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Looking for a quick and easy way to spice up your chicken breasts? Check out these four simple chicken breast marinade recipes! These marinades are flavorful and healthy, and they will make your chicken breasts taste amazing. Whether you are looking for Asian-inspired flavor, classic lemon, something from south of the border, or a little tangy and sweet, I’ve got you covered!
One of my favorite things to do with chicken breast is marinating it. Chicken is such a great “canvas” as it soaks up flavors so well. Plus, it’s an extremely versatile protein that can be used in so many different dishes, from grilling, stovetop, and baking. I often find myself making the same few chicken marinades over and over again because they are just so darn good. But sometimes, I like to mix things up and try new flavor combinations like yogurt marinated chicken, cilantro chicken, and harissa chicken.
why you’ll love these chicken marinades
- Simple and delicious. That’s what these chicken marinades are all about. I’ve kept the ingredient list short and sweet so that you can easily whip them up with things that you probably already have in your pantry and fridge. And, they only take a few minutes to throw together.
- Versatile mix. No matter what you’re in the mood for, I’ve got you covered with these four chicken marinade recipes. Asian-inspired? Check. Classic flavor? You bet. Something from south of the border? Of course! Tangy and sweet? Absolutely!
- Healthy and flavorful. These chicken marinades are not only healthy, but they are packed with flavor. I’ve used fresh herbs, spices, and acids to really give the chicken a flavor boost. And, each marinade has its own unique flavor profile that will liven up any dish.
- Pairing sides is simple. Because these chicken marinades are so flavorful, they really don’t need much else. A simple side salad or some roasted vegetables is all you need to make a complete meal.
best chicken marinade recipes
Here are four of my favorite chicken marinades that I make often and are packed with flavor!
Lemon herb chicken marinade
- In addition to the chicken, you’ll need lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and olive oil.
- Place the marinade in the bowl with the chicken and combine until the chicken is well-coated.
- Place the marinated chicken in an oven-safe dish with its marinade and bake.
- Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken breast reaches a safe-to-consume level.
soy ginger chicken marinade
- Grab the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
- Place the marinade in the bowl with the chicken and combine until the chicken is well-coated.
- Heat oil in a large pan. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off the excess, and place it in the preheated pan.
- Cook the chicken on each side or until golden brown.
fajita chicken marinade
- You’ll need a neutral oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and paprika for this marinade.
- Place the marinade in the bowl with the chicken and combine until the chicken is well-coated.
- Preheat the grill and lightly brush with oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off the excess, and place it on the grill.
- Grill the chicken breast on each side, until a thermometer registers done.
honey mustard chicken marinade
- Pull out your whole grain mustard, honey, a neutral oil, garlic, salt, and paprika.
- Place the marinade in the bowl with the chicken and combine until the chicken is well-coated.
- Place the marinated chicken in an oven-safe dish with its marinade and bake.
- Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken breast reaches a safe-to-consume level.
How to marinate chicken
Marinating chicken is simple! Just place the chicken in a resealable bag or bowl and add the marinade. Make sure that the chicken is fully coated in the marinade, and then seal the bag or cover the bowl. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. Then, cook the chicken according to your recipe instructions.
how to cook the marinated chicken
- Bake.
- Pan fry.
- Grill.
- Air fry.
How to Freeze chicken in Marinade
- Place your ziplock bag flat on the counter and remove as much excess air as possible before sealing. Write the date and marinade type on the outside of the bag and place in the freezer until ready to cook.
customize your chicken marinade recipes
Let the creativity flow. Marinated chicken is one of the most versatile proteins to work with! Depending on which marinade you choose and how you decide to cook the chicken, you can make a variety of recipes with this technique. Here are some fun examples I like I make:
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs: Cube the chicken breasts before marinating in the zesty lemon herb seasoning, and then grill.
- Chicken and Veggie stir-fry: Cut the breasts into strips and marinate them in the soy-ginger marinade before cooking them off in a hot pan and adding vegetables.
- Chicken Panini: Pound the chicken breasts and marinate in the honey mustard before baking them and then sliding them in between some toasted bread with Swiss cheese.
- Shredded Chicken Tacos: Marinate the chicken breasts in the fajita seasoning, cook in the instant pot and then shred with two forks to add to tacos or taco bowls
Tips for marinating chicken
- Pound your chicken. For the juiciest, most tender chicken, butterfly your chicken breasts and pound them out, so they are an even thickness before marinating. Be sure to note that a thinner chicken breast will cook faster, and adjust cooking times accordingly!
- Let the chicken marinate for as long as possible. If possible, it’s always best to let the chicken marinate for at least four hours or overnight. This will allow the flavors to really penetrate the meat and give you the most flavor possible.
- Don’t forget to season! Just because there is a lot of flavor in the marinade doesn’t mean you shouldn’t season your chicken before cooking. A little bit of salt and pepper will help to bring out all the flavors in the dish.
- Experiment with flavors. There are endless possibilities when it comes to chicken marinades. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your perfect combination! (Who knows, dill pickle chicken might be the next big thing!)
- Bake chicken that has sugar content. For chicken marinades like the honey mustard marinated chicken, it’s a better idea to bake the chicken than to cook it on the stovetop so that it does not stick to the pan.
how to store & reheat chicken breast
Cooked chicken breast can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. To reheat, simply cook in the microwave or oven until heated through. Be careful not to overheat the chicken and dry it out.
how long will cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Cooked chicken breast will last in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through. Be careful not to overheat and dry out the chicken. And there you have it! Perfectly cooked, juicy, flavorful chicken breasts
can i freeze the raw chicken in a marinade?
Yes, you can freeze chicken breast in the marinade. You do want to be careful to avoid freezer burn with the excess liquid by making sure that your chicken is properly sealed and stored. The chicken will last for about 6 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Thighs are generally more flavorful and juicier than breasts, so they are a great option for marinating.
You can, it does help the marinade to penetrate the chicken more, but it’s not necessary.
Yes, you can! A lot of times, salad dressings can make for a quick and easy marinade. Especially vinaigrettes!
It’s not recommended to reuse marinade. Reusing a marinade can introduce bacteria into the food, so it’s best to make a fresh batch for each use. I know it’s hard throwing away the excess, but it’s better to be safe than to run to the restroom with an upset stomach.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to marinating chicken, so get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your perfect combination! And don’t forget, for recipes like the honey mustard marinated chicken, it’s a better idea to bake the chicken than to cook it on the stovetop so that it does not stick to the pan.
More easy chicken recipes:
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Shredded Chicken
- Tortilla Crusted Chicken
- Sautéed Chicken and Mushroom
- Roasted Balsamic Chicken
- Whole Roasted Rosemary Chicken
- Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli
- Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken
- Hummus Crusted Baked Chicken
- Pan Seared Honey Mustard Chicken
- Baked Pecan Chicken
If you try this any of these feel good Chicken Marinade Recipes or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Chicken Marinade Recipes
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast for each marinade
Soy Ginger
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Lemon Herb
Fajita
- ¼ cup neutral oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
Marinade The Chicken
- Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a mixing bowl, baking dish or resealable freezer bag. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Cover or seal tightly (if using a plastic resealable bag).
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 or, if desired, freeze for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
- Cook the chicken according to desired cooking technique.
To Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the marinated chicken in an oven-safe dish with its marinade and bake, basting with the marinade every 10 minutes, until a thermometer registers 165 degrees F, 20-30 minutes. Let the chicken rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.
To Grill
- To grill, preheat the grill over medium-high heat and lightly brush with oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off the excess, and grill for 7-8 minutes on each side, or until a thermometer registers 165 degrees. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Stovetop
- To cook on the stove, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off the excess, and place in the preheated pan. Cook the chicken for 7-8 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and a thermometer registers 165 degrees. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
I have made the lemon herb marinade twice and thought it was great. I just did the soy sauce one and it’s even better. The marinade wasn’t too salty, which was my first worry and I like how you didn’t list brown sugar. Thank you, Yumna. I have the fajita marinade in the freezer for the other half of the chicken. Can’t wait to try it.
Aww, so happy you liked both the lemon herb and soy ginger marinades!! I hope you enjoy the fajitas marinade too! Thank you!
I just watched you on Live with Kelly and Mark. You made your rosemary yogurt marinated chicken recipe and cole slaw. It’s not posted on their website yet. Where can I get the recipes for those two dishes?
Hi Maria, thank you for watching—I’m so happy you found me! You can find those recipes in my new cookbook: The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook
I tried the lemon herb twice so far and it was delicious every single time 😋 I have a question though, can I marinate the chicken without any oil if a neutral oil is not available? Is there a substitute? Thanks ♥️
Hi Marwa, great question! There really isn’t a substitute for oil in marinades. It helps carry fat-soluble flavors throughout the meat. But – as long as you’re using some kind of acid, like lemon juice, citrus, or vinegar you should still get a flavor piece of chicken even without the oil.
Thank you Yumna! Good to know that piece of info.
You’re so welcome!
This was so delicious.. I tried the Lemon Oregano marinate.. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G
Thank you, thank you! That makes me so, so happy to hear!
I tried 2 of the marinades, the fajita and the lemon herb and both were amazing! Very different, fresh, tasteful and very easy to make!
Thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear that!!
Hello Yumna,
I enjoy reading your e-mailed recipes and prepare in it.
I was wondering if you have marinade recipe go bourbon chicken, if so would you e-mail it to me please???
Sincerely,
Jackie
Thank you so much! I do not have a recipe for that, but I do have a ton of chicken marinade recipes on my website you can try, too!