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Dinner

Easy Italian Chicken Marinade

A bright and zesty marinade that makes any chicken dinner taste like a fresh Italian meal.

By Recipes By Naniยท ๐ŸŒ Italianยท July 20, 2026
Easy Italian Chicken Marinade
recipesbynani.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
0 minutes
Total
10 minutes
Serves
4

There is something wonderful about a simple marinade that does all the heavy lifting for you. This Italian inspired blend uses pantry staples like olive oil, lemon juice, and dried herbs to give your chicken a punch of flavor before it even hits the pan or grill.

People love this recipe because it keeps the meat moist and tender while adding a lovely herbal note. If you have the extra time, let the chicken sit in the fridge for a few hours so the flavors really soak in.

๐Ÿงบ Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1.5 pounds chicken breasts or thighs

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณInstructions

  1. 1

    Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper together in a medium bowl.

  2. 2

    Place your chicken into a large resealable bag or a shallow glass dish.

  3. 3

    Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure every piece is well coated.

  4. 4

    Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes, or up to four hours for the best flavor.

  5. 5

    Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook on the grill, stovetop, or in the oven until fully cooked through.

๐Ÿ’ก Tips

You can store this marinade in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to one week before using. If you have leftover cooked chicken, it tastes great sliced cold over a fresh garden salad the next day.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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