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Laughing Spatula / Recipe Index / Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade

Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade

By Kathi & Rachel

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Everybody loves chicken thighs and with this simple marinade using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, you can marinate chicken and then airfry, bake or grill it! An easy weeknight recipe for chicken thighs that also makes for the best leftovers. This recipe is the perfect blend of sweet and savory, and pairs so well with the dark meat of chicken thighs. marinated chicken thighs on a plate garnished with green onion

This marinade works great with all cuts of chicken, not just chicken thighs!

I like this marinade best with chicken thighs because they are a fattier type of chicken meat, giving them a rich flavor that pairs so well with this sweet and salty marinade.

chicken marinade in a ziplock bag

I like to make my marinade right in a plastic bag, and then add the chicken. Letting it marinate for at least 2 hours, but as much as 24 hours allows the chicken to really soak up the flavor of this marinade.

Chicken Thigh Marinde Ingredients:

  • Soy Sauce- I use low sodium, Kikkoman brand.
  • Garlic- Fresh (paste or chopped) works great but granulated will work in a pinch.
  • Olive Oil- This helps the marinade ‘stick’ to the chicken.
  • Rosemary- I used dried, but fresh works great as well. If you do not have rosemary you could use thyme.
  • Dijon Mustard- Regular works great but stone ground would work too.
  • Worchestire auce- Just a little bit to add savory notes.
  • Honey- Agave would work as well.
  • Brown Sugar- I like my chicken thighs sweet. If you want a more savory flavor, just use honey and skip the brown sugar.

chicken thighs in air fryer

These chicken thighs can be baked, air fried, or grilled. Here’s how to cook them all 3 ways!

Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Spray basket with nonstick, and place chicken thighs in air fryer basket. Cook for roughly 15 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit at its thickest point.

Bake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with foil, and spray with nonstick. Place chicken onto foil lined pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. Chicken is done once it reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit at its thickest point. *For a charred exterior, remove chicken once it is almost fully cooked, and turn broiler on. Place chicken back into oven for 2  minutes (keeping an eye on it as it can burn quickly). 

Grill: Preheat grill to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Place chicken on grill, and flip over at the 10 minute mark. Continue to cook for additional 10-12 minutes. Chicken is fully cooked once it reaches 165 degrees internally.

chopped chicken thighs on a cutting board garnished with green onion

If you are a fan of chicken recipes, here’s a few more of our favorites: 

  • BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
  • Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken 
  • Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
  • Easy Greek Chicken Marinade

Happy marinating! – Kathi and Rachel

marinated chicken thighs on a plate garnished with green onion

Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade

an easy marinade with a tangy, sweet and salty flavor. Perfect for chicken thighs but works great for any cut of chicken!
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 2 hours
Servings: 4 people
Author: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

  • 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (est. 2 per person)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic (fresh is preferred)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 tsp worcestershire
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

  • Add marinade ingredients to large (gallon size) plastic food bag. Smush around to combine ingredients. Add chicken and allow to marinate at least 2 hours, but up to 24 hours.
  • Cook chicken using 1 of 3 methods:
    Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Spray basket with nonstick, and place chicken thighs in air fryer basket. Cook for roughly 15 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit at its thickest point. 
    Bake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with foil, and spray with nonstick. Place chicken onto foil lined pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. Chicken is done once it reaches 165 degrees fahrenheit at its thickest point. *For a charred exterior, remove chicken once it is almost fully cooked, and turn broiler on. Place chicken back into oven for 2  minutes (keeping an eye on it as it can burn quickly). 
    Grill: Preheat grill to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Place chicken on grill, and flip over at the 10 minute mark. Continue to cook for additional 10-12 minutes. Chicken is fully cooked once it reaches 165 degrees internally. 
  • Garnish with scallions if desired, serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 1042mg | Potassium: 624mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. karen says

    April 21, 2022 at 7:35 am

    Kathi and Rachel, do chicken breasts work with this

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      April 21, 2022 at 8:41 am

      Hi Karen! You bet!

      Reply
  2. Carol Zodrow says

    February 7, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    5 stars
    I adore you ladies and your recipes. I have not cooked anything but DELICIOUS! You make me look like a star. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  3. Shiela says

    February 3, 2022 at 3:36 pm

    I truly love your recipes!
    The instructions are good, mostly convenient and available ingredients.
    I haven’t had an issue with any of the recipes I’ve tried, that says a lot!
    Thanks for the love you share, blessings on you both.

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      February 4, 2022 at 6:53 am

      Sheila that is the sweetest note! Thank you from us both!

      Reply
  4. Lucy says

    January 21, 2022 at 8:55 am

    5 stars
    Very good and quick to put together, thank you. I made exactly as written except for placing cubed potatoes, that had been mixed in marinade, alongside the chicken thighs before placing in oven at 375. As well, I sprinkling sesame seeds on top of chicken after turning them over while under broiler on high. Once chicken taken off pan, potatoes were turned over and placed back in oven at 400 degrees until roasted. Very tasty. I might add some smoked paprika next time.

    Reply

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