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Mom’s SECRET Recipe: Grilled 7-UP Chicken Recipe

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This is the best chicken marinade recipe out there. I am telling you, this is the best grilled chicken you will ever eat. I am constantly craving this recipe. It is sweet, tender, and so easy to make. It's not a secret anymore, because everyone needs this recipe in their lives. You will love this Grilled 7 Up Chicken marinade.
Mom’s SECRET Recipe: Grilled 7-UP Chicken Recipe

Okay, so maybe this Grilled 7-UP Chicken recipe is not TOP SECRET, but that makes it sounds exciting, right?

This is hands-down my favorite marinade of all time. My mom has been making it for as long as I can remember and everyone always asks for the recipe when she does.

The chicken has amazing flavor and it INCREDIBLY moist. It tastes awesome with pork too. If you are looking for a simple, healthy, and delicious chicken marinade recipe, this is definitely one you need to try.

Looking for more grilled chicken recipes? Try our Grilled Malibu Chicken and our Grilled Lemon Chicken!

Ingredients for this Incredible Grilled 7-UP Chicken:

  • 6 chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp Horseradish
  • 1 (12 oz) can of lemon-lime soda pop (not diet)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
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What drink could I use if I don’t have any 7-up?

Most people don’t really have 7 Up on hand, so if you are looking for a replacement drink, we have a few recommendations:

  • Sprite (or Sprite Zero)
  • Ginger ale
  • Carbonated Lemon Lime Soda
  • Mt. Dew
  • Coke or Diet Coke

Really most carbonated drinks would work, to replace 7 up. However, we do not recommend fruit flavored drinks.

Chicken in 7-Up Marinade

This marinade is really so simple, and adds amazing flavor to the chicken. I like to let mine sit overnight to let all the juices sink in.

What could I serve with this 7-UP Grilled Chicken?

I love summer barbecues, mostly because of the food, and potluck side dishes. If you need a few ideas of what to serve with this chicken, here is what I recommend:

Mom's SECRET Recipe: Grilled 7-UP Chicken Recipe

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Mom’s SECRET Recipe: Grilled 7-UP Chicken Recipe

This is the best way to marinade chicken. I am telling you, this is the best grilled chicken you will ever eat. Plus, the small number of ingredients means that you most likely have most of what you need!
Serving6
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 6 chicken breasts
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon horseradish
  • 12 ounces lemon lime soda, not diet
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil

Equipment

Instructions

  1. Mis all ingredients together in a Ziploc bag or a large mixing bowl. Pour marinade into a plastic resealable bag if you didn't mix it in one. Add 6 raw chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes (although the longer you go, the better they taste! I usually marinate my chicken for at least 8 hours or overnight).
  2. Rub your grill with olive oil so the chicken doesn't stick. Place chicken on your grill grates. Grill chicken over medium-high heat until cooked all the way through.
  3. Let the chicken rest and cut it to your liking.
  4. Eat the grilled chicken pieces by themselves, with a side dish, or over a salad. You can even put it in the fridge and save it for the next day!

Notes

Most people don’t really have 7 Up on hand, so if you are looking for a replacement drink, we have a few recommendations:
  • Sprite (or Sprite Zero)
  • Ginger ale
  • Carbonated Lemon Lime Soda
  • Mt. Dew
  • Coke or Diet Coke

Nutrition

Calories: 371 kcal · Carbohydrates: 7 g · Protein: 50 g · Fat: 15 g · Saturated Fat: 9 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 145 mg · Sodium: 1350 mg · Potassium: 879 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 6 g · Vitamin A: 68 IU · Vitamin C: 3 mg · Calcium: 17 mg · Iron: 1 mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
Mom's SECRET Recipe: Grilled 7-UP Chicken Recipe
Published: July 1, 2022Updated: May 17, 2023

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Questions & Reviews

  1. Erin says:
    Why am I so scared of Horseradish? I've never tried it in my whole darn life?

    Seriously scared.

    Like really.

    Is it good? Should I go for this recipe? The picture looks yum.

    Wow, I'm a chicken.

    Still scared.
  2. Deebi27 says:
    Girls this looks like an amazing marinade and I adore horseradish and so does my hubby. Thanks!

    Erin...Horseradish adds amazing flavor to any dish...be brave and try it! If you like GREAT, if you don't like it...you know never to try again!
  3. Four Marrs and One Venus says:
    Sounds like the PERFECT Summer Chicken Marinade! YUM! Thank you so much!
  4. Stacy says:
    We do a similar recipe but add some garlic powder and soy sauce! Super yummers!
  5. Rebecca says:
    This was amazing!!! Both my husband and I loved it!! It was so tender and juicy! Thank you for the wonderful idea for supper :) Off to find another amazing recipe from you beautiful ladies!
  6. Miss Jan says:
    You all are beautiful!! Love your site!!
  7. Mama says:
    trying it now, with ginger ale since all we have in the house is diet 7 up. I love that pasta salad as well. May have to make some of that.
  8. Jennifer says:
    Sounds good and I want to try, but we don't have a grill. Can it be prepared in the oven?
  9. JAX says:
    How do you think it would taste if you added all ingredients into crock-pot instead?
  10. Phippen says:
    Why not diet soda?
  11. Camille says:
    I have heard that you need the sugar in the regular soda to give it it's great taste, instead of the other sweeteners used in diet soda. But, I have never actually tried it. Let me know if you do!
  12. ganna says:
    You might try the creamy horseradish sauce that they make for a prime rib side. Then, progress from there if you like that. It is less of a bite, but awesome flavor! Once you try it, it's just a step up to straight horseradish!
  13. ganna says:
    I would like to know that, too. I'm a crock-pot addict!
  14. MizzM says:
    Do you use boneles/skinless chicken breasts, or do you have to have skin on breasts?
  15. Camille says:
    I also use boneless skinless chicken breasts! :)
  16. TinaBean says:
    The sugars in the regular soda caramelize on the meat, giving it the great taste,the artificial sweeteners can't do that.
  17. azleggs says:
    Wanted something different for my boring boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Hubby & I are on Weight Watchers so couldn't do anything w/ a breaded coating or cheese. I decided to try this recipe tonight. Thought I had some horseradish but must've thrown it out when we moved...so i even put on a little mascara, changed my clothes and made a quick trip to the grocery store to buy some. It only marinaded about 30 mins. & I cooked it on the Foreman grill, but it was pretty tasty... hoping next time to marinade it longer and it'll be even more tasty! Thanks!!
  18. Megan Pearce says:
    We tried this on steak, and it was delicious!
  19. pinkme says:
    I don't have a grill, can I bake or pan fry??
  20. Camille says:
    Hi! I would try this technique: http://www.ehow.com/how_5137296_grill-oven.html I think that it would work!
  21. pinkme says:
    Thank you, I will try tomorrow :)
  22. Naturalnista76 says:
    Can I use horseradish mustard?
  23. Doog says:
    The chicken was moist - that's all i can give the recipe. Thought it would much more flavorful because of the soy sauce. Well, you never know unless you try ! :D
  24. Roxie Laventure says:
    It's good if you like spicy, I love it
  25. kimbo says:
    My husband is so afraid of not getting the chicken all the way cooked on the grill that he cooks it way too long and is dry. What is a good secret to knowing when it's done without cutting it up and looking?
  26. Cyd says:
    Preheat your grill on high for about 10 minutes. If you have a temperature indicator, it will probably be around 450. Place marinated chicken, on the grill and turn heat down to medium. Cook bone-in chicken breasts for about 8-9 minutes per side and boneless skinless chicken breasts for 7 minutes per side. Your chicken should be cooked through.
  27. Penny says:
    I just saw this recipe on Facebook, and it looks so good! How about grilling on the George Foreman? Has anyone tried that? Thanks!
  28. Cyd says:
    It should work fine on the George Foreman too. Just need to be sure it cooks all the way through!
  29. Julie says:
    This sounds really good. However, we have a soy allergy in our family. Can you think of anything that you can substitute for the soy sauce?
  30. Cyd says:
    Hi Julie, I have found a great substitute for soy sauce that is easy to make. It is from All Recipes: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/soy-sauce-substitute/
  31. Sky says:
    Suggestion for your website: AnyList can import recipes from sites that support the microdata or hrecipe standards. Most major recipe websites and blogs support these standards. In addition to allowing recipes to be imported into AnyList, these standards are used by major search engines like Google and Bing to improve recipe search results.
  32. CW says:
    Cook chicken breast to 155 internal and pull them. It will rose to 160 while resting. You’ll never eat dry chicken again
  33. Cindy Keenan says:
    Can this be done in the oven? And can I use Bone in chicken thighs? If so how long & what degree? Thanks
  34. Sally says:
    What can you substitute if you don’t have horseradish?
  35. Momma Cyd says:
    You can just leave it out all together if you don't have any on hand. But you'll want to get some for your next grilling session! So good!
  36. Jenn says:
    I loved this chicken! It was so moist and tasty. I didn't have the horseradish, but I subbed with Dijon mustard - turned out great!
  37. Momma Cyd says:
    This is a favorite childhood recipe that we grew up on grilling in the backyard! It's amazing!
  38. April says:
    Can this be cooked on the stovetop
  39. Momma Cyd says:
    We like it best on the grill or even a portable indoor grill like a George Foreman - here is a link https://amzn.to/3V3YP3R But you can certainly cook it on the stove top too. Here are some great instructions for cooking on the Stove-top. Grilling on stove top 1. Place your grill pan on the kitchen stovetop and heat it to a high temperature. 2. Add in your oil and let it sizzle for a moment. 3. Place your meats and vegetables on the raised edges of the pan. 4. Grill for a few minutes, then flip over and repeat on the other side.
  40. Lori B says:
    We just have a smoker. Have you ever smoked it?
  41. Bobbi @ Six Sisters says:
    We haven't tested this recipe out on a smoker but it sounds delicious! Be sure to let us know how it turns out if you try it!
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