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Overhead shot of plastic bags filled with 7 chicken breast marinades flavors with text overlay on each
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4.04 from 26 votes

7 Chicken Breast Marinades (+freezer tips)

These chicken breast marinades will add so much flavor to your chicken using simple pantry staples! Sharing 7 different flavors, plus tips on how to freeze chicken in a marinade for meal prep.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 221kcal

Ingredients

Thai Peanut Marinade

  • ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 lb chicken breast (roughly 2 breasts)

Peri Peri Marinade

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 lb chicken breast (roughly 2 breasts)

Sriracha Maple Marinade

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2-6 teaspoons sriracha (add to taste)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 lb chicken breasts (roughly 2 breasts)

Miso Honey Marinade

  • 2 tablespoons white miso paste
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons ginger (finely grated or chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb chicken breast (roughly 2 breasts)

Lemon Pepper Marinade

  • 4 teaspoons lemon pepper (I use McKormick brand)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon thyme leaves
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lb chicken breasts (roughly 2 breasts)

Brown Sugar Hoisin Marinade

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb chicken breasts (roughly 2 breasts)

Coconut Five Spice Marinade

  • 13.5 oz coconut milk (400 mL)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 4 teaspoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb chicken breasts (roughly 2 breasts)

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty freezer bag. Squish up the bag to mix it all up. Add chicken breasts and turn to coat in marinade.
  • Marinate the chicken in the fridge for 2-24 hours.
  • Heat oven to 425°F. Bake chicken in a shallow baking dish for 10 minutes, flip over, then bake for another 12-17 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Allow chicken to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Freezer

  • After combining the marinade ingredients with the chicken, place the bag in the freezer immediately. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw in the fridge overnight, or by immersing the bag in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours.
  • Cook as directed above.

Notes

nutritional info is for 1 portion of the peri-peri chicken
Storage
Marinades may be mixed up 7 days before adding chicken.
Cooked chicken may be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Alternative cooking methods:
  • grill- I recommend pounding the chicken flat before marinating to ensure it cooks through evenly. Cook over high heat 2 minutes per side until it reaches an internal temp of 155°F
  • frying pan- cook in olive oil over medium heat in a nonstick skillet for 5-7 minutes per side
  • air fryer- I recommend pounding the chicken before marinating. Cook at 390°F/ 200°C for 4 minutes + 2 minutes (flipping half way).
Marinating time for other proteins:
  • boneless chicken thighs- 2-24 hours marinating time
  • shrimp or fish- 30 minutes marinating time
  • pork tenderloin- at least 24 hours to marinate
  • tofu- press first, then marinate for 2-24 hours

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 chicken breast (3.5 oz) | Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 428mg | Potassium: 440mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 600IU | Vitamin C: 2.8mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.8mg