This Lemon Pepper Balsamic Chicken Marinade is bright, spicy, tangy, and sweet. It’s a delicious and simple way to marinate your chicken so that it comes out juicy and flavorful! After using this quick marinade, you can grill or bake your chicken to perfection. The balsamic marinade for chicken is one of my favorites.
What’s in Lemon Balsamic Chicken Marinade?
With the tangy balsamic vinegar, fresh lemon juice, lemon pepper, and subtly sweet honey, you’ll be drooling over this easy chicken marinade the moment the first drop hits your lips.
- Balsamic Vinegar: With sweet notes of fig, molasses, and cherry, balsamic makes for an ultra-rich and mildly tart marinade for chicken
- Olive Oil: Olive oil adds a lot of flavor to the chicken and gives it a nice sear when cooking.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon and balsamic have always been a great pair. It adds acidity and a wonderful brightness to the marinade.
- Honey: Honey adds a sweet and earthy flavor that tastes amazing on chicken.
- Salt: Salt is here to make all the flavors of the marinade pop!
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: A key component to this balsamic chicken marinade, lemon pepper adds a kick of zest and spice that brings everything together.
Recipe Variations
What’s great about this lemon pepper balsamic marinade is that you can easily tweak it to your liking.
Rather not use lemon juice? Try using lime juice or orange juice instead for a different kind of citrus. You could also mix up the flavor profile by swapping/adding different seasonings like Italian seasoning, Fajita seasoning, Cajun seasoning, etc.
And if you love a bit of heat, red pepper flakes, cayenne, or chili powder are all great ways to spice things up!
Technically it’s not necessary whatsoever to marinate your chicken before you make it, but I definitely highly recommend taking a little extra time to do it every once in a while.
Marinating chicken allows you to get that extra kick of flavor as the juices and spices soak into the meat instead of just sitting on the top layer.
You are also likely to get a juicer product at the end because marinating meat creates a slight tissue break down which allows more moisture to be absorbed. So, if you like flavorful juicy chicken, then this recipe is for you!
No, this marinade is not suitable for marinating your chicken overnight because of the acidity of the lemon juice. If you marinate the chicken for more than 4 hours, the texture of your chicken will become undesirable. Any longer, and the acid will start “cooking” the chicken instead of flavoring it.
This lemon pepper balsamic chicken marinade works great for any cuts of chicken, whether that’s boneless/bone-in chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks.
How to Store Lemon Pepper Balsamic Chicken Marinade
It’s important to note that you should not save any leftover marinade that’s already been used. The raw chicken has contaminated the mixture, and you will need to throw it away.
However, if you want to make the balsamic chicken marinade ahead of time, store it in a plastic bag, jar, or another airtight container, in the fridge (without the chicken) for 3-4 days.
How to Freeze Balsamic Marinated Chicken
We do not recommend freezing the marinade on its own, But if you want to freeze the chicken in the marinade, simply add the chicken to the bag of marinade — making sure to squeeze out any air before closing. Then freeze it for up to 3 months.
When ready to use, let it thaw in the fridge. The chicken will marinate as it thaws.
How to Use This Balsamic Chicken Marinade
Place chicken in a resealable bag with the marinade, seal, and let it sit in the refrigerator to marinate. Use it to make baked lemon pepper chicken, lemon pepper chicken skillet, and Air Fryer lemon pepper wings. Or use it with any chicken you prefer, including chicken thighs, breasts, and drumsticks. Marinate then cook with your favorite method, including grilling or baking.
Lemon Pepper Balsamic Chicken Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
Instructions
- Stir all the ingredients together in a medium bowl.1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
- Pour into a bag and add chicken. Close bag and make sure the chicken is fully coated.
- Marinate chicken for 30-60 minutes in the fridge and the cook as desired!
Jennifer says
Easy to make and a huge hit with the family!!
Becky Hardin says
SO happy to hear that!
Jen says
This looks like exactly what I need to get us out of our boring dinner rut. Sounds so flavorful!
Becky Hardin says
Hope you love it, Jen!
Aimee Shugarman says
OMG this marinade was SOOOOO good!
Becky Hardin says
YAYAYAYAYAYAY!
Toni says
I loved this! It was really flavorful!!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks Toni, so glad you loved it!
Cheryl S says
This sounds perfect for the chicken I have out for dinner tonight! May use it on fish next week!!
Becky Hardin says
I love that idea!
Betty Hintz says
The only thing I did different when making this chicken was I used a Balsamic Vinegarette Dressing along with all the other ingredients. I made this for a group of friends for a meeting and they loved it.
Becky Hardin says
I absolutely love that idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Terry says
This is so good. Perfect balance of flavors!
Becky Hardin says
Thank you Terry!!
Pam says
This was so yummy…kids love it…made it 3 times already!!! Thanks Becky
Becky Hardin says
You’re so welcome!! I’m glad you all love it!
Stephanie Bates says
I’m making cornish game Hens. I added lemon zest and fresh parsley. I think its gonna turn out nice rotisserated tonight. I hope my dad likes it.
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for sharing, Stephanie! I hope your dad likes it, too.
Lena Sirsiris says
Where do I get lemon pepper seasoning? Thanks.
Becky Hardin says
Almost any grocery store in the seasoning and spices section!