Published 7/24/2023 In this post, we’ll teach why you should marinate your chicken, how to make a chicken marinade, and how to freeze marinated chicken! This chicken marinde post is one of our most popular recipe tutorials on Fit Foodie Finds. So many of you have made one of these chicken marinades and loved every bite. Enjoy! If there is one thing we stand by it’s marinating chicken. Chicken marinades truly add so much flavor and tenderness to chicken and we worked hard perfecting 6 different chicken marinade flavors for you. My personal favorite marinade for chicken is the teriyaki version because I can serve it next to white rice and roasted broccoli, but balsamic is a close second and perfect for grilling chicken! Plus, it’s the perfect chicken marinade for grilling! Other easy chicken marinade flavor variations we’re sharing in this post are: teriyaki, balsamic, lemon, fajita, Italian, and BBQ.
What is in a chicken marinade?
Our basic chicken marinade is made with an olive oil base and then any additional flavors such as citrus juice, fresh herbs, spices, and sauce. Let your chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes and then cook it any way you want.
oil: we like using a mild in flavor oil such as olive oil. You can also try avocado oil. citrus: a little bit of lime, lemon, or orange will add so much brightness to your chicken. fresh herbs: bring on the herbs. We recommend any and all herbs including dill, rosemary, cilantro, and parsley. seasonings: spices add a more intense flavor. Try garlic, chili powder, onion powder, or garlic powder. sauces: our go-to sauces for marinating chicken includes bbq sauce, Worcestershires sauce, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar.
How long should I marinate my chicken?
We recommend marinating your chicken for anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours. If your chicken marinade does not contain a citrus fruit or acid-like vinegar, you can marinate it overnight or for up to 24 hours.
How much marinade do I need per 1 lb. of chicken?
Per 1 to 1.5 lbs. of chicken, you’ll need around 1/2 cup of marinade. So, feel free to double or triple any of these marinades to flavor more chicken.
What cuts of chicken can I marinate?
Any cut of chicken can be marinated: chicken breasts, chicken legs, chicken thighs, and whole chickens!
What should I marinate my chicken in?
When it comes time to actually marinate your poultry, pretty much any container large enough to house your chicken works! Here are our top 3 choices.
6 Baked Chicken Breast Recipes
You are going to love these 6 oven baked chicken breast recipes. Check out how to bake chicken breast perfectly every time and get 6 delicious flavor variations!
How do I cook marinated chicken?
Our #1 piece of advice when cooking chicken is to make sure to cook it until the internal temperature is at least 165ºF. Pretty much any cooking method is fair game. We’re linking to some of our basic chicken breast recipes below so you can learn how to easily cook your marinated chicken.
Oven-Baked Chicken Grilled Chicken Instant Pot Chicken Breast Slow Cooker Chicken Sous Vide Chicken Breast Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Can you freeze marinated chicken?
Freezing marinated chicken is one of our secret meal-prep tips! Simply place your chicken in a large, gallon-size bag and then add the marinade. Remove as much air as possible and then seal the bag shut. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thermoworks Thermapen PS: there is no need to let your chicken marinate for the full 24 hours before freezing. It will marinate as it freezes and as it thaws! Well, what about a chicken dry rub or chicken seasoning? Dry rubs typically flavor the outside of your meat, but a marinade is going to flavor the entire cut of chicken. Sometimes, we like to use a combination of both! For the best results and to avoid any kind of food-borne illness, let your marinated chicken completely thaw before following of the above cook methods. And now, please enjoy 6 of our go-to chicken breast marinade recipes!
What you need
1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
What you need
1/4 cup olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard 1 tablespoon fresh dill 1/2 tablespoon white rice vinegar 2 teaspoons honey (or maple syrup) 1/4 teaspoon salt
What You Need
1/4 olive oil 1/4 cup BBQ sauce 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper
What You Need
1/4 cup soy sauce 2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger 1/2 teaspoon sriracha 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons chopped green onion 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
What You Need
1/4 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
What You Need
1/4 cup olive oil 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
Chicken Marinades
Grilled Chicken Marinade Chicken Thigh Marinade Chicken Kabob Marinade Chicken Brine
