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7 BEST Chicken Marinades (+ Printable Recipe Cheat Sheet)

Updated: 5/27/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These 7 easy marinades for chicken breasts will transform this boring cut into several tasty and healthy meals! Learn how to prep and freeze for later OR how to make them for dinner tonight. Plus, snag our FREE one-page cheat sheet of all the recipes.

7 chicken marinades

Affiliate links included.

Why We Love Marinating Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts are the go-to cut of poultry in our houses. They are lean, easy to find, and versatile. But, without some serious culinary help, this cut can be flat-out boring and lackluster.

chicken marinade in freezer bags

That’s where our 7 marinades for chicken breasts come in! Marinating chicken helps to infuse flavor throughout and adds moisture to a cut of chicken that can be notoriously dry. We’ve developed 7 delicious combos of marinade ingredients so you never get bored again!

In this article, you’ll find:

  • Video Tutorial: How to Make 7 Chicken Marinades
  • FREE Printable Cheat Sheet
  • 7 Amazing Chicken Marinades
  • FAQ: Can you freeze chicken marinades?
  • FAQ: How long should I marinate chicken breasts?
  • FAQ: Can you use these marinades for other cuts of chicken?
  • FAQ: Where do you buy your chicken from?

1 Minute Video: How to Make All 7 Marinades for Chicken Breasts

Check out just how quickly these marinades come together using mostly pantry staples…

Get 7 of Our BEST Chicken Marinades Sent to Your Inbox!

7 Chicken Marinade Recipes

There is a marinade for everyone in our collection! Each recipe works for 1 1/2 – 2 pounds of chicken breasts. Which flavor profile looks tastiest to you?

chicken breasts in marinades in freezer bags

1. Asian Sesame Chicken Marinade

With just a few key Asian-inspired ingredients, you can create some seriously tasty marinated chicken. Serve it in wraps, on salads, or over rice. A perfect side dish is our Asian Slaw…yum!

marinade in a small mason jar and two chicken breasts in a freezer bag with marinade

2. Honey Dijon Chicken Marinade

You had me at 5 ingredients! That’s right. This recipe only requires 5 pantry staple ingredients for a perfect sweet and tangy result. Delicious on top of salad with our Honey Dijon Dressing or serve on a bun with your favorite chicken sandwich toppings.

Honey Dijon Chicken Marinade

3. Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade

Thanks to fresh lemon, garlic, thyme, and more, this bright and flavorful marinade completely transforms any cut of chicken. Pairs perfectly with our Crispy Smashed Potatoes and Strawberry Fields Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette.

lemon garlic marinade in mason jar and in a freezer bag with chicken

4. Balsamic Herb Chicken Marinade

Fresh herbs and pantry staples combine to create this complex marinade. Grill or bake the chicken, then enjoy on its own or atop a salad. Side dish ideas include our Simple Boiled Baby Potatoes or No Boil Corn on the Cob.

chicken breasts in freezer bag with balsamic marinade and marinade in a mason jar

5. Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade

Cilantro, lime, garlic and more marry together to create this fresh, citrusy marinade. Serve on tacos, in quesadillas, or shredded on top of nachos, like these Instant Pot Chicken Nachos.

marinade in a mason jar and marinade and chicken in freezer bag

6. The BEST Savory Chicken Marinade

This marinade packs a flavor punch! In fact, I think it’s the BEST savory one you’ll find. With just a few pantry staple ingredients, boring chicken is taken to a whole new flavor level! Enjoy a la carte, on top of our Favorite Cobb Salad, on a sandwich, or in a wrap.

savory chicken marinade in a mason jar and in a freezer bag with chicken breasts

7. Southwest Chicken Marinade

Of all the marinades in the world, THIS Southwest Chicken Marinade is the one I make the most. Hands down. My kids love it. All adults love it. And it can be served any way you dream up–a la carte, in tacos or quesadillas, in Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls, or in our Southwest Chicken and Bacon Wraps.

chicken marinade in a small mason jar and in a freezer bag with chicken

FAQ: Can you freeze these chicken marinades?

Absolutely! As freezer cookbook authors, we especially love how easy it is to prep these chicken breast marinades ahead of time and freeze them to have on hand for another night. Every recipe includes freezing instructions, so you can double and freeze a batch anytime.

frozen chicken in marinades in freezer bags

To Freeze: Simply add all the marinade ingredients to a BPA-free gallon-sized freezer bag or one of our favorite freezer meal dishes, toss or whisk to combine, and add in 1 1/2 – 2 pounds of chicken breasts per marinade batch. Then, squeeze out as much air as possible, seal, and freeze for up to 3 months for best results.

To Thaw: Thaw, using one of these safe thawing methods and then cook the chicken according to our recipe instructions. No additional marinating time needed once it is thawed!

We encourage you to stock up on all the ingredients for these marinades and prep them in bulk for an hour or so over the weekend. You’ll love having them on hand in the freezer!

FAQ: How long should I marinate chicken breasts?

In our tests, we found that it’s best to marinate your chicken in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours. Less than 1 hour didn’t seem to infuse enough flavor into the chicken breasts and more than 24 hours can cause them to become a bit mealy and mushy, especially if the marinade has a high acid content.

marinades for chicken breasts in freezer bags

If you’re freezing your chicken in the marinade, skip the time in the refrigerator and throw it immediately into the freezer. It will not over marinate in the freezer, but the chicken will begin to absorb some of the flavor during its stay. Then, while it thaws using one of these safe methods, it will marinate even more.

FAQ: Can you use these marinades for other cuts of chicken?

Absolutely! All cuts of chicken can benefit from a dip in a marinade. So, these marinades work just as well for chicken thighs and bone-in chicken. Cooking time will vary from our recipes, however, since we direct you how to cook chicken breasts.

chicken marinades in freezer bags

FAQ: Where do you get your chicken breasts from?

We are HUGE fans of Butcherbox and have been getting our chicken (and beef, seafood, and pork) from them for years now. We love that their chicken is 100% organic and all their meat is healthy and sourced responsibly. It’s so convenient to have it delivered to our doorsteps whenever we choose!

You should definitely check it out and see if Butcherbox would be a good fit for your family. Our readers and we just love it!

Check out Butcherbox HERE

Don’t forget to snag our free printable cheat sheet!

Download Chicken Marinades Cheat Sheet

 

 

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Rachel Tiemeyer

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

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  1. AvatarEmily says

    Posted on 4/22/22 at 2:10 pm

    I can’t download the cheat sheet to the marinades

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 4/25/22 at 11:11 am

      So sorry for the trouble, Emily! You can grab the cheat sheet here: https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/imtqgk7gtf8e3upxw35a/

      Let me know if you need any more help.

      Reply
  2. AvatarKate says

    Posted on 4/19/22 at 5:03 pm

    If I prep just the marinades in jars, do I need to refrigerate them or can I store in the cupboard?

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 4/20/22 at 2:17 pm

      You will need to refrigerate for up to 2-3 weeks or freeze them for 3-6 months to help them stay fresh. If freezing, be sure to leave at least 1 inch of headspace at the top because the liquid will expand when frozen.

      Reply
  3. AvatarAlfonso says

    Posted on 4/13/22 at 12:23 am

    Why cannot download the cheat sheet?

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 4/25/22 at 11:11 am

      Alfonso, so sorry for the trouble! You can grab the cheat sheet here: https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/imtqgk7gtf8e3upxw35a/

      Let me know if you need any more help.

      Reply
      • AvatarMary Frances Snyder says

        Posted on 5/18/22 at 2:54 pm

        I can’t get the link to work either. I keep putting my info in and it is not sending the printable. Can you email it to me? Thanks!

        Reply
        • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

          Posted on 5/19/22 at 10:59 am

          Sorry for the trouble! Just emailed you back.

          Reply
  4. AvatarRobin says

    Posted on 2/10/22 at 8:07 am

    Do you have one for a Garlic Butter chicken?

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 2/10/22 at 11:57 am

      Sorry we don’t. But, if you like breaded chicken with a buttery lemon sauce, give our Chicken Piccatta recipe a shot: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/healthy-chicken-piccata/

      Reply
  5. AvatarHolly McPherson says

    Posted on 10/28/21 at 12:27 am

    I’ve made the savory and southwest after freezing them. Absolutely wonderful meals! I’d like to try the Asian next. Tell me, would stir frying be an option?

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 10/29/21 at 3:25 pm

      Thanks for the review, Holly! Stir-frying the Asian Sesame Chicken is SUCH a great idea. I would cut it up in bite-sized pieces or thin strips before adding the chicken to the marinade. Then, you could totally stir-fry over medium-high to high heat in a pan on the stove. Add in some stir-fry veggies (i.e. thinly sliced carrots, water chestnuts, snow peas, broccoli), too. Yum!

      Reply
  6. AvatarKathleen says

    Posted on 10/14/21 at 10:41 am

    Tried the southwest marinade and it was yummy, everyone loved it thnx for the easy recipies :))

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 10/14/21 at 3:23 pm

      Thanks for the feedback, Kathleen. Sure glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  7. AvatarTheresa G says

    Posted on 8/29/21 at 6:14 pm

    I haven’t eaten any of the marinated chicken, but major props to you ladies for this resource! I had almost all of these ingredients already, and was able to prep all but the Asian sesame and freeze today! That feels like a major accomplishment and will make dinner time easier in the coming weeks. All of the flavor combos looked like crowd pleasers, and I appreciated the easily accessible ingredients. Thanks for the freebie!!

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 8/30/21 at 1:29 pm

      Yay!! I’m glad it was easy for you and you’ve got some healthy freezer meals on hand now. It’s such a great feeling, isn’t it? I hope you enjoy them, Theresa.

      Reply
  8. AvatarBrianna says

    Posted on 6/2/21 at 6:59 pm

    Made the Balsamic Herb and the Savory marinades so far. They are so good!! I haven’t had the chance to freeze the chicken in the marinades yet so I just let them marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Still very flavorful – everyone in the family loved both!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 6/3/21 at 8:36 am

      Wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and review. Glad you’ve enjoyed the Balsamic marinade so far.

      Reply
  9. AvatarMarsha says

    Posted on 4/12/21 at 6:24 am

    I made 2 of these marinades so far. Oh my goodness they were delicious. Can’t wait to try the rest. Southwest and Cilantro lime were great.

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 4/12/21 at 6:53 am

      Thanks for the feedback, Marsha. Really happy to hear you enjoyed them! My favorite is the Southwest.

      Reply
  10. AvatarAbby says

    Posted on 2/13/21 at 3:30 pm

    We love the Southwest marinade but we add a little extra heat!

    Reply
    • Polly ConnerPolly Conner says

      Posted on 2/13/21 at 3:46 pm

      Yum!

      Reply

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