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Chicken Marinades

Chicken Marinades

Master the art of Chicken Marinades to transform simple chicken into juicy, flavorful meals. This easy-to-make marinade combines herbs, spices, acids, and oils to tenderize and infuse your chicken with vibrant taste, perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-frying. Customize with various flavor profiles from Asian-inspired to Mediterranean styles, and enjoy versatile, healthy dishes that are quick to prepare and delightful to eat.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes to overnight (including marination time)
  • Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

Scale

Acid Base

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar

Oils

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

Aromatics

  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, thyme, or parsley (or combination)

Spices

  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, adjust for heat)

Sweeteners

  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine Your Ingredients: In a bowl or resealable bag, whisk together the acid base (lemon juice or vinegar), oil, minced garlic, herbs, spices, sweetener, salt, and pepper until fully blended to ensure uniform flavor in every bite.
  2. Add the Chicken: Place your chicken pieces completely into the marinade, making sure they are fully submerged or evenly coated. Seal the container or bag and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to overnight for maximum tenderness.
  3. Cook with Confidence: Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess liquid. Cook using your preferred method such as grilling, baking, or pan-frying until fully cooked and juicy.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 24 hours to avoid a mushy texture.
  • Use glass or food-safe plastic containers to prevent reactions with acidic ingredients.
  • Maintain a balanced ratio of acid to oil to spices for optimal flavor and tenderness.
  • Pat chicken dry before cooking to achieve a better sear and avoid steaming.
  • Reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken to use later as a cooked sauce.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-25 minutes (depending on cooking method and chicken cut)
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 oz chicken)
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: chicken marinade, easy chicken recipe, juicy chicken, grilled chicken, baked chicken, herb marinade, healthy chicken, gluten free chicken