Go Back

Citrus Dijon Grilled Chicken Marinade

Citrus Dijon chicken marinade that creates a golden Dijon-citrus glaze with charred edges on the grill. Bright lemon and orange juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic coat chicken for tangy, caramelized flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
marinating 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 33 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and marinade
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 0.25 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Make the citrus Dijon marinade
  1. Whisk orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, orange zest, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, honey, thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper together until smooth.
  2. Pour the marinade over the chicken in a bowl or bag and marinate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator, covered.
Grill and glaze
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates so the chicken releases cleanly.
  2. Remove chicken from the marinade and grill for 6-8 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165F, with visible grill marks and light charring.
  3. Brush the chicken with a bit of the reserved marinade that hasn't touched raw chicken during the last 3 minutes so the surface turns glossy and caramelized.
  4. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute, then serve with fresh citrus.

Notes

For clean glazing, set aside a small portion of marinade before it touches raw chicken, then use it only in the last few minutes on the grill. Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days; freezing is yes (up to 2 months), thaw in the fridge and rewarm gently. If you want a lighter option, use dijon with no added sugar and replace honey with an equal amount of maple syrup or omit for less sweetness.