Chicken Marinade Recipes

MARINATING AND FREEZING CHICKEN

This marinade works great for other proteins as well. The recipes are written works for 1-1.5 pounds of chicken breasts, but you could swap for the following:

• boneless chicken thighs (2-24 hours marinating time)
• shrimp or fish (30 minutes marinating time)
• pork tenderloin (at least 24 hours to marinate)
• tofu- press first (then marinate for 2-24 hours)

How to Marinate Chicken:

1. Combine ingredients in the bag and mix well.
2. Add chicken breasts and move the bag around to ensure even coverage of the chicken breasts in the marinade. 
3. Use plastic ½ gallon bag for 1 lb (2 chicken breasts)
4. Use plastic gallon bag for 2 lbs (4 chicken breasts)
5. Marinate in fridge for at least 2 hours before cooking.
6. If you are not cooking your chicken breast within 24 hours, pop the bag into the freezer! Follow directions below.

How to freeze chicken in a marinade:

1. Label bags with name, date, and cooking instructions (see under How To Cook Chicken section).
2. Prepare chicken and marinade in bag as you normally would in steps 1-4 under How to Marinate Chicken section.
3. Squeeze as much air out of the bag, then place in the freezer.
4. Freeze for up to 3 months.

How to cook chicken:

1. To thaw frozen chicken marinades- thaw 24 hours in the fridge or immerse bag in a bowl of cold water (place a heavy item on top to submerge bag) and let sit for 2 hours. Thaw completely before cooking. As the chicken thaws, it absorbs so much flavor.

Slow cooker: Add chicken and marinade to slow cooker/crockpot. Ad ½ cup of water or chicken stock/broth. Turn on low for 3-4 hours. Add chopped veggies if desired.

Instant Pot: Add chicken, marinade and 1 cup of water or chicken stock/broth to your Instant Pot. Close the lid and turn to high pressure for 15 minutes and allow for natural pressure release.

Oven: Heat oven to 425F. Arrange chicken with marinade liquid in 8×8 baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway. Be sure chicken reaches 165F.

Grill: heat grill to medium high heat. Grease grill then shake off excess marinade and place chicken over direct heat. Grill with lid down for 8 minutes. Flip every 2 minutes.

*Cooked chicken may be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Marinade Recipes

Multiply recipe for every pound of chicken breast you have.

Mexican Chicken Marinade

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of one lime
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper

Sesame Ginger Marinade

• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger about 1/2 inch
• 3 green onions sliced
• 1 clove garlic minced

Fajita Lime Marinade

• 1.5 Tablespoons fajita seasoning 
• 3 Tablespoons lime juice
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon minced cilantro 

 

Spicy Mango Marinade

• 1 mango pureed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno
• 1 tablespoon lime juice squeezed from about 1/2 lime
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Cilantro Lime Marinade

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lime (2 tbsp)
• 1.5 tablespoons honey
• ½ cup cilantro leaves chopped
• 2 clove garlic minced (1 tsp)
• Sea salt to taste

Honey Garlic Marinade

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (I prefer reduced sodium)
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ¼ cup water

Honey Mustard Marinade

• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 tablespoons whole grain mustard
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon pepper

Coconut Curry Marinade

• 1/2 can full fat coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 lime
• Sea salt to taste

Lemon Ginger Marinade

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flake
• Salt to taste

Chipotle Chicken Marinade

• 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