7 Chicken Marinade Recipes (Freezer-Friendly!)
These 7 chicken marinade recipes make your chicken tender, juicy and so flavorful! You can cook these up in the oven or on the grill. It's so easy to prepare a bunch at once and freeze for later.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Marinating time2 hours hrs
Total Time2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 190kcal
Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast roughly 2 large chicken breasts; see note 1
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1.5 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup cilantro leaves chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sweet Chili Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast roughly 2 large chicken breasts
- 6 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (reduced sodium recommended)
- ¼ cup water
Jerk-Inspired Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast roughly 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Lemon Ginger Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast roughly 2 large chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Chipotle Lime Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast roughly 2 large chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Honey Garlic Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast roughly 2 large chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (I prefer reduced sodium)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup water
Yogurt Curry Chicken Marinade *note 3
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast roughly 2 large chicken breasts
- ¼ cup yogurt plain
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Cook
Oven- Heat oven to 425°F.Arrange chicken with marinade liquid into an 8x8 inch baking dish.Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway. See note 2.Double check that your chicken has reached 165°F using an instant read thermometer.Rest for 5 minutes, then serve. Grill- Heat BBQ to medium-high heat (450°F).Make sure the grill is clean and well greased.Shake off excess marinade and place the chicken over direct heat.Grill with the lid down for roughly 8 minutes, flipping every 2 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 155°F *.Allow to rest for 5 minutes (covered). Air Fryer- Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally to create two thin slices.Heat air fryer to 400°F.Shake off excess marinade, and arrange the chicken into the air fryer basket.Cook for 4 minutes, flip, then cook for an additional 2 minutes.Check that it has reached 165°F internally, then remove from the air fryer.Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
1- you may also use this marinade for boneless skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks. Slide the serving size number to increase the serving size.
2- approximate total bake times for chicken breasts:
- For small, 5 oz chicken breasts, 18-20 minutes at 425°F
- For 7 oz chicken breasts, 25 minutes at 425°F
- For 10.5 oz chicken breasts, 25-30 minutes at 425°F
3- the yogurt curry marinade will flake/break after freeze/thawing, but still has great flavor!
Freezing chicken in marinades
To freeze chicken in marinades, prepare as directed, then pop into the freezer. They may be frozen for up to 3 months.
Thawing frozen chicken marinades
These marinades must be thawed before cooking.
- Thaw 24 hours in the fridge or
- Immerse the bag in a bowl of cold water (with a heavy item on top to submerge the bag). Let it sit for 2 hours.
Serving: 4oz | Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 48mg | Sugar: 7g