This lemon garlic chicken marinade with mustard and herbs is bursting with flavour and transforms a simple chicken dinner into something special. Whether you’re grilling, baking, or craving chicken kebabs, this easy marinade is just what you need to elevate your meal. Perfect for summer BBQs or baked chicken dishes all year round.
Why You Will Love this Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
In our house, chicken is a staple that we eat several times a week. It is versatile and high in protein, but it can sometimes become a little bit… boring? This delicious marinade will solve that problem! The savoury flavours of mustard and soy sauce pair amazingly with the zesty lemon and the fresh garlic gives the whole thing an extra burst of flavour that will leave you wanting more.
This is an incredibly versatile marinade. It can be used on chicken that will be grilled on a barbecue, fried in a pan or baked in the oven. I love to make kebabs with skinless, boneless chicken thighs and serving them on pita bread with Greek style salad is my favourite! But the marinade can also be used on chicken breasts, or whole chicken thighs and drumsticks. It gives perfect results every time!
Adding a spoonful of dried herbs (or a handful of fresh, if you have them) will bring extra freshness and flavour to this simple marinade.
Ingredients Needed to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade with Mustard and Herbs
- 1 kg chicken (if boneless, it will be more like 1.5 kg if the bone is in)
For the Marinade:
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp Herbes de Provence (or 3 tbsp chopped fresh herbs)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Ingredients Tips and Substitutions
Chicken
If using chicken with the bone in, this recipe will be enough for about 1.5 kg of meat. Using chicken with the skin on will give amazing flavour.
Cooking time will vary depending on which cut of chicken you are using and whether or not you have cut up the meat into smaller pieces.
Mustard
I like to use Dijon mustard, I prefer not to use sweet mustard for this recipe. If you suffer from food allergies, make sure you check the ingredients in your mustard before use.
Herbs
When I have fresh herbs growing in the garden, I like to add them to this recipe. Chives, parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage are all good options. However, using Herbes de Provence also works very well and gives excellent flavour any time of year!
Soy Sauce
I aim to buy high quality organic soy sauce. I use gluten free so that everyone in my family can enjoy the meal. Alternatively, if you would rather not use soy sauce, I have heard that coconut aminos are a good alternative. You could also simply add a teaspoon of salt.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
This recipe could not be easier! Simply mix together the marinade ingredients, add the chicken and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 mins and up to 6 hours.
Cook chicken as required, always making sure that it is cooked thoroughly before serving.
Serving Ideas for this Easy Chicken Marinade
- Whole Chicken Thighs served on a sheet pan with your favourite seasonal veggies – cook in the oven for around 40 mins
- Chicken kebabs using skinless, boneless chicken thighs – cube the chicken into 2.5 cm cubes and place on a skewer. Cook in the oven for about 30 mins 200°C. They would also be amazing on the grill. Serve with pita bread and a greek style salad for a summery meal.
- Chicken breasts – the marinade will make them more tender. Cook whole in the oven for about 30 mins or on the grill.
- Serve with a salad, such as this Summer Roast Vegetable Salad with Roquette or this Roasted Vegetables with Quinoa.
- You can also serve with potato wedges or rice to bulk out the meal.
FAQs
How long should I marinate my chicken?
For best results, marinate for at least 30 min and up to 6 hours.
Can I freeze it in the marinade?
Absolutely, check out this article to find out more.
What cuts of chicken work best?
This marinade is very versatile and will work well on any cut of chicken – breast, thighs (skinless and boneless or whole), even wings would work well. My personal favourite is making kebabs from skinless boneless chicken thighs.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
I like to use an internal thermometer to check the internal temperature – it should read 74°C in the thickest part of the meat. If you don’t have a thermometer, check that the juices are running clear.
Can I use this marinade for chicken drumsticks?
Absolutely! This marinade works extremely well for chicken drumsticks.
Is this marinade gluten free?
This marinade calls for soy sauce, which often contains gluten. You can however buy gluten free soy sauce, which is what I use. Alternatively try coconut aminos, or simply sub for 1 tsp of salt.
Let me know in the comments below how you used this lemon garlic chicken marinade. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on social media @candleinthekitchen, I love seeing your creations!
Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade With Mustard and Herbs
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken if boneless, it will be more like 1.5 kg if the bone is in
For the Marinade:
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp Herbes de Provence or 3 tbsp chopped fresh herbs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- This recipe could not be easier! Simply mix together the marinade ingredients, add the chicken and leave to marinade in the fridge for at least 30 mins and up to 6 hours.
- Cook chicken as required, always making sure that it is cooked thoroughly before serving.
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