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–+ servings
Grilled chicken thighs with visible grill marks served on a white plate alongside a fresh salad with corn, avocado, greens, and herbs.
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Mayonnaise Marinated Chicken

This mayonnaise marinated chicken combines mayo, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, lemon juice, and garlic for a juicy, golden chicken that works in the air fryer, oven, or on the grill.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Marinate Time2 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken, easy chicken marinade, grilling, mayo Dijon chicken, mayo marinated chicken recipe
Servings: 4
Calories: 634kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs breasts, drumsticks, or a combination
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 to 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Marinate

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, onion powder, and black pepper until completely smooth.
  • Add the chicken and toss until every piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

Air Fryer

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and cook, flipping halfway through. Boneless thighs: 15 to 18 minutes. Chicken breasts: 12 to 16 minutes. Drumsticks: 18 to 22 minutes.

Oven

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place on a lightly greased baking dish or parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake until cooked through. Chicken breasts: 20 to 25 minutes. Boneless thighs: 25 to 30 minutes. Drumsticks: 35 to 45 minutes.

Grill

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high. Grill breasts and thighs 5 to 7 minutes per side. Drumsticks 25 to 30 minutes total, turning occasionally.
  • Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Marinating overnight produces the most flavorful and tender chicken.
  • For extra color and caramelization, broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes before serving.
  • If using regular table salt instead of kosher salt, reduce the amount slightly.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.

Nutrition

Calories: 634kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 230mg | Sodium: 1168mg | Potassium: 501mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 193IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg