Best Chicken Marinade for Oven
A simple oven chicken marinade that keeps chicken breast juicy, tender, and full of flavor every time. Perfect for easy baked chicken dinners with reliable results and minimal ingredients.
Equipment
- Baking sheet or baking dish
- Mixing Bowl
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, paprika, black pepper, and oregano.
- Add chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours for deeper flavor.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess drip off.
- Place the chicken on a lined baking sheet or in a baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- For a golden finish, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan or the chicken will steam instead of roast
- Remove excess marinade for better browning
- Works with chicken breast, thighs, or drumsticks (adjust cook time as needed)
- Letting the chicken rest helps keep it tender and juicy