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Never eat boring chicken again! These five Chicken Marinades are filled with flavor and allow you to have dinner on the table in no time.
Say goodbye to boring chicken and hello to juicy, flavorful chicken with these five simple Chicken Marinades!
See, sometimes I just want to have chicken ready to go when I need it, and with 5 minutes of prep work, that’s incredibly possible.
Whether you’re craving tacos or a sandwich, these chicken marinades will always come in handy.
Recipe features
- Can be made using boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
- Most of the marinades take only 5 minutes to prepare.
- Chicken can marinate for as little as 30 minutes, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months and cook at a later date.
- All of the marinated chicken would be good over rice, on a sandwich or on a salad — whatever you’re craving that day!
Ingredients
BBQ – A classic chicken marinade that features your favorite barbecue sauce, along with garlic powder and onion powder for extra flavor.
Lemon Garlic – This is probably the safest chicken marinade — if you’re cooking for a crowd and aren’t sure what everyone likes, you can count on lemon garlic! Simply put, it’s made with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh garlic cloves and a little oregano. Yum!
Chimichurri – Possibly my personal favorite! Chimichurri is made using fresh parsley, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, and smoked paprika, and if you’re feeling ambitious, you could double the batch and whip up my chimichurri hummus while you’re at it!
Teriyaki – For those nights when you want a simple “bowl recipe”, like this teriyaki salmon bowl, but with chicken! The base of the marinade is made with soy sauce, but the sweet teriyaki flavor comes from maple syrup. Trust me, it’s delicious!
Mexican – Perfect for taco or enchilada night! A little smoky and a little spicy, this combination features spices like cumin, chipotle powder and garlic powder, along with lime juice and cilantro, to create a balanced flavor profile.
Instructions
Though all of the marinades are different, the instructions for all of them are basically the same.
Step 1: Add ingredients to a bowl. Choose the marinade you’d like to make, then add all of the ingredients to a small bowl.
Step 2: Whisk. Use a hand whisk to whisk the ingredients together to combine. Add the chicken to a quart-sized bag, then pour the marinade overtop. Seal the bag shut, removing as much air as possible, then swish the marinade around to ensure the chicken is completely coated.
Step 3: Refrigerate or freeze. Place the marinated chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours before cooking. Or, place the bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, simply transfer the frozen chicken into the fridge for 24 hours before cooking.
How to Cook Chicken
Oven: Place the marinated chicken into a 9×13 baking dish, then bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
Skillet or grill: Spray a skillet with nonstick spray, then cook the chicken over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.
Variations
Though this recipe features five marinades, there are truly so many ways you can marinate chicken! Below are a few other ideas:
Balsamic – A mix of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic, and salt.
Honey mustard – A combination of dijon mustard, honey, garlic cloves, a little mayonnaise and a pinch of cayenne.
Curry – Coconut milk, red curry paste, minced shallot, grated fresh ginger, curry powder, and salt make a simple marinade.
Greek – I’ve made this before and it’s delicious! Simply follow my Greek chicken marinade recipe for the how-to.
What to serve alongside chicken
More chicken recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Chicken Marinades
Never eat boring chicken again! These five Chicken Marinades are filled with flavor and allow you to have dinner on the table in no time.
Servings:
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts
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Instructions
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For any of the marinades, simply add all of the ingredients to a small bowl then whisk to combine.
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Add the chicken to a plastic freezer-safe bag, then pour the marinade overtop. Seal the bag shut, removing as much air as possible, then massage the chicken so that it’s coated in the marinade.
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Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. Or, transfer it to the freezer and freeze for up to 3 months. To defrost, place the chicken in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
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To bake the chicken: place the marinated chicken in a 9×13 dish and bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing.
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To cook in a skillet or to grill, spray a skillet with nonstick spray. Place the chicken in the skillet or on the grill and cook for 5 minutes per side. Cook time may vary depending on how thick your chicken is.
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You’ll know the chicken is done once it reaches an internal temperature or 165°F. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is done. Serve chicken with your favorite side and enjoy!
Notes
*Calories vary based on marinade variation.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 364mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 481IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
