These chicken marinades are perfect for grilling or frying. They are easy to prepare, full of flavor, and ideal for meal prep and freezing. Each marinade gives the chicken a unique taste, from mild and creamy to spicy and bold.
How to Prepare (General Method)
Clean the chicken well and pat it completely dry with paper towels.
Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
Add the chicken pieces and coat them evenly with the marinade.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
For freezing: place marinated chicken in freezer bags, remove air, label with the date, and freeze.
Thaw only in the refrigerator before cooking.
Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking.
Cook over medium heat, flipping only once.
Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes after cooking to keep it juicy.
* All marinades below are freezer-friendly.
1️⃣ Onion Juice Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
¼ cup onion juice
1 grated tomato
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp chili powder (optional)
½ tsp sugar
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp salt
Flavor: Juicy, tender, and deeply savory.
2️⃣ Mustard Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
1 small cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp mustard
½ tsp white pepper
¼ tsp salt
Flavor: Creamy with a gentle tang.
3️⃣ Indian-Style Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
3 tbsp oil
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp curry powder
1 small cup yogurt
¼ tsp salt
Flavor: Bold, warm, and aromatic.
4️⃣ Coriander & Lemon Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1½ tbsp honey
½ cup chopped fresh coriander
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ tsp salt
Flavor: Fresh, citrusy, and slightly sweet.
5️⃣ Sweet Pepper Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
6 tbsp hot pepper sauce (harissa or spicy ketchup)
¼ cup water
3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
Flavor: Sweet, spicy, and rich.
6️⃣ Spicy Jamaican-Style Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp chicken seasoning
2 tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp chili powder
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
Flavor: Sweet heat with Caribbean vibes.
7️⃣ Lemon & Ginger Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
2 tbsp oil
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp minced ginger
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp crushed dried red pepper (optional)
Flavor: Light, fresh, and slightly spicy.
8️⃣ Lemon & Smoked Paprika Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
2 tbsp oil
2 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp paprika
2 tsp brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
Flavor: Smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet.
9️⃣ Honey Garlic Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
¼ cup honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup water
Flavor: Sticky, sweet, and savory.
🔟 Yogurt & Curry Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
½ cup plain yogurt
2 tsp lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp brown sugar
Flavor: Creamy with gentle curry warmth.
Important Kitchen Tips
Always dry chicken well before marinating
Fresh chicken absorbs marinade better before freezing
Remove air from freezer bags
Label with the date
Thaw only in the refrigerator
Cook on medium heat
Rest chicken after cooking for maximum juiciness