How to Marinate Chicken
This easy technique has major payoff.
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By Grace Elkus for Food Network Kitchen.
Grace is a contributing writer at Food Network.
While everyone’s entitled to their own chicken preferences (bone-in vs. boneless; shredded vs. sliced), it’s fair to assume that no one likes it dry. Luckily, that’s what marinades are for. The versatile, easy-to-make mixture results in tender, flavorful results every time, no matter the type of chicken you're using or even how you're cooking it. But what's the best way to marinate, and for how long? Read on for our expert advice.
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What Goes In a Marinade?
Most marinades are made up of the same five components: fat, acid, aromatics, seasonings and salt. Sugar, enzymes and alcohol are also sometimes used.
The fat, such as olive or vegetable oil, is a vehicle for flavor and helps the spices and aromatics adhere to the meat.
The acid, often vinegar, citrus juice, buttermilk or yogurt, tenderizes the meat and keeps it moist.
Aromatics, seasonings and salt add flavor and balance, while salt also pulls out water from the meat and assists in tenderizing.
For the best-tasting marinades, choose flavors that complement one another. A BBQ chicken marinade, for example, will taste best with apple cider vinegar as its acid, while a boozy tequila marinade begs for lime or orange juice.
How to Marinate Chicken, Step by Step
Once you've chosen a recipe (here's a great one for beginners), follow these instructions for foolproof results every time:
Step 1: Make the Marinade
Combine the marinade ingredients (the fat, acid, aromatics, seasonings and salt) in a large resealable plastic bag. Close the bag and shake until well-mixed.
Step 2: Add the Chicken
Open the bag, add the chicken pieces, then close the bag and shake until the chicken is evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24. Or, freeze for up to one month.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
If frozen, thaw the bag in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, thaw under running water or in the microwave at 30 percent power in 1-minute intervals.
Remove the chicken from the marinade, then cook as desired (see below for ideas).
How Long Should You Marinade Chicken?
You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours. But if you’re short on time, even a 15-minute marinade can still impart flavor, especially on smaller pieces of meat. In general, boneless cuts of chicken will require a shorter marinade time than bone-in pieces.
To avoid mushy chicken, don't let it marinate for longer than 24 hours, as the marinade will start to break down the meat's fibers over time. You can, however, freeze marinated chicken for up to one month.
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How to Cook Marinated Chicken
There's no wrong way to cook marinated chicken: you can roast it in the oven, cook it under the broiler, or even deep fry it. But perhaps the most common way to cook it is on the grill, since the marinade helps prevent the chicken from drying out under the high heat.
No matter how you cook it, you'll want to discard any extra uncooked marinade. Alternatively, bring the marinade to a full boil to kill any bacteria, then brush it onto the cooked chicken.
Chicken Marinade Recipes
From chimichurri to honey mustard, these easy marinades are guaranteed flavor boosters.
Matt Armendariz
The food processor makes quick work of this fresh and flavorful marinade, which is packed with both fresh and dried herbs and lots of minced garlic.
Matt Armendariz
This sweet and tangy marinade will be an instant hit with kids. Make it in advance, pop it in the freezer then defrost on a busy week.
Matt Armendariz
Curry Chicken Marinade
Bring new life to chicken breasts with this warmly-spiced marinade, featuring grated fresh ginger, curry powder and garam masala.
Matt Armendariz
Honey Mustard Chicken Marinade
You can never go wrong with the classic honey mustard combo, and marinades are no exception. Easy and delicious!
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