Chicken plus soda equals some seriously juicy and tender meat and it takes very little prep work. The combination of sweet and tangy grapefruit or lemon-lime soda tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with flavor. Throw your marinade and chicken in the refrigerator first thing in the morning or even the day before! Whether you prefer boneless, skinless cuts or the extra juiciness of bone-in, skin-on pieces, this marinade has you covered for guaranteed juicy and flavorful chicken. This is what chicken should be all the time.

Marinade isn’t just a chicken thang – try our Juiciest Pork Tenderloin Marinade or The Best Salmon Marinade for more juicy flavor explosions.

Why Our Recipe

  • Let the not-so-secret ingredient (soda) do all the tenderizing for you!
  • Unbeatable flavor with citrus, garlic, horseradish, ginger, and more!
  • Prep in minutes and marinate your chicken for up to 24 hours.
Raw chicken breasts soaking in a bowl of reddish brown marinade.

Not all marinades are made the same, and it blows our mind how good this recipe is. Bring out the very best flavors of meat using this marinade. And whether you let the meat absorb the marinade in a large bowl, an airtight container, or a resealable plastic bag, you can’t go wrong when you use our Always Juicy Chicken Marinade. When you have a killer marinade you can expect delicious flavor to be in every caramelized drop of juice. Be sure to cook up a few extra pieces because you’ll want to eat these leftovers all week!

Ingredient Notes

An overhead picture of a plate of raw chicken breasts surrounded by measuring cups and spoons filled with wet and dry ingredients.
  • Chicken: Use with any type of chicken cuts you’d like whether it’s breasts, thighs, wings, or drumsticks. It will work with both bone-in, skin-on chicken and boneless skinless options.
  • Soda: A crucial ingredient in this marinade, the sugar and carbonation tenderize the chicken perfectly. We prefer a grapefruit soda best (hello Squirt!), but you could also use Sprite or 7UP for a lemon-lime option.
  • Soy Sauce: Opt for a low-sodium option if you’re watching your sodium intake.
  • Sesame Oil: Located in the Asian food aisle of the grocery store.
  • Ginger: Finely grate ginger root for a fresher flavor, but feel free to substitute the fresh ginger with 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
  • Garlic: Freshly minced garlic has the best flavor. You can also substitute for 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder.

The Science of Soda

The magic behind using soda in a marinade lies in its carbonation and sugar content. The bubbles from carbonation help to gently break down the muscle fibers in the chicken, making it more tender. The sugar in full-sugar sodas is key for achieving that beautiful caramelization on the outside of the meat as it cooks. While a diet soda won’t provide the same caramelization, it can still help tenderize your chicken. Just make sure to stick with a citrus-based soda—like Sprite, 7UP, or Squirt—for that bright, fresh flavor that complements the savory soy sauce, nutty sesame oil, and sweetness of the brown sugar.

A closeup overhead picture of a grilled golden chicken breast on a baking sheet with seasonings and other chicken breasts to the side.

How Long to Marinate

If you don’t have 24 hours to let your chicken soak in all this yumminess, plan to let it sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours. But the longer you allow the chicken and marinade to spend together, the deeper the flavors will be. For the absolute juiciest, most tender results, let the chicken marinate for a full 24 hours.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze leftover portions in an airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheat on the grill or the stovetop in a grill pan over medium heat until warmed through.

Make it a meal with…

Watch the video below where Caytlin will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.