This flavor-packed Chicken Marinade does all the work so you don’t have to!
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Marinating chicken is one of the easiest ways to impress someone with your culinary skills. Why? Well, because it’s easy. When I was new to this whole cooking thing, I learned quickly that marinating meat is a surefire hit for family and friends. This particular chicken marinade combines a list of ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen cupboards. I’d wager you’ll be able to enjoy this dish tonight!
What I like about this marinade recipe is that it’s a perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and tang, resulting in a succulently savory flavor. It’s versatile and easy to prepare, making it a favorite for both weeknight dinners and weekend barbecues. You can grill it, bake it, or pan-fry it. Whatever you prefer, it’s gonna taste great. For more chicken recipes, check out our tomato grilled Moroccan chicken with yogurt mint sauce and Indian chicken kebabs.
Is This Chicken Marinade Healthy?
This chicken marinade is quite healthy. Olive oil provides healthy fats, while balsamic vinegar and lemon juice add antioxidants and even a little vitamin C. There’s not a ton of salt either, thanks to the low-sodium soy sauce. There is ¾ cup of brown sugar, but considering this marinade is for 6 whole chicken breasts, I’d argue that’s not a huge amount per serving. However, feel free to substitute the brown sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
Pounding your chicken and why it’s helpful
Pounding your chicken isn’t always necessary, especially if you’re marinating overnight. After all, the marinating process helps tenderize the meat. That being said, pounding your chicken does more than tenderize. It evens the thickness, which ensures the breasts cook more evenly. What’s more, a uniformly thin breast absorbs the marinade better, allowing the flavors to deeply seep into the fibers of the meat. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 6 chicken breasts
INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk
Combine ingredients and set aside some for basting.
Marinate
Massage marinade into the chicken and refrigerate.
Rest
Allow chicken to marinate for optimal flavor infusion.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
You can prepare the marinade up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. And, as the recipe states, marinated chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Any more than that and your chicken will get mushy. Cooked chicken should be left to cook then wrapped in aluminum foil or placed in an airtight container. It can then go in the fridge where it will last for up to four days. Reheat it in a pan or in the oven; just ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Absolutely! This marinade works really well with chicken thighs. In fact, the thighs cook incredibly well with this marinade because it’s a fatter cut of meat. By the way, other meats like pork, beef, and even fish taste delicious with this marinade. Just be sure to adjust the marination time. Fish especially requires less time to marinate.
To prevent sticking, ensure your grill or pan is well oiled and preheated before placing the chicken on it. Also, avoid flipping the chicken too early. Let it sear so you get a nice crust!
Serving Suggestions
This marinated chicken pairs with a variety of sides. Serve it with roasted brussels sprouts and asparagus or a fresh Mediterranean quinoa salad. Sauteed broccolini is another quick and easy side, and these roasted mini potatoes are a real crowd pleaser, too. Really, anything from salads to pastas goes with this marinated chicken. This recipe is as versatile as they come.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 6 chicken breasts
Instructions
- Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, dried rosemary, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for later use.
- Place the chicken breasts in a resealable bag and pour the remaining marinade over them. Seal the bag after massaging the marinade into the chicken to ensure it’s evenly coated.
- Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. For best results, aim for a marination time of 4 to 6 hours.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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