How to Marinate Chicken
On March 21, 2025 (Updated April 22, 2025)
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Learn how to marinate chicken for the grill and smoker to unlock new depths of flavor and texture, all in this Hey Grill Hey how-to guide. Discover how to craft the perfect marinade for chicken, and how to use it to make something for the people you love.
Marinating Chicken
Mastering the art of marinating chicken is a total game-changer for your grilling skills. A great marinade not only infuses flavor but also helps keep your chicken juicy and tender. It’s like giving your chicken a flavor-packed spa day: tenderizing tougher cuts, locking in moisture, and adding bold, delicious taste to every bite.
Whether you’re working with budget-friendly cuts or premium poultry, the right chicken marinade can take your meal from good to absolutely mouthwatering. Prep drumsticks for a backyard cookout or give boneless breasts an extra punch of taste with a simple marinade. This guide breaks it all down. From what to use and how long to marinate, to how to make sure your chicken turns out perfect every time. Let’s get into it.
What tools do I need to make a marinade?
Before you start, let’s talk tools. The good news? You don’t need much. A gallon-sized zip-top bag or a shallow dish works perfectly for marinating. If your marinade has chunky ingredients (like fresh herbs or garlic), a blender or food processor helps you create a smooth consistency. Other than that, all you need is your fridge and a little patience.
The Best Chicken to Marinate
Chicken is super versatile, and marinating works for just about any cut. Here’s a quick breakdown of how different cuts benefit from marinating:
- Boneless, skinless breasts: These can dry out quickly, so a marinade helps add moisture and flavor.
- Thighs (boneless or bone-in): Naturally juicy and flavorful, but a good marinade takes grilled chicken thighs to the next level.
- Drumsticks & wings: Perfect for soaking up bold flavors and staying moist on the grill.
- Whole chicken: Spatchcocking (removing the backbone) helps it absorb the marinade evenly and cook more quickly.
How to Make a Marinade
A great marinade is all about balance. Here are the five key elements every marinade should have:
- Fat: Helps the marinade stick to the chicken and carries the flavors. Options include olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter.
- Acid: Breaks down the protein slightly, making the chicken more tender. Try vinegar, citrus juice (lemon, lime, or orange), or even yogurt.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing flavors into the meat. Use kosher salt, soy sauce, or even Worcestershire sauce.
- Aromatics: This is where you get creative! Fresh or dried herbs, garlic, onions, mustard, or even spicy elements like chili flakes or jalapeños.
- Sweetener: Helps with caramelization and balances the acidity. Honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar work great.
Once you understand these elements, you can mix and match ingredients to create a marinade that fits your taste preferences and cooking style.
How Long to Marinate Chicken
Timing matters! Marinate too little, and you won’t get much flavor. Too long, and the acid can start breaking down the meat too much. Here’s a quick guide:
- Less than 4 hours: If you’re in a hurry, or need a quick flavor boost for thinner cuts, you can go light on the marinade time.
- 4-8 hours: This window works ideally for boneless breasts and smaller cuts, adding deeper flavor without over-marinating.
- Overnight: When you got bone-in cuts like thighs, drumsticks, and wings that need time to allow the flavors to fully develop, I recommend going up to 24 hours.
- Over 24 hours: You want to avoid going longer than 24 hours or you can end up with mushy chicken.
Finding your preferred marinating time is just as important as the ingredients you use. Don’t be afraid to experiment so you can find what works best for you.
How to Marinate Chicken
Now that you’ve got the inside scoop on all things chicken marinade, it’s your turn to make one. Gather ingredients for a flavor profile you love with chicken, and let’s get started!
- Make the marinade. Before we get ahead of ourselves, make sure you’ve selected the best ingredients for your desired flavor results. Remember, you want ingredients that highlight the flavor of your chicken without overwhelming it. Once you’ve gathered your perfect marinade ingredients, add them all to a gallon zip-top bag. Seal it up, then gently massage the marinade into your chicken before tossing the bag in your fridge.
- Marinate the chicken. This part sounds easy, but it’s not. Yes, your marinade and refrigerator do all the heavy lifting, but you have to resist the urge of the aromas. Give your chicken 4-8 hours to marinate, or overnight if you have the time to prepare. Avoid going longer than 24 hours so your chicken stays plump and delicious.
- Remove, cook, and enjoy. After a flavor bath, remove your chicken from the marinade. Make sure you wipe off any excess marinade juice and ingredients with a paper towel so you avoid any potential flareups. At that point, grill, smoke, or bake your marinated chicken to tender, juicy perfection. Make sure to check out the Sides Section of the site for some easy side dishes to round out your meal.
Chicken Recipes Perfect for Marinating
You’re armed with all this marinating knowledge, and now, it’s time to put it to good use. Here are some of my favorite marinated chicken recipes to get you started:
In case you didn’t know, I’ve got even more marinade recipes, plus over 700 more BBQ recipes. You can find all of them in your Recipe Library, as well as the Hey Grill Hey App.
Even More on Marinating Chicken
Now that you know how to marinate chicken like a pro, I want to see your creations! Follow my Instagram and Facebook pages, snap a photo of your marinated chicken, and tag me with @heygrillhey. Your grilled masterpieces could inspire the next great BBQ meal!
For even more on marinating, check out my post on how to marinate steak. And don’t forget, I’ve got hundreds of how-to videos for marinades, smoked and grilled meats, and so much more on my YouTube channel. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you can see more awesome and helpful videos like this to help you become a Backyard BBQ Hero.
