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Marinating Chicken: A Step-By-Step Guide
Whether you’re a new cook or just looking for exciting new ways to prepare chicken, marinating is a great way to add flavor and juicy tenderness to this popular protein. By following these easy steps, you’ll be sure to impress your family and friends the next time you serve chicken.
1. Choose the Marinade
Whether you prefer something savory, like teriyaki, or something zesty, like lemon and garlic, the right marinade adds an irresistible flavor to chicken. Consider the meal you’re serving — a teriyaki marinade complements a sushi-style dinner, while a lemon-and-garlic combo pairs perfectly with a Mediterranean-inspired feast. Choose a marinade that’s right for you.
2. Assemble Your Ingredients
Prepare a marinade according to the recipe you chose, gathering common ingredients like oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs. For a quick and easy marinating experience, pick up a pre-made marinade mix or bottle from the store.
3. Prepare the Chicken
Try not to overcrowd the chicken in the marinade. For best results, use a shallow dish so that all sides of the chicken get plenty of marinade coverage. If you’re using chicken breasts, make sure to cover any thick areas of meat with the marinade.
4. Marinate
The ideal marinating time depends on the recipe. Generally, chicken needs between one to two hours of marinating time — anything longer than that can lead to soggy, overcooked chicken. Consider how hungry you are — the longer your chicken marinates, the juicier it will be!
5. Cook!
Yes, the time has come to put all that marinating to good use! Grill, bake, roast, or sauté the chicken according to the accompanying recipe. Enjoy the mouthwatering flavor of homemade marinated chicken.
4 Mouthwatering Recipes
1. Honey Mustard-Lemon Marinated Chicken
- ½ cup honey mustard
- ¼ cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2. Teriyaki Marinade
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin (rice wine)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3. Yogurt-Cumin Marinated Chicken
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons minced onion
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4. Mediterranean Marinated Chicken
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons rosemary
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts