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All-Star Grilled Chicken

All-star grilled chicken with an easy marinade that balances savory soy, tangy lemon, and sweet brown sugar. Grill until juicy and evenly cooked, hitting a 165°F internal temperature with clear grill marks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

chicken pieces
  • 2.5 lb chicken pieces Use a mix of bone-in or boneless pieces for even grilling.
marinade
  • 0.33 cup olive oil
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Make the marinade
  1. Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, brown sugar, black pepper, and paprika until fully combined and glossy.
Marinate
  1. Add chicken pieces to the refrigerator and marinate for 2-8 hours, turning once halfway so the marinade clings evenly.
Grill the chicken
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, around 375-450°F, until hot enough to sizzle when chicken touches the grates.
  2. Place marinated chicken on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part.
Rest and serve
  1. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute and the surface stays tender.

Notes

For best results, pat the chicken slightly dry after marinating so you get better grill marks instead of steaming. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for 3-4 days; freeze cooked chicken up to 2 months for quick reheats. For a lower-sodium option, use low-sodium soy sauce and keep all other flavors the same.