By S M

Simple And Easy Chicken Marinade Recipes - Sauces by Jrk!

For a quick and easy way to add flavor to your chicken, look no further than these simple and easy chicken marinade recipes from Sauces by Jrk! These marinades are perfect for busy weeknights when you need something fast and delicious. So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy some amazing chicken!

What Is A Chicken Marinade?

A chicken marinade is a great way to add flavor to the chicken. It is a mixture of herbs, spices, oil, and other flavorings that you use to soak the thinly sliced chicken breasts in before cooking. This can be a great way to add some excitement to a weeknight dinner, and it is easy to do. Simply mix up your marinade ingredients, place the chicken in it, and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, when you are ready to cook, simply grill or bake the chicken as usual.

Why Do You Need To Marinate Your Chicken?

Marinating your chicken is a great way to add flavor and moisture to the meat. When you soak the chicken in a marinade, the flavors of the herbs and spices will infuse into the meat, making it more flavorful and tender. Additionally, the oils in the marinade will help to keep the chicken moist as it cooks, preventing it from drying out.

Marination Duration

How long you marinate your chicken will depend on the ingredients in your marinade. If you are using an acidic ingredient like lemon juice or vinegar, you will only need to marinate the chicken for a few hours. However, if you are using a non-acidic ingredient like olive oil, you can safely marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours.

You can marinate your chicken thighs at room temperature or in the fridge. If you are marinating chicken at room temperature, be sure to use a food-safe container and chicken marinate for no more than 2 hours. If you are marinating the chicken in the fridge, you can safely marinate it for up to 24 hours.

The Best Chicken Marinade Recipes

When you have all the information about chicken marinades, it's time to get cooking. Here are some of our favorite marinade chicken recipes from Sauces By JRK!

Greek Lemon Chicken Marinade

This Greek lemon chicken marinade is the perfect blend of fresh and flavorful. The lemon juice gives it a tart and juicy flavor, while the oregano and garlic add some depth of flavor. This marinade is perfect for grilling or baking chicken.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast

Instructions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the bowl and coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Serve immediately.

Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade

The cilantro lime chicken marinade is a fresh and zesty option. The lime juice gives the chicken a tart and tangy flavor, while the cilantro adds a touch of freshness.

If you are grilling chicken, place the chicken in a food-safe container and marinate for no more than 2 hours. If you are baking chicken, you can safely marinate it for up to 24 hours.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice
  • lime zest
  • Chilli powder
  • Cumin
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 boneless chicken breasts

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, combine cilantro, 2 tablespoons olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine. Place chicken in a large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and mix well to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

Honey Mustard Marinade For Chicken

If you want a chicken marinade with a sweet and savory flavor, the honey mustard chicken marinade is a great option. The honey and mustard give it a nice balance of sweetness and tanginess, while the garlic and herbs add some depth of flavor. This marinade is perfect for grilling or baking chicken.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Boneless chicken

Instructions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken in a bowl and add a mixture of all ingredients, then marinate the chicken for 1-2 hours. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Teriyaki Chicken Marinade Recipe

The teriyaki chicken marinade is a sweet and savory option. The soy sauce and honey are a nice balance of sweetness and saltiness, you can also add ginger and garlic for flavor.

The best option is to use soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. This will give you a distinctively sharp taste, with Westernized versions incorporating honey, garlic, and ginger for added edge. The resulting dish is a perfect example of East meets West.

Ingredients:

  • Soy sauce
  • Mirin
  • Brown Sugar
  • Sake
  • Ginger (optional)
  • Garlic (optional)
  • Boneless chicken breasts
  • Apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. If using, add the ginger and garlic and mix well to combine. Place the chicken in the bowl and coat evenly with the marinade.

Cover and freeze marinated chicken for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Fajita Chicken Marinade Recipe

This fajita chicken marinade is a great way to add some flavor to your chicken. The chili powder gives it a nice smoky flavor, while the lime juice and cumin add some depth of flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Boneless chicken breasts

Instructions:

Take chicken in a bowl. Add all the ingredients to it. Mix everything well so that chicken is coated with the marinade. Let it sit for 30 minutes so that chicken can absorb all the flavors. Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Serve immediately.

Italian Chicken Marinade Recipe

It can be done by mixing up some ingredients like garlic, herbs, olive oil, and vinegar. Letting the chicken sit in this mixture for a few hours or even overnight will give it a chance to soak up the flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Boneless chicken breasts

Instructions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken thighs in the bowl and coat evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

How To Cook Marinated Chicken

There are two ways to cook marinated chicken which are grilling and baking.

Baked Chicken

If you are baking your chicken, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grilled Chicken

If you are grilling your chicken, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Set grilled chicken marinade for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Freezing Your Marinated Chicken

One of the best things about chicken marinades is that you can make them ahead of time and freeze them. This is a great way to meal prep for the week or has dinner ready to go on a busy night. You can either grill or bake the chicken breast when you are ready to eat it.

Prepare The Chicken

If you are freezing the chicken whole, you will need to remove the skin and any excess fat. Cut the chicken into pieces if you are freezing it in individual portions.

Mix your chosen marinade ingredients and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Add the chicken to the bag and make sure it is coated in the marinade. Remove as much air from the bag as possible and seal it.

Store Away

Label the bag with the name of the recipe and the date. Chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you are ready to cook your chicken, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight.

Defrosting Your Chicken

You can safely defrost your marinate chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Place the chicken in a bowl or on a plate and cover it with plastic wrap. Put it in the refrigerator and let it thaw slowly overnight.

Do not try to speed up the process by defrosting it at room temperature or in the microwave, as this can cause the chicken to cook unevenly and become dry.

Stay Tuned For More

There are endless possibilities when it comes to chicken marinades. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your favorite. And be sure to check back for more recipes and ideas. Moreover, purchase Jrk! famous jerk marinade pack for the authentic Jamaican flavor.

                                                                 KYLE PRICE 

Kyle Price, the creative force behind Sauces by Jrk!, brings a unique blend of Jamaican culinary heritage and modern flair to the world of gourmet sauces. Starting his journey in a bustling Miami kitchen, Kyle's passion for authentic Jamaican flavors and commitment to natural, health-focused ingredients quickly set his sauces apart. His mantra, "Health is Wealth, Mon," reflects in every bottle, offering a delicious journey into Jamaican tradition with a contemporary twist.

For more about Kyle and his approach, visit Sauces by Jrk!.