The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
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The Best Chicken Marinade recipe is easy, delicious, and comes together in minutes for the best grilled chicken and baked chicken you’ve ever tasted!
We’ve used this simple yet scrumptious chicken marinade for many years, especially when making grilled chicken (and my son’s favorite grilled chicken legs). It is quick to make and uses common ingredients that you most likely have on hand. But the beauty of this recipe is that it is just as delicious as a marinade for baked chicken, so there’s no need to save this only for warm weather grilling season!
Use this chicken marinade recipe year-round on your favorite cuts of chicken, and enjoy! It makes the perfect marinade and results in some of the most juicy, delicious, and flavorful chicken ever! Everyone always loves the chicken I’ve marinated with this. I think you will enjoy it too!
How to Make the BEST Chicken Marinade
I originally just included this marinade recipe with my grilled chicken legs recipe many years ago. Since this recipe was requested so often, I thought it only fitting that the BEST Chicken Marinade got its own spot in the world. Here’s how you make it.
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
Ingredients
This marinade recipe works best for about 5 pounds of chicken. To make this delicious marinade, you’ll need the following:
- Olive oil – Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil
- Spices – salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and cayenne
- Garlic – fresh garlic cloves, chopped
- Onion – chopped
- Fresh parsley – chopped
- Beer – Use the beer of your choice. If you don’t want to use beer, you can substitute ginger ale, apple cider (not apple cider vinegar), or apple juice.
I rarely cook with beer, but it definitely adds something to this chicken. Use whichever brand you prefer – I usually use Corona or Yeungling, but any beer will work. If you can’t use beer or prefer not to, one of the substitutes listed taste delicious as well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine the ingredients. In a medium to large-sized mixing bowl, stir together all of the spices with the olive oil. Mix in the chopped onion, garlic, and fresh parsley. Slowly pour in the beer (or substitute if using one), as it may foam over if poured too quickly. Mix all ingredients together until combined.
Pour mixture over chicken. Place the chicken you plan to marinate in either a large, sturdy zip-top bag or another airtight container. Pour the marinade over the chicken in your zip bag or container. If using a zip-top bag, press as much air as possible out of the bag as you seal it.
Chill the marinade-covered chicken. If using a zip-top bag, place it on a baking sheet. If in a container, make sure the lid is secure and airtight. Make sure that all of the chicken is well coated with the marinade and place in the refrigerator to chill.
How Long to Marinate Chicken in Refrigerator:
- At least 1 hour
- Preferably overnight for best results
- No longer than 2 days
Every few hours, turn the bag from one side over to the other to keep the chicken coated with the marinade.
Freezer Instructions for Chicken in Marinade
You can freeze the raw chicken in this marinade. Here are the steps.
Package in a freezer-safe container. Place the chicken into a freezer-safe container and pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure all of the raw chicken is well coated. Remove as much air as possible as you seal the container. If using a zip-top bag, place the bag on a baking sheet to freeze. Label the container with the contents and date.
Freeze chicken with marinade. Place the container in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw, then cook as desired. Remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. After the chicken is thawed, then remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Then cook the chicken according to your favorite chicken recipe.
What Chicken Recipes Can I Use With This Marinade?
You can use this recipe with many of your favorite chicken recipes! We love it for our grilled chicken as well as for our simple baked chicken!
More Delicious Marinades and Sauces
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 ground 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
Freezer Instructions
You can freeze the raw chicken in this marinade. Here are the steps. Package in a freezer-safe container. Place the chicken into a freezer-safe container and pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure all of the raw chicken is well coated. Remove as much air as possible as you seal the container. If using a zip-top bag, place the bag on a baking sheet to freeze. Label the container with the contents and date. Freeze chicken with marinade. Place the container in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw, then cook as desired. Remove from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. After the chicken is thawed, then remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Then cook the chicken according to your favorite chicken recipe.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2012.
Thank you so much for sharing this grilling-mate recipe! I can’t see myself grilling chicken without it!
So happy you enjoy it! Thanks!
Have you tried this marinade with boneless breasts?
Yes, I make it that way all the time! Hope you enjoy this, Cathy! xo
Will sprite work as a substitute?
I’ve not used Sprite before in this recipe, so I am not sure how it tastes in it. I’m wondering if it might be a tad to sweet, but haven’t tried it. If you try, let me know how it tastes. Thanks!
I don’t like the taste of beer,so i would try the gingerale,will the taste be as good as using beer?
I’ve marinated and grilled a LOT of chicken in my life, and this is absolutely the BEST!! I used chicken breasts, which often are dry and tasteless when grilled, but this was wonderful – no need to add a thing when removed from the grill. The flavor goes well with any side dish, and it’s delicious in a salad with any additions. My favorite is feta, cranberries, toasted almonds and a raspberry walnut vinaigrette. Also, with wasabi soy walnuts, crispy noodles and sesame ginger dressing.
I’m so glad you love this grilled chicken marinade, Cammie! It is our favorite, too! xo
I tried this recipe the other night and it was phenomenal! It will definitely become a regular favourite. As we like it hot, added a bit more spice, marinaded for two hours, the chicken breasts were fantastic. I have already shared with others. Thank you so much Robyn!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you loved it, Nadine! xo
Can, may I deep fry the chicken?
You can, Dee. I use this marinade and cook my chicken many ways in addition to grilling it. Enjoy! xo
Really easy recipe. It’s my go to for sure. For the beer, I used Abita Big Easy IPA and it turned out great. May try a darker ale next time.
We love using this recipe all during grilling season – and more! So glad you enjoyed it too, Daniel! Thanks so much! 🙂
Can I use this marinade on ribs?
Had some friends coming for dinner rather last minute. My buddy is a gril master and always makes the best chicken and ribs on the bbq. I didnt want to just make some plane burgers as i tend to do so i looked up this marinade to make some chicken. Well it was awesome. Chicken was so juicy and tender. Along with some double backed bacon and cheese potatoes my last minute dinner was a hit
I’m so glad everyone loved your grilled chicken! Your whole menu sounds delicious!
You suggested ginger ale or apple cider as an alternative to beer, Would apple cider vinegar work as well? Also, what was the results using the alternative? Any difference in taste?
I’ve not tried apple cider vinegar and am not sure it would taste as it should, Willie. I believe you will have better results using one of the substitutes I list if you don’t want to use beer. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks!