Looking for an easy and tasty way to make your chicken more delicious? This 4-Ingredient Chicken Marinade with Honey and Soy Sauce is the answer! Using just four simple ingredients—soy sauce, olive oil, honey, and garlic—you can make a flavorful easy soy sauce chicken marinade that gives your chicken a sweet and savory taste.
Whether you grill, bake, or cook the chicken on the stovetop, this marinade works great with any cooking method. It’s perfect for quick dinners or special meals. Plus, you can freeze the marinated chicken and cook it later for a fast and delicious meal. Try this easy marinade and enjoy juicy, tender chicken every time!
Ingredients
- Soy Sauce: Choose regular soy sauce or a low-sodium version if you prefer less salt.
- Olive Oil: It also keeps the chicken moist during cooking. Neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil work well as substitutes.
- Honey: t also helps create a caramelized crust during cooking. You can substitute honey with brown sugar or maple syrup for similar results.
- Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic for maximum taste, but garlic powder can work in a pinch.
How To Make 4 Ingredient Chicken Marinade With Honey and Soy Sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the following:
- ¼ cup of soy sauce.
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
- 2 tablespoons of honey.
- 2–3 cloves of minced garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder).
- Whisk the ingredients together until they are well-blended. The honey may take a little effort to dissolve completely, so continue whisking until the marinade has a smooth consistency.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
This marinade works well with various cuts of chicken, including breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or even chicken wings. If using chicken breasts, consider pounding them to an even thickness for consistent cooking.Place the chicken pieces into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. If using a bag, seal it tightly and massage the marinade into the chicken for even distribution. If using a dish, cover it with plastic wrap or a lid.
Step 3: Marinating Period
Place the marinating chicken in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat.
For the best results, let the chicken marinate for 2–4 hours. If you have time, marinating overnight will result in the most flavorful and tender chicken.
Marinating for more than 24 hours can break down the proteins too much, resulting in mushy chicken.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
- Choose Your Cooking Method:
- Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for 4–6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken on a lined baking sheet or in a baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes for smaller cuts or 30–35 minutes for larger pieces, flipping halfway through cooking.
- Pan-Cooking: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side, then reduce the heat and cover the skillet to finish cooking.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part.
Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful.
Pro Tips
- If you want extra sauce for drizzling over the chicken or sides, make a double batch of the marinade. Reserve half for later and do not use it for marinating. Heat the reserved marinade in a saucepan, bringing it to a boil for 2–3 minutes to thicken and ensure safety.
- Discard any leftover marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken.
- Enhance the marinade by adding ingredients like ginger (freshly grated or powder), sesame oil, chili flakes, or a splash of rice vinegar for additional depth.
- If time is short, cut chicken breasts or thighs into smaller pieces or strips. This reduces marinating and cooking time.
- If grilling or baking, consider using skin-on, bone-in chicken for extra moisture and flavor.
- Pair the chicken with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
- Combine the chicken and marinade in a freezer-safe bag and freeze it. When you’re ready to cook, thaw it in the fridge overnight. The chicken will marinate as it defrosts, saving time.
How To Freeze Honey Soy Chicken Marinade
To freeze marinated chicken,place it in a freezer-safe bag, remove excess air, label with the date, and freeze flat for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for a quick, flavorful meal.
More Recipes
- Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Lemon Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Chicken Salad Without Mayo
- Hot Honey Chicken Salad
4 Ingredient Chicken Marinade With Soy Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or any neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar for a different sweetness
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
Instructions
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil (or another neutral oil if preferred), honey (or brown sugar for a slightly different sweetness), and minced garlic (or garlic powder as an alternative). Make sure everything is well-blended. This mixture will create a savory, slightly sweet marinade that enhances the flavor of the chicken.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
- Place your chicken pieces—whether you’re using breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or even tenderloins—into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is fully coated in the sauce. Massage the marinade into the chicken if using a bag, or turn the chicken pieces around in the marinade in a dish. Seal the bag tightly, or cover the dish with plastic wrap, to keep everything airtight and prevent leaks.
Step 3: Marinate Time
- Refrigerate the marinated chicken for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors begin to infuse. For a richer taste, aim to marinate for 2–4 hours. If you want a truly intense flavor, marinating overnight is ideal, but don’t exceed 24 hours to avoid over-tenderizing the meat, which can alter the texture.
Step 4: Cook as Desired
- After marinating, remove the chicken from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before cooking, as this helps it cook evenly. Then, choose your cooking method:
Grill:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken, turning it once or twice, until cooked through, with a slight char. This usually takes about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the pieces.
Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the chicken in a baking dish and bake until cooked through, around 20–30 minutes depending on the cut and thickness.
Stovetop:
- Warm a skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil. Add the chicken to the pan, cooking each side for roughly 5–7 minutes, or until both sides are nicely browned and the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Regardless of the method, the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (75°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat.