Juicy chicken skewers, homemade shawarma, smoky BBQ chicken and fiery piri-piri. Whatever you're craving, a great marinade can turn everyday chicken into something worth firing up the grill for. Discover six easy chicken marinades, from classic Montreal flavours to Mediterranean-inspired favourites.
6 Chicken Marinades to Fire Up Your Next BBQ
From tender chicken skewers to perfectly grilled thighs, wings and whole chicken, the secret is all in the seasoning. Whether you love fresh citrus, creamy yogurt marinades or a little heat, these six blends bring something different to the grill.
1. Montreal Chicken Seasoning
A Montreal classic, made for chicken
Love the bold flavours of Montreal-style grilling? Meet your chicken's new favourite seasoning. Packed with aromatic herbs and spices, Montreal Chicken is perfect for juicy chicken breasts, grilled thighs and generous skewers. Add a squeeze of lemon for a fresh, flavourful finish.
- 2 tbsp Montreal Chicken Seasoning
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
Combine the seasoning, vegetable oil and lemon juice. Coat your chicken evenly and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours. Grill until beautifully golden and fully cooked.
2. Shawarma Chicken Seasoning
Bring Middle Eastern-inspired flavours to your BBQ
Imagine warm spices, juicy grilled chicken and freshly made wraps with creamy garlic sauce. Inspired by the flavours of Middle Eastern shawarma, this aromatic blend brings together spices such as allspice, cinnamon and cloves for a rich, fragrant marinade. Perfect for chicken thighs and homemade shawarma wraps.
- 2 tbsp Shawarma Chicken Seasoning
- 4 tbsp Greek yogurt or labneh
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
Mix all the ingredients until smooth. Coat your chicken thoroughly and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 hours. Grill until golden, then slice and serve in warm pita bread with garlic sauce, fresh vegetables and pickles.
3. Shish Taouk Chicken Seasoning
The ultimate chicken skewer marinade
Tender, juicy and full of bright citrus flavour, Shish Taouk is made for summer grilling. Inspired by the Lebanese classic, this yogurt-based marinade gives chicken skewers their signature tangy flavour and beautifully golden finish. Serve with garlic sauce, warm pita and a fresh salad for the perfect summer meal.
- 2 tbsp Shish Taouk Chicken Seasoning
- 4 tbsp plain yogurt
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Combine the seasoning, yogurt, lemon juice and olive oil. Add cubed chicken and mix until evenly coated. Refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours, then thread onto skewers and grill until golden and fully cooked.
4. Chicken & Rib Rub
Sweet, smoky and made for summer
Some BBQ flavours are simply made for sharing. With its sweet, smoky and slightly spicy profile, Chicken & Rib Rub is a delicious match for grilled chicken thighs, wings and drumsticks. It's the kind of seasoning that makes everyone come back for seconds.
- 2 tbsp Chicken & Rib Rub
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Combine the seasoning and olive oil, then coat your chicken generously. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours before grilling. Cook until golden, lightly caramelized and fully cooked.
5. Piri-Piri Seasoning
Turn up the heat
Craving something with a kick? Inspired by Portuguese and Mozambican flavours, Piri-Piri brings together heat, citrus and bold spices for a marinade that packs a punch. Try it on a whole butterflied chicken for a deliciously fiery BBQ centrepiece.
- 2 tbsp Piri-Piri Seasoning
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Whisk all the ingredients together and rub generously over your chicken. Refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours before grilling. Cook over indirect heat when preparing a whole butterflied chicken, then finish over direct heat for a beautifully golden skin.
6. Mediterranean Chicken Seasoning
A little Mediterranean sunshine on your plate
Think sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, rosemary and oregano. Mediterranean Chicken brings together warm, aromatic flavours that pair beautifully with grilled chicken breasts, thighs and colourful vegetable skewers. A squeeze of fresh lemon is all you need to bring everything together.
- 2 tbsp Mediterranean Chicken Seasoning
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
Mix the seasoning with the olive oil and lemon juice. Coat your chicken evenly and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours. Grill until golden and fully cooked, then serve with roasted vegetables, a fresh salad or warm pita.
Bonus: Homemade Oh-M-Gee BBQ Marinade
Love a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce? Oh-M-Gee BBQ is a delicious way to give grilled chicken an extra burst of flavour. Perfect for wings, drumsticks and chicken thighs, this easy marinade brings that irresistible BBQ flavour to your next cookout.
- 3 tbsp Oh-M-Gee BBQ Seasoning
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Mix the seasoning and olive oil until well combined. Coat your chicken generously and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours before grilling. For an extra flavourful finish, reserve a separate, clean portion of the marinade to brush onto the chicken as it cooks.
Ready to Fire Up the Grill?
Six marinades, endless ways to enjoy chicken. From creamy Shish Taouk and homemade Shawarma to fiery Piri-Piri and classic Montreal flavours, there's something for every BBQ lover.
Whichever marinade you choose, always keep chicken refrigerated while marinating and cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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