A chicken marinade is one of the best ways to give your favorite protein some big flavor and maximum juiciness. Choose from a bright Greek lemon marinade, to a sweet honey mustard marinade, and four more delicious flavors. Here’s everything you need to know about making and using the best chicken marinades!.
It might seem hard to cook chicken that has been marinated, but it’s really not that hard if you follow these tips. If you prepare and marinate the chicken correctly and cook it the right way, you’ll have juicy, flavorful chicken ready for any recipe. This step-by-step guide will teach you everything you need to know to cook marinated chicken perfectly.
Selecting and Preparing the Chicken
The first step is choosing high quality chicken. Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs when marinating. The marinade can really penetrate and tenderize boneless cuts.
Trim any excess fat or membranes before marinating. This prevents the marinade from soaking into fatty areas. Rinse the chicken and pat it completely dry. You don’t want the marinade to sit on top of the meat; you want it to stick to it.
An important part of many marinade recipes is cutting the chicken into small, even pieces. This increases the surface area for the marinade to cover. Aim for around 1 inch cubes or strips. Cutting meat against its grain also helps it soak up more of the marinade.
The Marinating Process
The ideal marinating time is at least 30 minutes, up to overnight in the refrigerator This gives enough time for the flavors to be absorbed into the chicken, resulting in moist, more intense flavor.
Pour the marinade over the chicken in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Make sure all of the pieces are coated. Let it sit in the fridge occasionally turning or moving the bag around.
Don’t marinate for longer than 24 hours, as the acids in the marinade can start to break down the proteins. If marinating for over 2 hours, reserve a bit of the marinade to brush on later for added flavor.
Cooking Marinated Chicken
There are several good cooking methods for marinated chicken. The high heat helps develop flavors and creates delicious browning.
Grilling is a popular option. Cook over direct medium heat for 6-10 minutes per side. Baste frequently with reserved marinade. Ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Broiling works well too. Place the chicken on a foil-lined pan and broil 5-7 minutes each side, checking often. Baste with marinade and broil another 1-2 minutes after flipping.
Pan-searing on the stovetop is quick. Use a bit of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 4-6 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through.
Baking is simple too. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until no longer pink inside. Brush with extra marinade during baking.
Handling Leftover Marinade
Avoid basting chicken with leftover marinade later used as a sauce; this can spread bacteria.
Instead, reserve a portion before marinating. Boil it for 10 minutes first to kill any bacteria. Then use it as a sauce or for basting while cooking.
Discard any leftover marinade from raw chicken after done cooking. It contains raw juices which are unsafe once heated. Make a fresh batch of sauce using safe handling.
Tips for Flavorful, Juicy Chicken
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Use an acidic marinade. Ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt help tenderize.
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Include oil or dairy for increased moisture. Olive oil, buttermilk, etc.
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Season well with salt, pepper, spices. Add some heat with chili powder or garlic.
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Marinate in the fridge, not room temperature. This prevents bacteria growth.
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Pat chicken dry before marinating so the flavor sticks directly to the meat.
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Flip or stir chicken in the marinade a few times to maximize coverage.
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Cook over high heat like grilling or broiling. Avoid slow cooking marinated chicken.
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Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes after cooking so juices redistribute evenly.
Sample Marinade Recipes
Greek Chicken Marinade
Lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, minced garlic, salt, pepper. Marinate chicken 15-30 minutes.
Tandoori Chicken Marinade
Plain yogurt, lime juice, ginger, garam masala, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic. Marinate overnight.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Marinade
Soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, thyme, allspice, black pepper, habanero peppers, green onions. Marinate 1-2 hours.
Fajita Chicken Marinade
Lime juice, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, oregano, minced garlic, pepper. Marinate 30 minutes up to overnight.
Teriyaki Chicken Marinade
Soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger. Marinate at least 1 hour.
Perfectly Cooked Marinated Chicken Every Time
Cooking marinated chicken requires just a bit of prep and some simple techniques. Proper marinating and high heat cooking are key for flavorful, juicy chicken. Follow these tips and you’ll have delicious marinated chicken ready for any recipe. Feel free to get creative with marinade ingredients and cooking methods based on your tastes.
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How To Freeze Marinated Chicken
Having marinated chicken in the freezer is one of the best ways to meal prep. Seriously, you’ll have the tastiest and most delicious chicken ready to cook! But first, here are some tips on how to freeze it right.
- Prep the chicken. Place the chicken and marinade in a freezer-safe bag. Get rid of as much air as you can, then close the bag.
- Store away. Write the date and the name of the marinade on the bag. You can then freeze it for up to three months.
- Defrost. The chicken should be thawed in the fridge overnight before you cook it. After the chicken has thawed, cook it in any of the ways below!
- If you want to freeze chicken, you don’t have to marinate it first in the fridge. Just put it in the freezer right away! The chicken will start to marinate as it freezes and then thaws in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to eat it, it will have been marinated for 24 hours.
Ways To Cook With Marinated Chicken
When you’re ready to cook, you’ve got a few options. Most of the time, I bake chicken because it’s so easy to do. 20 minutes or so in the oven. But if you want that deliciously charred flavor, you can easily grill it.
- Baked Chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Then, put the chicken breasts and the marinade in a small baking dish. (Note: If you have a large baking dish or a sheet pan with a lip, don’t use the marinade because it will spread out and burn.) Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after it’s done cooking before cutting it up.
- Grilled Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it’s fully cooked and has the right amount of grill marks.
You only have 30 mins, make Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Thighs
FAQ
How to cook a marinated chicken?
Marinate in the refrigerator, 2 to 4 hours. Preheat grill for medium-low heat and lightly oil the grate. Drain and discard marinade. Grill the chicken on a hot grill for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until the middle is no longer pink.
How to cook chicken after it’s marinated?
Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade) and place on baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F on the inside. This time will change based on how thick the chicken breasts are, so check after 20 minutes to make sure they don’t get too done.
Is it best to fry or bake marinated chicken?
Oven roasting gives it a full and robust flavor. Pan frying is mostly for a good sear (crispy skin) and many notes of aromatics and herbs. Roasting in the oven is cleaner, tastier and faster because you spend less time cleaning the stove top.
How to cook marinated chicken in a pan?