Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Toya
If you have some chicken you want to prepare or you’re looking to make the most flavorful chicken dishes for the family, this list of chicken marinades is exactly what you;re looking for.
Today, I’m sharing 9 amazing chicken marinade recipes that will transform your chicken! And the best part is they’re made with simple kitchen staples. No fancy ingredients needed for any of these recipes!
These marinades are affordable, easy to make and will not only infuse chicken with the best flavors but also helps to tenderize your chicken, making every bite deliciously juicy.
So, whether you’re grilling, sautéing, baking, or stir-frying, the right marinade is exactly what you need to make your chicken recipes the best that they can be. And, I have some that you will love right here!
Keep reading as I will share some of my thoughts on what makes a good marinade, how and when to use marinades and nine of my favorite chicken marinade recipes you must try out!
What Is a Good Marinade?
A good marinade typically consists of five key components: an acid, oil, salt, sweetener and seasonings. The acid—like vinegar, citrus juice, or yogurt—helps tenderize the meat and adds brightness. Oil adds moisture and richness, while seasonings (herbs, spices, and other flavorings) enhance the overall taste. The balance of these elements will depend on your taste preferences and the cooking method you choose.
How to Use Marinades
Using marinades is simple, but timing is essential. For maximum flavor, marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes; however, some recipes benefit from longer marination times of up to 8 hours or even overnight. After marinating, be sure to discard any leftover marinade, as it can harbor bacteria from the raw chicken.
Below, I will share nine easy chicken marinade recipes that you can whip up in no time!
1. Lime Garlic Chicken Marinade
My easy lime garlic chicken marinade is a zesty blend that adds beautiful vibrant flavors to your chicken. This marinade combines freshly squeezed lime juice, minced garlic, and olive oil, to create a tangy and aromatic chicken marinade mixture. I also used salt and pepper to round off the taste of this zesty marinade recipe.
If you want to try this marinade out, mix the ingredients below, then simply marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. This results in juicy, tender chicken that’s perfect for grilling, baking, or sautéing. This marinade makes chicken that is ideal for quick weeknight dinners or even special occasions!
Ingredients:
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup olive oil (60 ml)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (60 ml)
- 1 tsp salt (5 g)
- ½ tsp black pepper (2 g)
- ½ tsp chili flakes
Instructions:
Mix the garlic, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Place your chicken (about 1- 1.5 pounds) in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it, making sure the chicken is well coated before sealing or covering. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but for the best flavor, marinate for 2-4 hours or overnight.
2. BBQ Chicken Marinade
This BBQ Chicken Marinade is a deliciously smoky and tangy blend that makes the best BBQ chicken recipes. This marinade is a combination a rich barbecue sauce with key ingredients like apple cider vinegar, honey, and a hint of garlic and onion powder. This mixture creates the perfect balance of flavors. You can also add a dash of cayenne for a little kick.
Once done, marinate your chicken for at least an hour to let the flavors infuse. You can use this marinade to make bbq chicken that is great for summer cookouts or family dinners!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (120 ml)
- 2 tbsp honey (30 ml)
- 2 tbsp vinegar (30 ml)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (2 g)
- 1 tsp onion powder (2 g)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper powder (optional)
Instructions:
Combine BBQ sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder and cayenne pepper(optional) together.
Put your chicken (approximately 1.5 to 2 pounds) into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish, then pour the marinade over it, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes; for optimal flavor, marinate for 2 to 4 hours or even overnight.
3. Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
This cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade is a fresh and vibrant blend that brings out the the natural flavors of chicken. This marinade is made using zesty lime juice, which adds a tangy brightness, complemented by minced garlic and chopped fresh cilantro for an aromatic kick. The olive oil used in this marinade helps to keep the chicken moist and tender while salt, pepper and some cumin brings the whole thing together.
Optionally, you can include additions like jalapeño to bring a bit of heat and some depth to the marinade recipe.
Once this marinade recipe is ready, you can marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, resulting in a deliciously zesty chicken perfect for grilling, baking, or sautéing!
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped, 15 g)
- ¼ cup lime juice (60 ml)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp cumin (2 g)
Instructions:
Mix cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and cumin in a bowl. Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours, for best flavor.
Place your chicken into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish, then drizzle the marinade over it until the chicken is coated.
Seal the bag or cover the dish, and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes; for optimal flavor, marinate for 2 to 4 hours or even overnight.
4. Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade
Need a quick Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade? This flavor packed marinade recipe is exactly what you’re looking for. This marinade combines tangy yogurt with freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, thyme and olive oil.
Use this marinade to marinate your chicken for at least an hour to allow the flavors to penetrate for succulent, chicken!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (120 g)
- ¼ cup lemon juice (60 ml)
- 2 tsp dried oregano (4 g)
- 2 tsp dried thyme (4g)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
Instructions:
Whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, garlic, and olive oil.
Place your chicken in a shallow dish or resealable bag and marinate the chicken for 2-6 hours before cooking.
5. Cajun Chicken Marinade
My Cajun Chicken Marinade is a bold and spicy blend that adds the best of Louisiana flavors into any cut of chicken. This marinade combines tangy ingredients like apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce with a mix of Cajun spices, including paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder with some Olive oil. Use this cajun mixture to marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the spices to infuse. Th result will be the most flavorful cajun chicken recipes!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Place your cuts of chicken into the bowl or resealable and marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
6. Mexican Chicken Marinade
This Mexican Chicken Marinade is a vibrant blend that imparts the best Mexican flavors to any cut of chicken This marinade typically combines tangy lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, fresh cilantro, cumin, chili powder, and paprika and a touch of salt for the best tasting Mexican marinade ever.
Marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld for the best tender, flavorful meat that’s perfect for grilling, baking, or adding to tacos and salads!
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup lime juice (60 ml)
- ¼ cup olive oil (60 ml)
- 1 tbsp chili powder (8 g)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (3 g)
- 1 tsp cumin (2 g)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped, 15 g)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Then place your chicken in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over your chicken. Make sure to marinate the chicken for 1-4 hours before cooking.
7. Honey Mustard Chicken Marinade
My easy honey mustard marinade blends sweet honey and tangy mustard that can be used to make the best honey mustard chicken, but also perfect for pork, salmon, shrimp and more. Give this recipe a try.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup honey (60 ml)
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard (60 ml)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp salt (5 g)
- ½ tsp black pepper (2.5 g)
Instructions:
Whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl. Once mixed, place chicken into a reusable bag or shallow dish, pour the marinade over until coated, and marinate for 2-4 hours before cooking.
8. Teriyaki Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup soy sauce (60 ml)
- 2 tbsp honey (30 ml)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated, 6 g)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (30 ml)
- 2 tbsp sesame oil (30 ml)
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl. Next, place your chicken (about 1 lb.) into a shallow dish or reusable bag and marinate the chicken for 1-3 hours before cooking.
These marinades off you a quick way to add various flavors in to your chicken recipes. They’re a great way to skip the same old, go-to recipes you always make and give you family something new to each each day!
So go ahead, mix up your favorite marinade from the list, and enjoy a delicious chicken dish tonight!
FAQs About Chicken Marinades
- What is a marinade?
A marinade is a mixture of ingredients used to soak food, particularly meat, to enhance flavor and tenderness. A marinade typically includes an acid (like vinegar or citrus juice), oil, a sweetener, salt and seasonings. - How long should I marinate chicken?
For the best results, you should marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours. However, for more flavor and tenderness, marinating for 4 to 24 hours is often recommended. - Can I marinate chicken too long?
Yes, marinating chicken for too long, especially in acidic marinades, can break down the proteins too much, leading to a mushy texture. Generally, you should avoid marinating chicken for more than 24 hours. - What are the best ingredients for chicken marinades?
Common ingredients include olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, herbs (like rosemary or thyme), and spices (like paprika or cumin). You can customize your ingredients based on your own personal taste. - Should I marinate chicken in the fridge or at room temperature?
Always marinate chicken in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth. - Can I reuse marinade?
It’s not safe to reuse marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken. If you want to use it as a sauce, set aside some before adding the chicken, or boil the used marinade to kill any bacteria. - How do I know if my chicken is done marinating?
Once the chicken has soaked for the appropriate time, it should have absorbed the flavors.
This list contains 9 of my favorite chicken marinade recipes. Give each of them a try and let know know what you think of them in the comments below!