These two chicken marinade recipes will result in tender, juicy, and flavorful baked chicken. With the right ingredients and preparation, you’ll be enjoying delicious chicken in no time.
All about Marinades
Marinating is a type of food preparation that involves soaking meat, fish, or vegetables in a flavorful liquid mixture before cooking. Marinades often contain acidic ingredients, such as vinegar, citrus juice, wine, or yogurt, that break down the tough outer layer of proteins and help to tenderize the food. Marinades also include spices, herbs, and other flavorings like garlic or soy sauce that add flavor complexity to the finished dish.
When using a marinade on chicken, it is important to allow sufficient time for the flavors to penetrate into the inner layers of the food. As a general rule, it is best to let your marinating chicken sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour up to overnight. The proteins in the food will absorb the flavorings during this time.
These recipes are for two different marinades. One is a citrus and herb marinade, and the other is a sweet and salty marinade. Choose your favorite one or prepare both to see which one you like better. Either way, marinating is a great way to add complex layers of flavor to any chicken you prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Chicken Marinade 2 Ways
Chicken thighs
For the lemon, garlic, & herb marinade:
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Dried oregano
- Italian herb mix
- Juice of one lemon
- Garlic cloves
For the honey & soy sauce marinade:
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Chili flakes
- Thumb of fresh ginger
- Garlic cloves
How to Make Lemon, Garlic, & Herb Chicken Marinade
- Mince the garlic cloves into a medium-sized bowl. Add the olive oil, salt, black pepper, Italian herb mix, oregano, and lemon juice. Mix with a fork until well combined.
- Put the chicken thighs in the bowl and coat each thigh with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Line a baking tray with oven paper and preheat the oven to 395 degrees F. Lay the chicken on the paper and cook for 30 minutes, turning the chicken thighs mid cooking.
How to Make Honey & Soy Sauce Marinade
- Grate the ginger and garlic cloves into a medium-sized bowl. Add the soy sauce, honey, and chili flakes. Mix well until the honey has dissolved a bit.
- Put the chicken thighs in the bowl and coat each thigh with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Line a baking tray with oven paper and preheat the oven to 395 degrees F. Lay the chicken on the paper and cook for 30 minutes, turning the chicken thighs mid cooking.
Tips and Variations for Chicken Marinade
There are a few key tips to keep in mind when making the best chicken marinades.
- Make sure to cover all sides of the chicken with the marinade. If you are using plastic storage bags or a container, turn the chicken over a few times so that each side gets an even coating of marinade.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour up to overnight. The longer it marinates, the more intense flavor it will have. But don’t leave it in too long or the meat will become too tender and may not hold together well when cooked.
- Be sure to discard any leftover marinade after you’ve finished marinating your chicken. This is important for food safety reasons because raw chicken can contaminate other foods if handled incorrectly. And any remaining marinade should never be used as a sauce once it has come into contact with raw meats.
- Try the marinades on other cuts of chicken, such as the breasts or wings. They are also great for turkey.
- Cook the chicken in the air fryer or a pan with a lid if desired.
- Add different herbs and spices for extra flavor – think garlic, rosemary, cumin, oregano, and paprika.
Chicken Marinade FAQs
How will I know when the chicken thighs are finished cooking?
The chicken thighs are finished cooking when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the thigh. The outside should be golden brown, and you may see clear juices running from the center.
How do I store leftovers of cooked chicken?
You can store leftovers of the cooked chicken thighs in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze the marinating chicken?
The chicken can be stored in plastic freezer bags in the freezer with the marinade sauce for up to 3 months. When you are ready to cook the chicken, allow it thaw in the fridge first.
Other Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken with Maple BBQ Rub
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Bottom Line
Making chicken marinade is an easy way to prepare chicken that stays juicy and tender when cooked. The lemon, garlic, & herb chicken marinade and honey & soy sauce marinade are two recipes that you can try for yourself tonight.
Chicken Marinade 2 Ways
Learn how to make these two different chicken marinades that result in super tender, juicy, and flavorful baked chicken!
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs
Marinade 1: Lemon, garlic, and herbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- Juice of one lemon
- 2 garlic cloves
Marinade 2: Honey and soy sauce
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons chili flakes (or to taste)
- 1 thumb of fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
Instructions
Prep the marinade 1:
- In a medium-sized bowl add the olive oil, salt, black pepper, Italian herbs mix, oregano, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Mix with a fork until well combined.
Prep the marinade 2:
- In a medium-sized bowl add the sauce, honey, and chili flakes, and grate the ginger and garlic cloves. Mix well until well combined and the honey has dissolved a bit.
- Put the chicken in the desired marinade bowl and make sure each piece is well coated. Cover in plastic wrap and let sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Prep a baking tray with oven paper and preheat the oven to 394 F. Lay the chicken on top and cook for 300 minutes turning the chicken thighs mid-cooking.
Notes
These two marinade sauces can be used with other parts of the chicken like breasts or wings. These two marinades are also very good for turkey.
Once marinated the chicken can be made in the oven or in the air fryer, even in a pan with a lid. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in a sealed container.
Alternatively, the chicken can be marinated in Ziplock bags and stored in the freezer with the marinade sauce for up to 3 months. Once ready to use let thaw in the fridge.
