Mayo Marinated Grilled Chicken (Printable)

Juicy chicken breasts marinated in creamy mayo with herbs and spices, then grilled to golden, smoky perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

→ Marinade

02 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ For Grilling

10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing grill grates)

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
02 - Add the chicken breasts to the bowl, turning each piece to coat thoroughly in the marinade. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F. Brush the grates with olive oil to prevent sticking.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place on the hot grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
05 - Transfer the chicken off the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The mayonnaise marinade creates a protective layer that keeps the chicken incredibly moist even if you accidentally overcook it by a minute.
  • You probably have every single ingredient sitting in your kitchen right now, which makes this the perfect last minute dinner salvation.
02 -
  • Do not skip the rest period because slicing immediately causes all those juices to escape and your chicken will go from succulent to disappointing in seconds.
  • If you are using a grill pan indoors, crack a window because the smoked paprika can set off sensitive smoke alarms.
03 -
  • Marinate overnight in a sealed zip top bag for the most even coverage and the deepest flavor penetration into every crevice.
  • Brush a thin extra layer of fresh marinade, never the used one, onto the chicken right before grilling for an even juicier crust.

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