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Having marinated chicken ready in your fridge or freezer makes weeknight dinners a breeze. From bright and herby to sweet, spicy, and savory, these six easy, healthy chicken marinades will keep your meals exciting and your family coming back for seconds!
Table of Contents
Why I Love These Chicken Marinades
- Incredibly flavorful chicken (with very little effort): Each marinade is packed with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that soak right into the chicken, so you get juicy, flavorful results every time. No complicated prep required.
- Perfect for meal prep & busy weeknights: Marinate the chicken ahead of time and dinner is already halfway done. Serve with your favorite Air Fryer Veggies and some Herb Garlic Roast Potatoes for a healthy, stress-free meal.
- Six marinades means no dinner boredom: From fresh and herby to bold and savory, these easy chicken marinades give you plenty of variety using the same basic protein, so you can switch things up without extra work.
How to Marinate Chicken
- Mix the marinade. In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine all of the marinade ingredients and stir or shake until well mixed.
- Add the chicken. Place the chicken in the marinade and turn to fully coat.
- Marinate. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes for quick flavor, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.
- Cook or freeze. Cook the chicken right away, or freeze it in the marinade for an easy future meal.
Pro Tip
Don’t marinate chicken for longer than 24 hours. The acid in some marinades can start to “cook” the chicken and change the texture, making it a little mushy.
Six Easy Chicken Marinades
These easy, healthy chicken marinades make dinner planning so much easier. Prep one or prep all six and you’ll have flavorful chicken ready for busy nights ahead.
1. Fresh Herbs Chicken Marinade
Bright, zesty, and herby with lemon, parsley, and cilantro. This chicken marinade is light and fresh, perfect for summer dinners or a simple weeknight roast.
Serve with: Air Fryer Veggies, Herb Garlic Roast Potatoes, or a simple summer garden salad.
2. Jerk Chicken Marinade
Bold, slightly sweet, and spicy with allspice, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Bring a taste of the Caribbean to your dinner table with minimal effort.
Serve with: Coconut Rice, Sweet Potato Cakes, and Steamed Broccoli or Green Beans.
3. BBQ Chicken Marinade
Use your favorite store bought or homemade BBQ sauce recipe here. This one’s a total crowd-pleaser every time. Great for grilling or oven-baked dinners that feel easy but delicious.
Serve with: Corn on the Cob, Coleslaw, or Twice Baked Potatoes.
4. Curry Chicken Marinade
Creamy, mildly spiced, and tangy with curry and lemon. This one adds a warm, comforting flavor without being too heavy.
Serve with: Perfect Brown Rice or Quinoa, Roasted Cauliflower or Cauliflower Steaks, and the Cucumber Raita from this Chicken Tikka with Cucumber Mint Raita recipe.
5. Salsa Verde Chicken Marinade
Tangy, herby, and slightly zippy, made with fresh salsa verde. A great way to jazz up weeknight chicken with minimal prep.
Serve with: Pressure Cooker Black Beans, Steamed Rice, and Sautéed Peppers and Onions.
6. Soy Ginger Chicken Marinade
Sweet, savory, and bright with honey, soy, sesame, and ginger. Perfect for an Asian-inspired weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Serve with: Steamed Rice or Rice Noodles, Roasted Broccoli, and Snap Peas or Carrots.
How to Cook Marinated Chicken Breast
Oven: Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F. I love baking chicken because it basically cooks itself while you’re busy doing other things. In a pinch, you can bake chicken straight from frozen, just add about 50% more cooking time and make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Air Fryer: Air frying is one of my favorite ways to cook chicken breasts. Air fry at 375°F for 8–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally.
Grill: Set the grill to medium/high and cook chicken breasts 5-6 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
FAQs
Yes! Chicken can be frozen in the marinade for up to 3 months. Just label and date your bag, then thaw in the fridge before cooking or bake straight from frozen adding extra time.
You can! Bake at 350°F and add about 50% more cooking time. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Flavors may be a little milder than fully marinated chicken, but it’s a lifesaver on busy nights.
For best results, marinate chicken between 15 minutes and 24 hours. Any longer, and the acids in some marinades can start to change the texture, making it a little mushy.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Which marinade will you try first?! Try one, try all six, or rotate them throughout the week, these easy chicken marinades make dinner simple, flavorful, and fun! Don’t forget to save your favorites and share your creations with me on social media!
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Marinated Chicken 6 Ways
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (per marinade)
Fresh Herb Chicken Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Jerk Chicken Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
BBQ Chicken Marinade:
- 1/4-1/2 cup favorite BBQ sauce
Curry Yogurt Chicken Marinade:
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Salsa Verde Chicken Marinade:
- 1/4 cup salsa verde
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Soy Ginger Chicken Marinade:
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl or ziplock bag, combine the marinade ingredients and mix well.
- Add the chicken and coat with the marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Cook the chicken right away, or freeze it in the marinade for an easy future meal.
Cook the Chicken:
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Bake chicken for 25–30 minutes (or 40–45 minutes if frozen) until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 375°F. Air fry 8–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Grill: Preheat grill to medium/high. Cook 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
All of these are delicious! I come back to the soy ginger on all the time though. It’s my favorite one!
thank you will try for my babies! One of them is a picky eater. So this idea will help me out! I love it