6 Easy Chicken Marinades
Published 7/24/2023
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Dry, tasteless chicken no more! Use one of these 6 delicious chicken marinade recipes to infuse flavor into your chicken. All you have to do is mix up a marinade and let your chicken marinate for 30 minutes.
In this post, we’ll teach why you should marinate your chicken, how to make a chicken marinade, and how to freeze marinated chicken!
This chicken marinde post is one of our most popular recipe tutorials on Fit Foodie Finds. So many of you have made one of these chicken marinades and loved every bite. Enjoy!
Featured Comment
“Please don’t ever take this down- each one is delicious and makes for an easy weeknight dinner option. I’ve made them all and they’re great- thanks for sharing!“ – Krista
If there is one thing we stand by it’s marinating chicken. Chicken marinades truly add so much flavor and tenderness to chicken and we worked hard perfecting 6 different chicken marinade flavors for you.
My personal favorite marinade for chicken is the teriyaki version because I can serve it next to white rice and roasted broccoli, but balsamic is a close second and perfect for grilling chicken! Plus, it’s the perfect chicken marinade for grilling!
Other easy chicken marinade flavor variations we’re sharing in this post are: teriyaki, balsamic, lemon, fajita, Italian, and BBQ.
What is in a chicken marinade?
Our basic chicken marinade is made with an olive oil base and then any additional flavors such as citrus juice, fresh herbs, spices, and sauce. Let your chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes and then cook it any way you want.
- oil: we like using a mild in flavor oil such as olive oil. You can also try avocado oil.
- citrus: a little bit of lime, lemon, or orange will add so much brightness to your chicken.
- fresh herbs: bring on the herbs. We recommend any and all herbs including dill, rosemary, cilantro, and parsley.
- seasonings: spices add a more intense flavor. Try garlic, chili powder, onion powder, or garlic powder.
- sauces: our go-to sauces for marinating chicken includes bbq sauce, Worcestershires sauce, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar.
How long should I marinate my chicken?
We recommend marinating your chicken for anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours.
If your chicken marinade does not contain a citrus fruit or acid-like vinegar, you can marinate it overnight or for up to 24 hours.
How much marinade do I need per 1 lb. of chicken?
Per 1 to 1.5 lbs. of chicken, you’ll need around 1/2 cup of marinade. So, feel free to double or triple any of these marinades to flavor more chicken.
What cuts of chicken can I marinate?
Any cut of chicken can be marinated: chicken breasts, chicken legs, chicken thighs, and whole chickens!
Check it out!
6 Baked Chicken Breast Recipes
You are going to love these 6 oven baked chicken breast recipes. Check out how to bake chicken breast perfectly every time and get 6 delicious flavor variations!
What should I marinate my chicken in?
When it comes time to actually marinate your poultry, pretty much any container large enough to house your chicken works! Here are our top 3 choices.
- Casserole dish: we love using a simple casserole dish because it makes for easy baking when it’s time to cook!
- Gallon-size plastic bag: planning to freeze your marinated chicken? Use a plastic bag as your vessel for marinating.
- Glass container or bowl: don’t have either of the above? Any glass container or bowl will work!
How do I cook marinated chicken?
Our #1 piece of advice when cooking chicken is to make sure to cook it until the internal temperature is at least 165ºF. Pretty much any cooking method is fair game. We’re linking to some of our basic chicken breast recipes below so you can learn how to easily cook your marinated chicken.
- Oven-Baked Chicken
- Grilled Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Slow Cooker Chicken
- Sous Vide Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Try it!
Thermoworks Thermapen
We swear by using a meat thermometer when cooking any cut of meat. The Thermapen is our go-to meat thermometer that works every time.
Can you freeze marinated chicken?
Freezing marinated chicken is one of our secret meal-prep tips! Simply place your chicken in a large, gallon-size bag and then add the marinade. Remove as much air as possible and then seal the bag shut. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
PS: there is no need to let your chicken marinate for the full 24 hours before freezing. It will marinate as it freezes and as it thaws!
How to cook frozen marinated chicken
We get this question all. the. time. Unfortunately, we don’t ever recommend cooking chicken from a frozen state unless you use an Instant Pot. Get our Instant Pot Chicken recipe here.
For the best results and to avoid any kind of food-borne illness, let your marinated chicken completely thaw before following of the above cook methods.
Well, what about a chicken dry rub or chicken seasoning? Dry rubs typically flavor the outside of your meat, but a marinade is going to flavor the entire cut of chicken. Sometimes, we like to use a combination of both!
And now, please enjoy 6 of our go-to chicken breast marinade recipes!
Easy Chicken Marinade – 6 Ways
Ingredients
Fajita Chicken Marinade
- 1 – 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
Lemon Chicken Marinade
- 1 – 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1/2 tablespoon white rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey, or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
BBQ Chicken Marinade
- 1 – 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 olive oil
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Teriyaki Chicken Marinade
- 1 – 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Italian Chicken Marinade
- 1 – 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
Balsamic Chicken Marinade
- 1 – 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
Instructions
- Choose a chicken marinade flavor from above and place all ingredients (minus the chicken breast) into a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
- Place chicken breast into a glass container or gallon-size bag. Then, pour the marinade on top of the chicken, making sure it is covered.
- Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or for up to 6 hours.
- Follow your favorite cooking method to cooking chicken breast until the internal temperature is 165ºF.
Tips & Notes
- Each of these chicken breast marinade recipes is enough marinade for 1 to 1.5 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breast.
- Nutrition information is for the lemon chicken marinade with 1.5 lbs. of chicken breast serving 6 people.
- Cooking Methods
- Oven: transfer the chicken and chicken marinade into an oven-safe baking dish. Bake at 400ºF for around 20-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
- Grill: grill chicken at 400ºF over direct heat for around 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Chicken Fajita Marinade
Looking for chicken fajita marinade that’s super simple to put together yet packs in all the classic fajita flavors? You’ll love this chicken marinade as it’s made with a mixture of olive oil, spices, lime juice, and fresh cilantro!
What you need
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
Lemon Chicken Marinade
This lemon chicken marinade is light, fresh, and made with lemon juice, dill, garlic, and olive oil. It’s a winner every time!
What you need
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1/2 tablespoon white rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
BBQ Chicken Marinade
There is nothing better than saucy BBQ chicken. Follow this easy bbq chicken marinade recipe and mix your favorite bbq sauce with savory spices and a little olive oil!
What You Need
- 1/4 olive oil
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Teriyaki Chicken Marinade
Say hello to the greatest teriyaki chicken marinade you’ve ever tasted. Our homemade teriyaki sauce is made with 7 simple ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. PS: it’s made without refined sugars, too!
What You Need
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Italian Chicken Marinade
This Italian chicken marinade is such a great all-purpose marinade to make for any meal. It’s made with fresh and dried herbs, lemon, and olive oil. You’ll never buy store-bought Italian marinade again!
What You Need
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
Balsamic Chicken Marinade
We love this balsamic chicken marinade so much because it keeps things simple with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, balsamic, and fresh basil. Yum!
What You Need
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
Do you recommend using fresh chicken that is already thawed out? Or can you thaw and re-freeze.
Thanks
I would use fresh chicken either way, but chicken that has already been frozen and thawed works!
Thank! I like this information
I tried the teriyaki chicken and it was a hit! I added in onion and green pepper and put it over rice, whole family loved it! We will be trying the others! I have the lemon one sitting right now, maybe hubby with make it for the kids while i’m at work tonight ;). If you’re looking for a quick easy meal and dont mind prepping the day before, this recipe is for you! definitely a lot cheaper than buying the per-marinaded ones and taste lot better
Thank you for your thoughtful review!
These marinades are amazing! I love chicken so much.
I can’t find white rice vinegar. Is there something else I can substitute? Or can I use regular rice vinegar?
Apple cider works too!
Can I substitute apple cider with rice vinegar for bbq marinate?
That should work!
if you have a world foods section in your store i found mine by where they keep the shelved Chinese food. it was with the soy sauces and hoisen sauce.
Check the international or ethnic aisle at your grocery, or ask. I’ve never had a problem finding it in any grocery, but it may very well NOT be with the other vinegars.
Thank you for the information. I will definitely try to cook the Italian Chicken Marinade and Balsamic Chicken Marinade.
Can i fry it ibstead of bake. Thanks
Yes, of course! Here’s a good post on how to do that: https://fitfoodiefinds.com/juicy-pan-seared-chicken-breast/
Amazing! I made the barbecue and it’s delicious! Thank your sharing.
So I’ve been cooking chicken using the 6 easy marinade recipes… and all I gotta say is that I never knew chicken could TASTE SO DAMN GOOD
Yahoooo!! I literally can’t pick a favorite!
wow! thanks for the tips! they look great
Awesome!!!!!!