is to produce juicy meat that is loaded with flavor. It should be done while the meat is in a raw state.
How Do You Grill Chicken on a Gas Grill?
- Preheat the grill on High for 10-15 minutes.
- Adjust the temperature to 400 degrees and medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken for about 10 minutes and flip halfway through.
You can read more about How to Grill Chicken on a Gas Grill here.
Can You Marinate Chicken in BBQ Sauce?
Absolutely! I typically do not marinate with BBQ sauce. I like for the BBQ sauce to be an optional addition, especially when serving it to a large group of people.
What Temp to Bring the Marinade When Basting Grilled Chicken
I like to grill the chicken at 400 degrees.
What is the Best Marinade for Chicken Leg to Be Grilled
The best marinades are a combo of acidity (soy sauce has some acid, but low), fat (butter is added to the chicken after cooking), and sweetness (which can be found in the seasonings and herbs used to marinate).
You can pair the chicken with Grilled Steaks or brisket, too.
Check out my steak marinade recipe documented within these posts:
Spicy Low-Carb Steak Lettuce Wraps
Sheet Pan Steak and Veggies
Here are a few other links to side dishes served for dinner:
Southern Style Soul Food Homestyle Baked Mac and Cheese
Southern Style Green Beans
Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Fries
Instant Pot Ribs
Instant Pot Potato Salad
Crack Mashed Potatoes
The Best, Simple BBQ Grilled Chicken Marinade Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- low-sodium soy sauce Use enough to coat the chicken so that it does not dry out while in the bags. I used a few tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2 tablespoon McCormick's Montreal Chicken Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon McCormick's BBQ Seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (omit if dairy free)
Instructions
- Drizzle the liquid smoke and soy sauce over the chicken.
- Add the chicken to Ziploc bags. Add the seasonings to the bag and shake to ensure the chicken is fully coated. Seal the bags. Refrigerate overnight.
- Grill the chicken on medium high heat. Flip the chicken a few times to ensure it is fully cooked on both sides. I grilled the chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Cooking time will vary depending on your grill.
- Melt the butter in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
- Using a cooking brush, coat the chicken with the melted butter.
- Remove the chicken from the grill. Serve!
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Hope says
Ooh this looks like a delicious marinade! I do love cooking outside, we are heading into cooler weather where I am but still trying to make the most of cooking outside when can!
swayam says
This is so so delicious!! Would love this right now
Claire@foodiequine says
These chicken wings and drumsticks look soo tasty. I am now looking forward to warmer weather here to try out this marinade. Glad you had a great family Easter celebration, the brisket looked gorgeous too.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
Those look incredible! Amazing you had good enough weather for Easter to be outside! Sounds like a fun day.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
Marinated chicken is so delicious, and perfect for a family meal. Lots of lovely flavours infusing in to the meat.
Veena Azmanov says
I love a good marinade and this does look good. Those wings and drumsticks look good. Saving this for later. Can't wait to try,
Cricket Plunkett says
This marinade chars up the chicken great! Looks like one flavorful dish!
Felesha Bell says
I just love working with marinades. It's the best way to enjoy so many proteins. Yum!!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
With grilling season just around the corner, it is time to get stocked up on all the sauces/dry rubs and marinades. This sounds delicious and can be used on so many different dishes.
Bintu says
My son would adore this chicken with the scrumptious marinades.
Rebecca Bryant says
Oh, my I am drooling. I cook so go for a good piece of grilled chicken. I am totally grilling out this weekend.
Alicia Taylor says
I bet that marinade would be good on vegetables, too! I like McCormick's as well. They have a wonderful line of seasonings, spices, and mixes.
Katie says
Your spread looks so good - and that tablecloth is pretty. Memorial Day is just around the corner. We may have to put that marinade to work for some cookouts.
Lois Alter Mark says
Okay, I am so hungry now looking at those delicious photos! It's amazing what a marinade can do - I'm going to have to try this next time we grill.
Heather Lawrence says
Question, does the liquid smoke make it taste like you put it on the BBQ?
We have never tried it or seen it before.
staysnatched says
It makes it taste as though you put it in a smoker. So it gives it the BBQ and smoker taste.
1stopmom says
I love McCormicks Grill Mates seasoning too. I have even added it to chicken or pork in my slow cooker and it added some great flavor. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Laura B says
I love soy sauce and I bet it would make an amazing part of a marinade. I can't wait to try this recipe out!
reesa says
My husband just told me he wants to grill up some chicken this weekend! I will have to send him this recipe!
Jacqui Odell says
This sounds super yummy!! I love summer time. It's perfect for grilling!
Priya Shiva says
wow! these grilled chicken wings look so delicious! I love your dining set up too!
Molly Kumar says
This looks so delicious and easy to prepare for a big cookout. I love using liquid smoke, ads so much flavor to the meat.
Shelby says
This looks like it is full of flavor! I love fresh grilled chicken and have a marinade that I have used most of my adult life from the popular "Fireman's Field Day BBQ's". However, I love to change things up too and the ingredient combination in your recipe sound tasty! Can't wait to give it a try!
Bintu says
This sounds like the perfect marinade - definitely going to have to give it a try next time I'm having a cookout!
camila says
Just in time for Memorial Day weekend!! Delicious recipe!
Alanna says
Made these this weekend and SO GOOD. Highly recommend. I haven’t found the perfect chicken wing marinade until now and this is it.
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it.
Easy E says
This is a hit that sticks like grits! This has become my go to marinade for grilled wings. It never misses. I add bbq sauce at the end of grilling instead of butter, and it is…*chef’s kiss*. I gotta try the butter version one day too!
staysnatched says
I’m glad you enjoy it.
Erika says
This is the ONLY grilled chicken marinade I use, because it hits EVERY TIME. Now that grilling season is upon us again, it’s time to break out old faithful. Brandi, thanks for sharing this recipe!