BBQ Chicken Marinade – Easy Homemade Recipe for Juicy Chicken
Make flavorful, juicy and delicious BBQ chicken at home with this easy homemade marinade recipe.
If you want to make really tasty BBQ chicken at home, a good marinade is very important. Sometimes chicken can become dry or it just doesn’t have enough flavor. This is where a homemade BBQ chicken marinade can make a big difference.
This marinade is easy to make and you don’t need any expensive ingredients. You can use it for chicken breast, thighs, drumsticks or even chicken wings. The chicken comes out juicy, flavorful and with a nice BBQ taste.
In this recipe, I will show you how to make BBQ chicken marinade, how long you should marinate the chicken and some simple tips for getting better results.
Homemade BBQ chicken marinade prepared with spices and flavorful ingredients.
What Is BBQ Chicken Marinade?
BBQ chicken marinade is a mixture of different ingredients that is used to flavor chicken before cooking. A good marinade usually contains oil, lemon juice, yogurt, spices and some sauces.
The chicken is kept in the marinade for a few hours so the flavors can get into the meat. It also helps give the chicken a better texture.
You can change the ingredients according to your taste. If you like spicy chicken, add more chili. If you like sweet BBQ chicken, add a little honey or brown sugar.
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Marinade
Easy BBQ Chicken Marinade
Perfect for around 1 kg of chicken
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar
- Red chili flakes, optional
- Fresh coriander, optional
You don’t have to follow every ingredient exactly. If you don’t have something at home, you can make a small adjustment. That’s the good thing about homemade marinade.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Marinade
Mix the Main Ingredients
First take a large bowl and add yogurt, lemon juice, cooking oil, BBQ sauce and tomato paste. Mix everything together until it becomes smooth.
Add the Spices
Now add ginger garlic paste and all the spices. Add salt and honey or brown sugar as well.
Mix it properly. The marinade should have a thick but easy-to-coat texture.
Adjust the Flavor
Taste a little bit of the marinade before adding the raw chicken. You can adjust the salt or chili according to your preference.
Prepare the Chicken
Take about 1 kg of chicken. You can use chicken thighs, breast, drumsticks or wings.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. For thick chicken pieces, make a few small cuts with a knife. These cuts are helpful because the marinade can cover more of the chicken.
Add the chicken to the bowl and mix it very well. Make sure every piece is covered with the marinade.
Coat each chicken piece well with the homemade BBQ marinade.
How Long Should You Marinate Chicken?
For good flavor, I normally recommend marinating chicken for at least 2 hours.
If you have more time, you can leave it in the refrigerator for around 4 to 12 hours. This gives the spices more time to flavor the chicken.
Don’t leave raw chicken marinating at room temperature. Always keep it in the refrigerator.
Also, very acidic marinades should not be left for too long because they can change the texture of the chicken.
How Long to Marinate Different Chicken Cuts?
| Chicken Cut | Recommended Time |
|---|---|
| Chicken Breast | 2–8 hours |
| Chicken Thighs | 2–12 hours |
| Chicken Drumsticks | 2–12 hours |
| Chicken Wings | 1–8 hours |
| Bone-in Chicken | 4–12 hours |
How to Grill BBQ Chicken
When the chicken is ready, preheat your BBQ grill.
Take the chicken out of the refrigerator and allow excess marinade to drip off. Don’t put a very thick layer of wet marinade on the grill because it can cause flare ups.
Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook it carefully. Turn the chicken from time to time so that it cooks evenly.
The cooking time depends on the size and type of chicken. Thick pieces will take longer than wings or small pieces.
After cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Grill the marinated chicken until beautifully browned and fully cooked.
How to Get More Smoky BBQ Flavor
If you like smoky chicken, there are a few simple things you can do.
Add smoked paprika to the marinade. You can also use a little extra BBQ sauce near the end of cooking.
Don’t add too much BBQ sauce at the beginning if your grill is very hot. Most BBQ sauces contain sugar and can burn quickly.
For a nice finish, brush some BBQ sauce over the chicken during the last few minutes of grilling.
Best Chicken Cuts for BBQ
Chicken Thighs
They are juicy and flavorful, and are usually easier to grill without drying out.
Chicken Breast
It is lean and healthy but can become dry if you overcook it. Keep an eye on the temperature.
Chicken Wings
Great for parties and small BBQ gatherings. They can become crispy around the edges.
Chicken Drumsticks
A classic BBQ choice and very easy to serve for family meals.
Easy Ways to Change the Marinade
You can make different versions of this BBQ chicken marinade without changing the whole recipe.
Spicy BBQ Chicken
Add more chili powder, red chili flakes or a little hot sauce. This is a good option if you enjoy spicy food.
Honey BBQ Chicken
Add a little more honey and BBQ sauce. It gives the chicken a slightly sweet taste and helps with caramelization.
Smoky BBQ Chicken
Use smoked paprika, black pepper and BBQ sauce for a stronger smoky flavor.
Yogurt BBQ Chicken
If you want a softer and creamy style marinade, use a little more yogurt with ginger garlic paste and spices.
What to Serve With BBQ Chicken?
BBQ chicken goes with lots of different side dishes. Some of my favorite options are:
- French fries
- Potato wedges
- Fresh salad
- Coleslaw
- Grilled vegetables
- Garlic bread
- Corn
- Rice
- Mint chutney
- Raita
- Homemade BBQ sauce
You can also put the grilled chicken into wraps or burgers. Leftover BBQ chicken can be used in sandwiches and salads too.
Juicy homemade BBQ chicken ready to serve with your favorite sides.
Common Mistakes When Marinating Chicken
Using Too Much Lemon Juice
Lemon adds a nice fresh taste but too much can affect the texture of the chicken.
Using Very High Heat
Thick pieces can burn outside while still being undercooked inside. Cook them carefully and check the internal temperature.
Reusing Raw Chicken Marinade
Don’t use leftover marinade that has touched raw chicken as a sauce unless you cook it properly first.
Leaving Chicken Outside
Always keep raw chicken refrigerated while it is marinating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I marinate chicken overnight?
Yes, you can marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator. Around 4 to 12 hours is usually enough for this type of marinade.
Can I use this BBQ marinade for wings?
Yes. This marinade works very well for chicken wings, drumsticks, thighs and breast.
Can I use BBQ sauce instead of tomato paste?
Yes, you can make a small adjustment and add a little more BBQ sauce. Just remember that BBQ sauce can contain quite a lot of sugar.
Can I cook marinated chicken in the oven?
Yes. If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken in an oven, air fryer or grill pan. Just make sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
Can I freeze marinated chicken?
Yes, you can freeze raw chicken with the marinade in a sealed freezer bag or container. Thaw it safely in the refrigerator before cooking.
Final Thoughts
Making your own BBQ chicken marinade at home is actually pretty simple. You only need some basic ingredients and a little time.
The combination of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, spices and BBQ sauce gives the chicken a really nice flavor. You can also make it more spicy, sweet or smoky depending on what you like.
The most important thing is not to rush the marinating process and don’t overcook the chicken. Give the chicken enough time to marinate, grill it carefully and let it rest before serving.
Serve your homemade BBQ chicken with fries, salad, grilled vegetables or your favorite sauce and you have an easy meal that works great for a family dinner or weekend BBQ.