These 5 Chicken Marinade recipes make flavorful, juicy and tender chicken every time. Cook the best grilled chicken with tips on how long to marinate, the best grilling methods and how to know your chicken is done but NOT dry!
Easy Chicken Marinades for Grilling
One of the MOST asked questions I receive on my blog and on social media is..
“Do you have any marinades you use for chicken or vegetables?”
And the answer is yes! Today I am sharing 5 of my favorite chicken marinades for grilling. I use them mostly on chicken, but you could definitely use them on vegetables if you want!
How do you make a chicken marinade?
When making a chicken marinade, there are a few things I always keep in mind. I want to include an acid to help tenderize the meat, herbs to flavor and an oil to help coat the chicken. Every one of these marinades has a tangy, sweet, acidic and savory component. You NEED each and every one of these when creating a flavorful marinade. It’s like an umami of flavor!
How long do you marinate chicken?
When marinating anything the general rule is, marinate for at least 30 minutes but overnight is always better. Here are a few tips when it comes to marinating chicken:
For a faster marinade: You can score meat before marinating. Doing this helps the marinade penetrate deeper. Just prick the surface of the chicken a few times with a fork or a knife then add to the marinade. Marinate for 30 minutes for a fast marinade.
Coat Everything: I always make sure that when my chicken is in the marinade I toss it around to make sure every square each of that chicken is coated with the marinade and even during the marinating process. After all, you don’t want just one side of the chicken getting flavor.
The BEST 5 Flavorful Chicken Marinades in jars
Can you marinate chicken too long?
Surprisingly, yes! I usually don’t go past 1 full day of marinating in the refrigerator. When you have a marinade with an acid component, like vinegar or citrus juice, it can actually make the meat tougher and denser. Which is why I don’t buy pre-marinated meats! Just saying!
How do you keep chicken moist on the grill?
The best way to keep your chicken juicy instead of drying out is two fold. Infuse it with marinade and don’t overcook it. Duh! One of the best things you can invest in is a meat thermometer! I use this one, and I love it! It has the option to select different meats (beef, lamb, fish, chicken, etc) and gives you the doneness temperature for each! It’s amazing! No more dried out chicken! EVER!
How do I grill chicken on the grill?
Preheat your Grill: I like to make sure my grill is around 375-400°F when grilling chicken.
Generously oil your grill grates. I either spray my CLEANED grill grated with a cooking spray like this or I soak a old rag with oil (avocado, olive or vegetable). Then using tongs, rub the drenched rags along the grill grates. Doing this will ensure the chicken doesn’t stick to the grill grates.
Grill Chicken: Place marinated chicken breasts on the grill. I like to grill my chicken for a total of 10 minutes, usually 5-6 minutes per side. After 10 minutes I start checking the internal temperature of the chicken, once is reaches 165°F it’s done.
Let it Rest: Once chicken reaches 165°F, remove it from the grill and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes before cutting it. This part is key! When the chicken is being grilled it seizes up and all the juices come to the center. As it rests, you’re allowing all those juices to be redistribution to the rest of the chicken leaving you with one juicy chicken breast.
closeup of The BEST 5 Flavorful Chicken Marinades for Grilling
Can I freeze chicken in marinade?
YES! Honestly, that’s the best part about this marinades! I made all 5 of these marinades in one day and froze 3 of them! Here’s how you do it:
Add chicken to a freezer-safe storage bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Remove all the air from the bag and seal. Using your hands move the chicken around to make sure they are all coated. Label the container with the contents and date.
Place storage bag in freezer, try to arrange the freezer so that the bag is as flat as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw: Remove bag from the freezer and thaw on a plate in the refrigerator overnight. After it’s thawed, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
I worked hard on all 5 of these recipes. They have been tested, re-tested and approved as the Best Chicken Marinades for Grilling around! I tried to make sure that I had enough variety and I think I did it!
You have a Teriyaki Marinade, Honey Sriracha Marinade, Sweet Balsamic Marinade, Cilantro Lime Marinade and a Zesty Greek Marinade. I cannot wait to hear what you think!
Bon Appetit friends!