The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
Best Chicken Marinade Recipe – Chicken recipes are always a crowd-pleaser. This easy chicken marinade comes together in minutes for juicy, tender chicken every time.
For years now, we’ve used a simple marinade that I quickly throw together for our grilled chicken. It uses ingredients that you’ll most likely have on hand. If not, I urge you to buy them the next time you are at the grocery store, along with your favorite cuts of chicken and make it! It makes the perfect chicken marinade! I think you’ll love it.
Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
A few years ago, we made grilled chicken legs using this marinade when my sister-in-law Karen, her husband Todd, and their three boys were on an RV trip with us. I knew that our son loved it and hoped that their boys would as well. We won’t even talk about how much chicken we got all of the kids to eat, let’s just say they loved it as much if not even more than I’d hoped!
In all seriousness, I’ve not fed anyone chicken made with this marinade that hasn’t loved it.
I originally just included this marinade recipe in with my grilled chicken legs recipe that I shared a long time ago. However, I have requests for it so often, I thought it deserved it’s own little spot in the world.
How to Make Chicken Marinade
For this chicken marinade, you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- Cumin
- paprika
- cayenne
- garlic
- onion
- fresh parsley
- beer, ginger ale, apple cider, or apple juice
I rarely cook with beer, but it definitely adds something to this chicken. For the beer, I would recommend using whatever beer you prefer. I usually use Corona or Yeungling, but any beer that you prefer will work. If you can’t use beer or prefer not to, I’ve included a couple of other options that I’ve tested in the recipe below for you.
- Ginger Ale
- Apple Cider
- Apple Juice
Stir. Stir together all of the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
Pour. Pour the marinade over the chicken in a large zip top or other airtight container. If using a zip top bag, press as much air as possible out of the bag as you seal.
Chill. Make sure that all of the chicken is well coated with the marinade. Arrange in the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour.
How Long to Marinate Chicken:
- At least 1 hour
- No longer than 2 days
If I’m using a ziptop bag, I place it on a half sheet pan in the refrigerator for at least an hour, but hopefully overnight so the chicken has plenty of time to soak up all that goodness.
Every few hours, I’ll turn the bag from one side over to the other to keep the chicken coated with the marinade.
Can I Freeze Chicken in this Marinade:
Package. Place chicken into freezer-safe container and pour over the marinade. Make sure that all of the chicken is well coated. Remove as much air as possible as you’re seal. Label the container with the contents and date.
Freeze. Arrange in the freezer so that the container is as flat as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw. Remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Cook the chicken according to your favorite chicken recipe.
What Chicken Recipes Can I Use this Marinade?
You can use this marinade recipe with your favorite chicken recipes! We love it for our grilled chicken as well as for our simple baked chicken!
Here’s The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!
The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 3 tablespoons chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 cups beer, ginger ale, apple cider, or apple juice
Instructions
- Pour olive oil into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup.
- Mix together salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper and add to olive oil. Add garlic, onions, and parsley. Mix together well with a fork. Slowly add beer as it will cause the mixture to foam and bubble slightly.
- Pour marinade over the chicken in the zip top bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag and seal. Turn the bag from side to side to make sure all chicken has been coated with the marinade.
- Place the bag flat on a small, rimmed kitchen sheet pan and into the refrigerator. Allow to sit up to 1 hour or overnight for best results, turning the bag over every few hours to keep the chicken coated.
Notes
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2012.
ThIs was so good, my 9 year old raved about it to Grandma! I cook a lot so she’s not very picky but this chicken she loved. Used Founders Lager, and have a second dinner marinating now with ginger ale for tonight. Question, though, when you grill have you added BBQ sauce too? I didn’t but was wondering if it would be good or not? And, leftovers were dry, daughter didn’t like so I reserved some marinade this morning to use on leftovers heating.
Hi Denise,
I’m so happy you and your daughter enjoyed this! It’s one of our family favorites! I’ve not used it and added other bbq sauce just because we love the flavor the marinade gives it. Thanks so much! xo
i ran out of olive oil, can i use regular vegetable oil? I have all the other ingredients. thanks
You can, Karen. Enjoy it! xo
If beer (alcohol) isn’t an option, what you recommend to replace it?
Hi Holly,
I give a couple of substitutions in the recipe notes that have worked well for me – ginger ale or apple cider (not apple cider vinegar).
Hey Robyn, in substitution of the beer can I use soya sauce.
I’ve not tried that Veli. I do list substitutes in the recipe that work well instead of beer. Thanks!
Hey Robyn, in substitution for beer can use soya sauce as well?
The recipe sounds delicious. Thanks. The apple cider version appeals to me. I love barbecued foods, but at age 56, I now love quickly and easy more! So I don’t have a grill. I used to cook all my chicken recipes by baking chicken thighs in a 9×9 pan half way through, pouring off the fat/juices, then pouring on a homemade sauce or marinade recipe directly into the pan, over thea chicken. Then finish baking it and serving over Brown rice with a green vegetable. Saves the time and steps of marinating in a bag. The only problem was having to clean the oven! Due to back pain, I need to make cooking even easier and faster, so now I microwave the chicken thighs in a covered Corningware casserole, pour off the grease, then pour a marinade over the chicken and microwave a few more minutes. It comes out so moist and delicious. From the time I open the chicken package and remove the chicken with a fork into the casserole dish, until done, it’s 15 – 20 minutes, and only a fork and the casserole dish to wash. Plus the rice/veg pot, and my plate and utensils.
I’m going to try your marinade. I bet it will be delicious. Thank you.
Hope you enjoy the marinade, Alice! xo
What can I serve this with? Can you recommend an easy side dish preferably either bread or rice related?
Hi Alina,
We love this with all types of sides from green house salads, Coleslaw, Southern Potato Salad, Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes, Southern Baked Beans and more. For rice, an easy side dish could be my Instant Pot Brown Rice. Really any favorite side dish you’d enjoy when you grill out or with grilled chicken will be delicious!
Here is a link to my Side Dish Recipes if you would like to look around further for some more ideas! Enjoy! xo
I’ve made your recipe 3 times now. Seems to work well with whatever I pop open 😊. So far Hard Cider, belgain ale, and tonight sprite! Awesome every time. Thanks
This is so great to hear, Geoff! I’m so happy you enjoy it too!
can you freeze this for around 2 months, chicken and all the marinade together
Sure! Hope you enjoy it! Thanks!
Absolutely w/o a doubt, the best Grilled Chicken Marinade I’ve ever tried! I allowed the chicken to marinade a Min of 8hrs. The seasoning was flat out perfect! This will always be my GO TO MARINDE for Grilled Chicken!!!
Thx a lot,
Gerald
Happy to know you enjoy it Gerald! Thanks!
I added 2 bay leaves to the marinade, and used some fancy apple juice from Kroger. This recipe is excellent. I definitely thought I had overcooked the chicken because I was trying to do too much at once but this recipe made the chicken so forgiving and tender. My girlfriend said it is her favorite!
I’m going to experiment with different combos of apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and sparkling or hard apple cider and I will report back.
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoy the marinade, Nate! Thanks!
Hi, when you say chopped onion, do you mean an actual onion chopped up? Or would it be minced onion or onion powder that you get in the spice aisle?
Thank you
Hi Tim,
I use a chopped onion, but you can absolutely substitute with minced onion or onion powder if you like.
Hi. Just realized after pouring apple cider vinegar that it’s not what you meant…. what now? 🙁
Hi Tumi,
If you can start over before adding to your chicken, I would do that. I’m not sure of the results using apple cider vinegar. I do use apple cider sometimes instead of the beer. Hope this helps. Thanks!
Excellent good tasting everyone enjoyed easy to make
I made this marinade tonight and marinated the chicken strips in it for an hour. It was delicious but overnight would have been even better!
I’m happy you enjoyed this, Kay! You are so right – I can’t wait until you try after marinating overnight….so good! Thanks! xo
I use this recipe for my chicken pieces I use in my chicken wraps – the best ever. Making some tonight for Friday night wraps 😁
I’m so happy you enjoy it, Helen! Now I’m craving some wraps! 🙂 Thanks!
Simple and yummy
Wonderful recipe Robyn, your marinade is simple and fun to make. I’m 63 years old and really enjoy grilling year round. While looking for a new marinade to try I saw yours and I must say I’m very glad I did, it’s so delicious! I have made this recipe lots of times and wanted to thank you for sharing it. My family and friends never turn down a cookout invite when I tell them it’s chicken:-)
You are so sweet to leave this comment, Patricia! I’m so happy you enjoy it – and so tickled to have you here! Thanks! xo
Hi,
Do you think a beer with lime in it would be good or would the flavors clash?
Hi Kristen,
I’ve not tried a flavored beer in this recipe before. Thanks!
Could you bake this recipe? I need to get around 8 whole chickens done that will be served rewarmed so grilling isn’t really an option
Sure! I use this for chicken cooked on my stovetop and in my oven all the time. So delicious!
Thank you for posting. Family challenged me to do grilled chicken breast strips for wraps through the week. This recipe is a hit, alcohol cooks off of course but what it does for the flavour…! I use a potent Craft India Pale Ale to help penetrate the meat. Grilled over charcoal, it’s amazing. 🍻
Must add I’ve started using cilantro instead of parsley and a snap of fresh lemon juice or lemon pepper seasoning, so yummy. 🍻
I am making this recipe today, but not grilling it how long would i need to bake it for and what temperature please ?
thank you.
I made this grilled chicken last night.. It was the BEST chicken I have ever tried… I ran out of beer at home, so I skipped that ingredient… My husband and son just loved it & have asked me to make this again next week! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. Wish you all the best!
I’m so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed this, Tanisha! Thanks so much for the kind comment! xo
Can l use wine or whisky
I’ve not used either of those in this recipe before. I do give substitutes at the end of the recipe if you don’t want to use beer. Enjoy the marinade! Thanks!
Hi,I don’t have a grill but I would love to bake it using your marinade recipe.
Any idea,How would I bake it in the oven?
Thanks!
It’s so delicious baked in the oven too! Enjoy, Carlett! xo
Do I grill it without the marinade or in a aluminum container
Hi Helen,
Just remove the chicken from your marinade and grill as usual. Enjoy!
Can I freeze this with the marinade?
My recipe is enough marinade for 5 pounds of chicken. You can use my Conversion Chart if you wish. Thanks!
Yep. good. Really good.
Thanks so much, Davor!
So simple and awesome, made it for a homely get together and everyone loved it, including the kids.
Thanks so much! xo
This marinade was absolutely delicious!! We only were able to marinade the chicken for probably 3-4 hours and it came out delicious! My thoughts on this recipe is that you should patent it and then dry your onions and garlic, add the other dry ingredients and market it. All you would need to do is add the olive oil and beer! I know fresh is best, but if you are in a hurry, you could use this in a ‘PINCH’!!😘
Thanks so much, Cindy! xo
Have this marinating in the fridge! I’ve used chicken fillets instead. Can I cook it in the sauce in the oven??… I’m going to serve with fluffy rice.
Hi Claire,
I hope you enjoy it! I don’t cook it in the marinade. Thanks! xo
I have my chicken in your marinade for tonight’s dinner. I was wondering if you have ever tried putting honey or maple syrup in your marinade? I almost did it but wanted to try your exact recipe the first time at least. Just curious. Can’t wait to eat the chicken tonight.
Thanks!
I am excited you are giving this recipe a try, Carla! It’s a definite favorite in our house! I always make it according to my recipe and have fantastic results. I hope you enjoy it too! xo
Crazy question but I am wondering if I’m misreading. That seems like a very small amount of spices/seasoning in a large amount of liquid. I’m not a very experienced cooker- am I nuts?
We think it is perfectly balanced and packs just the right amount of flavor in the marinade.
Sounds good – I didn’t mean any disrespect. If you were going to sub onion powder for the diced onions, do you have an amount you’d recommend?
Hi, would it taste good too if I added lemon or lime juice ?
What do you do with the leftover marinade?
Hi Robyn,
Thank you for posting this! I added this marinade to a double match of wings, and I can’t wait to cook them tonight for dinner! They’ve been marinating since yesterday at 6pm.
Question, and I may have just missed it, do you have a specific grill temp range to cook these at?
This recipe is amazing! I’ve made it tons of times. Sometimes I also add cilantro/lime/chili powder/chopped jalapeno. I almost always add citrus – lemon or lime. Add any beer that has been sitting in your fridge!
When prepping all the products for it I’ll often double/triple the recipe and toss and freeze until a later date. It works really well.
10/10 recommend!
Wonderful to hear how much you enjoy this, Jessica! It’s a favorite in our house as well! Thanks so much! xo
I didn’t have beer, so I substituted beer for apple juice and apple cider vinegar. Delicious!!
Quick question, how long does the marinade last in the fridge? If I was to save it?
Kids can eat with the beer marinade ?
Hi Jackie,
The alcohol from the beer cooks off when cooking the chicken, but if you’d rather not use beer, I give other substitutes you can use. All make this delicious – hope you enjoy it! xo
Super tasty. Will be making again. Only had time to marinate for 3 hours but It still was tasty.
So glad you liked the marinade, Sarah! xo
Great Recipe! I didn’t see it mentioned……Is this done OK in the OVEN. If so …what Temp and Time?
You can absolutely use this chicken marinade for chicken cooked in the oven. You’ll just want to follow your favorite chicken recipe for chicken in the oven. We love it with my simple baked chicken recipe.
Did you cook this in the oven?
You can if you wish, Rosanne. It’s delicious grilled or in oven. Enjoy! xo
Regarding the chicken marinade, will it work on skinless chicken? On skinless and boneless?
Thank u!
I love every recipe of yours I have tried and I have tried a bunch. I have looked, but I cannot find an app for Add A Pinch. I would like to have your recipes in one place and not have to save to PinIt. I lose track of them and spend too much time trying to remember where I saved it.
At what temperature and how long should it bake/grill.
Hi Marypat,
After following the chicken marinade recipe and instructions, you can then grill as you normally grill your chicken.
If you decide to bake the chicken, you can certainly do so after using this marinade. My Simple Chicken Breast recipe instructions will tell you how long and what temp to bake it. But if you use this to bake the chicken breasts after using the marinade recipe, don’t add the ingredients (olive oil, salt, pepper, etc) from the Simple Baked Chicken Breasts recipe – just use the time and temp.
I hope you enjoy the marinade! It’s so delicious! Thanks! xo
will this marinade work on fried chicken? have you tried it out?
Hi Job,
I have not tried this marinade on fried chicken but it sounds good. If you try it, let me know how it works for you. Thanks.
Made it tonight exactly as written, but with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice – right off our tree – instead of apple juice. Added a little sugar to offset the tangy grapefruit. Whole family loved it! Great recipe – thank you!!
Hi Momica,
How lucky you are to have the trees to just pick your own! It sounds great with the fresh grapefruit.
I don’t have any beer but I do have diet ginger ale… could I use that and have the recipe still come out right?
Yes, Naz, the recipe should work just fine with the diet ginger ale. Hope you enjoy it!