For another chicken marinade recipe, check out Mojito Grilled Chicken Thighs.

The grilling season is here and we couldn’t be happier. Yay, for lighter meals cooked outside, fresh produce and summer holidays! Burgers are great but most of the time I find myself wanting something a bit lighter. I prefer grilled chicken for my BBQs and if you share my affection, you will want to know my secret for tender and juicy chicken breasts cooked over fire. 

4 Ingredient Chicken Marinade

buttermilk garlic smoked paprika lemon juice

What is meat marinade?

Marinade is a liquid mixture that is designed to add flavour and improve the texture of various meets through tenderising them. 

What does buttermilk do to chicken?

The marinade recipe I am sharing today is quite special if not slightly unusual. It is  buttermilk based. Buttermilk is a magic ingredient as it tenderises the chicken and makes it juicier, which is extremely important when cooked in the intense heat of the grill. 

How long can I marinate chicken for?

I recommend marinating chicken overnight for best flavour, always in the fridge. 2 hours is the shortest amount of time, in which the chicken will still benefit from this marinade.  You should never marinate chicken longer than for 2 days according to food safety guidelines. 

What container should I use for marinating?

Avoid using metal, aluminium foil or glazed pottery containers as the acid in the marinade will react with the listed materials. 

Can I use chicken marinade as a sauce afterwards?

Generally yes but only after it’s been boiled for at least 10 minutes. However, it is not the case with the buttermilk based marinade. It should NOT be used as a sauce but discarded. 

Side dishes to go with your grilled chicken:

Greek Orzo Salad Russian Potato Salad Mediterranean Salad with Fried Halloumi and Hummus Herby Farro Salad 4 Ingredient Chicken Marinade - 694 Ingredient Chicken Marinade - 724 Ingredient Chicken Marinade - 54 Ingredient Chicken Marinade - 134 Ingredient Chicken Marinade - 374 Ingredient Chicken Marinade - 39