Chicken Marinade: Recipe, Variations, and Tips

A marinade is one of the easiest and most effective ways to infuse any cut of chicken with flavor. When applied to raw chicken over a period of hours, a chicken marinade helps to both flavor and tenderize the chicken, yielding juicy meat. A chicken marinade traditionally consists of a balance of fat (like oil), acid (like vinegar), and seasonings (like spices, herbs, and condiments).

For an easy weeknight dinner, marinate the chicken the night before cooking. Then, cook the marinated chicken in an air fryer, slow cooker, grill, or pan, or on a baking sheet in the oven.

Chicken marination times can range from thirty minutes to twenty-four hours. In general, the longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will be. However, longer marination times can result in tougher, drier meat, as the protein fibers lose their elasticity during extended contact with acid.

In general, larger cuts take longer to marinate: A whole chicken may benefit from a day (or more) of marination, while a boneless skinless chicken breast may only need thirty minutes to an hour.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of an easy chicken marinade, the marinade possibilities are endless. Some popular variations of chicken marinades include:

1. 1. Asian-style chicken: Asian condiments like soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, and sesame oil make a great marinade. Consider adding fresh ginger or lemongrass for brightness.
2. 2. BBQ chicken: Barbecue sauce is the perfect marinade for grilled chicken. Make your own BBQ sauce with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar, or add BBQ seasoning to any marinade.
3. 3. Honey mustard chicken: Combine Dijon mustard and honey for an easy and classic chicken marinade.
4. 4. Italian-style chicken: For Italian flavor, make a classic chicken marinade with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Italian seasoning or herbs like basil and oregano. Use balsamic vinegar for a sweeter version.
5. 5. Jerk chicken: Try a zesty Jamaican jerk–inspired grilled chicken marinade with allspice, brown sugar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
6. 6. Lemon and herb chicken: This super-simple marinade consists of olive oil, lemon juice, and your favorite dried or fresh herbs.
7. 7. Mexican–style chicken: If you need shredded chicken for tacos or fajitas, make a chicken marinade with lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, and cumin.
8. 8. Piri-piri chicken: Try a marinade inspired by African piri-piri chicken, featuring smoked paprika, dried chilis, lemon juice, garlic, and more.
9. 9. Teriyaki chicken: This flavorful marinade consists of sweet-and-savory ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and ground ginger. Learn how to make teriyaki chicken.

Become a marination master in no time with these simple tips for making the best chicken marinade possible.

1. 1. Switch up the chicken cut. You can use a marinade on any cut of chicken, including boneless skinless chicken breasts, drumsticks, bone-in thighs, or chicken tenders. Remember that larger cuts and bone-in, skin-on cuts may benefit from longer marination times.
2. 2. Pierce the meat. Before placing the poultry in the marinade, pierce each piece of chicken numerous times with a fork, which will help the marinade seep into the bird. This optional step is particularly beneficial if you opt for a shorter marination time.
3. 3. Experiment with additions. You don’t need to run to the store to make a flavorful chicken marinade. Use the ingredients you have on hand: Start with any type of oil, from avocado oil to vegetable oil. Play with different citrus juices and vinegars for the acidic element, or use leftover pickle juice. Add your favorite spices and any dried and fresh herbs you have on hand. Taste as you go along to achieve a well-balanced marinade.
4. 4. Discard leftover marinade. Most marinade ingredients are safe to eat raw on their own, but when they come into contact with raw chicken, you risk cross-contamination. If you cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it should be safe to eat. However, don’t try to save the leftover marinade. If you want to use some marinade to flavor side dishes or glaze or baste the chicken, set some aside before combining it with the chicken.