Soy Garlic Chicken Marinade
This soy garlic chicken marinade is sweet, savory, and full of flavor. It makes the chicken juicy and tender with a perfectly caramelized finish. You can bake it, grill it, or air fry it with almost no effort.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1½ tbsp honey
- 1½ tbsp brown sugar
- 1½ tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp sesame oil
- 1½ tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp water add more if needed for coating
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 1½ tsp grated ginger or ¾ tsp ground ginger
- 1½ tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, neutral oil, water, garlic, ginger, onion powder, and black pepper until well combined.
- Add chicken thighs and toss until fully coated in the marinade.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2–8 hours for best flavor.
- Cook using your preferred method (oven, air fryer, or grill) until the chicken is fully cooked and beautifully caramelized (see notes).
Notes
Oven: Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and lightly caramelized.
Air Fryer: Cook at 375°F for 14–18 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
Grill: Grill over medium heat for 5–7 minutes per side until fully cooked and slightly charred.
Tip: Let excess marinade drip off before cooking for better browning and flavor.
Calories are an estimate and may vary based on exact ingredients used.