6 Easy Ways To Marinate Chicken Breast

If you are tired of eating plain, tasteless chicken breasts, then you will love these 6 easy ways to marinate them. With just a few simple, flavorful ingredients you can transition your boring chicken into something that tastes amazing.

Making your own marinades at home is one of the best ways to add flavor to plain chicken without much effort. It’s also a great way to stretch your grocery budget – especially when you buy a family pack of chicken breasts and prepare freezer meals for two.

When you’re cooking for two, buying a large pack of chicken breasts can see like too much. But it’s definitely more economical than buying smaller portions.

A typical family pack has around 5 to 6 large chicken breasts. These pieces are usually thick, so you can double the amount by slicing each chicken breast in half horizontally.

To do this, lay the chicken flat on a cutting board and carefully hold it in place with one hand while using a sharp knife to slice it evenly from one side to the other. Now you’ll have 10 to 12 thinner chicken cutlets that cook more quickly and evenly.

Chicken Marinade Using Basic Ingredients

Once your chicken is portioned, marinating is the next step. While store-bought marinades are convenient, they often contain preservatives, excess salt, and added sugar. Making your own marinade gives you control over the ingredients, plus it saves money.

All the marinades below use pantry staples like olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, soy sauce, mustard, vinegar, and dried spices. You can make them in just a few minutes.

These six chicken marinades are perfect for baking the chicken in the oven or cooking it on the grill. You can also cook the marinated chicken in a slow cooker or Instant Pot depending on what you have on hand. Best of all – you can store the chicken and marinade in the freezer so you have a quick main dish ready to go whenever you need one.

6 Best Ways To Marinate Chicken Breast

1. Garlic Herb Chicken Marinade

This one is a classic and goes well with just about any side dish.

Ingredients: Olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper

Mix together ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, thyme, and parsley. Then add salt and pepper to taste. This marinade works well when you bake or grill the chicken.

Cooking Tip: Bake at 400°F for 20 to 22 minutes, or grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side until the chicken reaches 165°F.

2. Honey Mustard Marinade

A little sweet, a little tangy, and tastes great with vegetables or on a sandwich.

Ingredients: Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, pepper

In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and then add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Then let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.

Try This: Slice leftovers and then add them to a salad or serve them cold as an easy lunch the next day.

3. Soy Ginger Chicken Marinade

Marinate chicken breasts for a simple stir fry or Asian-inspired meal.

Ingredients: Soy sauce, fresh or ground ginger, garlic, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil

Combine ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger), 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. This marinade adds bold flavor and works well in the oven or on the grill.

Slow Cooker Option: Add the chicken breast and a splash of broth to the slow cooker and then cook on low for 4 hours.

4. Lemon Pepper Marinade

This one is light, zesty, and easy to pair with pasta or potatoes.

Ingredients: Lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, black pepper, dried basil or Italian seasoning

Use 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon dried basil or Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the marinade and then let it soak for 1 to 2 hours for the best flavor.

Grill Tip: Cook over medium heat to prevent burning from the citrus.

*If you like the freshness of lemon in your marinade, be sure to try my Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast recipe too!

5. BBQ Ranch Chicken Marinade

Great for a backyard dinner or meal prep sandwiches.

Ingredients: BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper

Mix together ¼ cup BBQ sauce and ¼ cup ranch dressing with ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder. Then add black pepper to taste. The flavors are simple and familiar, making it an easy weeknight meal.

Instant Pot Option: Add the marinated chicken and ½ cup water or broth. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Natural pressure release for 5 minutes then carefully turn the valve to vent the remaining pressure.

6. Balsamic Chicken Marinade

Perfect for pairing with roasted vegetables or in a grain bowl.

Ingredients: Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, dried rosemary, Dijon mustard, salt

Whisk together ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, and a pinch of salt. The vinegar tenderizes the chicken and also gives it a rich flavor.

Serving Tip: Try this chicken sliced over rice or pasta with roasted veggies.

How to Cook Marinated Chicken Breasts

Oven: Preheat to 400°F. Place marinated chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature is 165°F.

Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Then cook the chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Flip once and avoid pressing down to keep it juicy.

Slow Cooker: Place chicken and marinade in the slow cooker. Add a little broth if needed. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.

Instant Pot: Add chicken with marinade and ½ cup of water or broth. Then turn the valve to sealing and cook on high pressure for 8 to 10 minutes. Natural pressure release for 5 minutes then carefully turn the valve to vent the remaining pressure.

Storing and Freezing Leftover Chicken

Store cooked marinated chicken in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. Then you can reheat it in the microwave, oven, or on the stove.

To freeze cooked chicken, let it cool completely. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer bag. It will keep well for up to 3 months.

Freezing Chicken in the Marinade

One of the easiest meal prep methods is to marinate and freeze the chicken breasts. Place one or two chicken cutlets into a freezer bag and marinate them with your preferred flavor.

Then label the bag with what you used and the date. Once you seal the bag freeze flat to save space. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the bag overnight in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water.

This method works great when you buy a family pack of chicken and want to split it into smaller meals. .

Making your own chicken marinades is a simple way to prepare flavorful freezer meals using budget-friendly ingredients. It’s easy to bake or grill the chicken once it’s thawed.

Whether you’re cooking for two or planning ahead, these six easy marinades give you plenty of variety. i highly suggest keeping a few frozen portions in the freezer so dinner is ready to bake whenever you need it.

Enjoy! Mary

Follow My Facebook Page For Great Recipes For Two! I Cook For Two Facebook Page

To receive FREE recipes delivered directly to your email, be sure to sign up for the iCookfortwo newsletter. A sign up form is located in the middle of this article. If you have any questions, comments, or want to submit an idea for a recipe for two, feel free to email at mary@icookfortwo.com