We've all made at least one (or two!) of these marinating faux pas, so here's a guide to easy fixes.
It turns out marinating meat isn’t always as easy as you’d hope! Just throwing a “secret blend” of sauces, spreads and condiments on your chicken likely isn’t going to yield a great flavor, and more marinade doesn’t always equal a better outcome. (But hang on a sec—does marinating really work? This is our honest answer.)
Here are the simple mistakes people make when marinating and our best ideas to fix ’em.
1. You don’t have enough flavor
When you take 15 minutes to make a marinade and let your protein chill, you want the end result to be delicious and worth your while. But what if the flavor just isn’t there? To bring out a flavor that’s anything but boring, go ahead and toast spices, bruise your herbs and smash your garlic!
Use what’s in your refrigerator to make a tasty marinade. (Here’s how.)
2. The flavors are too bold
You can definitely have too much of a good thing–or too much going on. You don’t need to do anything that’s mad-scientist crazy, like combine sriracha and horseradish! Be mindful of the flavors of your ingredients and how they’ll interact when you’re cooking.
We like this Teriyaki Beef Marinade.
3. You don’t wait long enough
Your protein needs more than 5 minutes to properly absorb all the flavors. There’s no need to wait 24 hours, but you’ll want to let things rest for at least 30 minutes. You might even let your chicken, pork or beef marinate in the fridge overnight before you plan to cook. (That means you won’t have to do a thing in the kitchen until company’s on the way. Score!)
4. It’s too salty
The salt in your marinade is important, but overly salty meat can lead to a dry and tough finished product. Keep this in mind when you’re preparing your marinade and don’t go crazy with the salt, because it pulls the moisture out of your ingredients. You can always add more salt when you’re cooking, and keep some out at the dinner table, too.
For the most tender and flavorful result, ask your butcher for the right cuts of meat.
5. Things aren’t food safe
Salmonella is a risk when handling raw meat, so make sure that you avoid any contamination by tossing out the marinade the meat was resting in. It doesn’t hurt to have a little extra left over, so next time you’re making a marinade, keep a small container on the side for basting during the cooking process.
6. There’s not enough marinade
Make sure to whip up more than enough marinade, because this definitely isn’t the time to skimp! The results will be far better if you give your protein ample marinade to soak in, making sure all pieces of chicken or beef are covered in the dish or bag.
The super-easy chicken recipes below show off our most flavor-packed marinades. They’ll keep you cooking all season long!
Easy, Flavorful Marinated Chicken Recipes
Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California Get Recipe
Caesar Sheet-Pan Chicken
In our area we have an abundance of fresh lemons year-round. When I had a few extra on hand, I put together this quick sheet-pan chicken. I baked it so I could add carrots and potatoes, but you can grill the chicken if you'd like. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Air-Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken
I live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state's famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I’d try air-frying. I’m so glad I did—this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee
Grilled Buttermilk Chicken
I created this recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this tends to release the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad
My sister-in-law introduced me to this colorful mandarin chicken salad with a delicious homemade dressing. I reduced the oil and salt and switched to light soy sauce. Sometimes I substitute toasted sesame seeds for the nuts. —Renee Heimerl, Oakfield, Wisconsin
Grilled Pineapple Chicken
A trip to Hawaii is easy with this juicy grilled pineapple chicken. Simply give it a quick marinade, fire up the grill and let it sizzle. We love this low-carb recipe! —Charlotte Rogers, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Grilled Glazed Drummies
My family prefers these mild-tasting chicken wings more than the traditional hot wings. They are great for any gathering. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland
Tandoori Chicken
A hand-mixed spice rub makes ordinary chicken worthy of a special occasion. Plus, it takes awhile to marinate, so you can do other things while the spicy yogurt sauce works its magic. —Dena Leigh at Amici's Catered Cuisine, Oldsmar, Florida
Roasted Honey Mustard Chicken
I love a good roasted chicken, and this one is easy and delicious. The marinade does its magic in the fridge until time for roasting. It’s fun to dress the dish up by season based on whatever vegetables are fresh at the market. —Kara Brook, Owings Mills, Maryland
Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs
When I see Meyer lemons in the store, it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Chicken Fajita Salad
This recipe came from Texas, which is famous for its Mexican food. I love to cook, even though it's just for me and my husband now. I invite our grown kids over a lot, and they just love this chicken fajita salad. I'm happy to share it! —Lois Proudfit, Eugene, Oregon
Sticky Chicken Wings
You'll want to keep an extra stack of napkins nearby once people start reaching for these sweet and sticky wings. The brown sugar marinade makes every bite finger-lickin' good! —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland
Sheet-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken
Everyone needs an easy meal. Try this sheet-pan chicken with roasted potatoes for a simple and tasty meal guaranteed to please the whole family. If you use fresh lemon juice, garnish each serving with a little lemon zest for bright flavor. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California
Pigeon River Chicken
For a picnic on the Pigeon River, we made chicken marinated in yogurt with a touch of cayenne. It’s delectable warm or cold. —Lib Jicha, Waynesville, North Carolina
Matt's Jerk Chicken
Get ready for a trip to the Islands. You may think jerk chicken is complicated but, really, all it takes is time. Throw on some tunes, grab an icy drink and prepare to be transported. Have a smoker? You can smoke the chicken first and finish it on the grill. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey
Sweet & Tangy Barbecued Chicken
My family loves to grill in the summer, and this is our go-to recipe when hosting friends and family. Every bite is full of flavor and the chicken is always tender and juicy. —Joy Yurk, Grafton, Wisconsin
Baked Buffalo Chicken
When I make this tangy buffalo chicken breast, I have to double this baked buffalo chicken recipe because it disappears so fast. Better to have leftovers, especially since they make great sandwiches and salads. —Beth Zimmerman, Willingboro, New Jersey
Ginger-Cashew Chicken Salad
I revamped an Asian-style chicken salad recipe to create this gingery, crunchy salad. Now it’s a huge success when I serve it at ladies luncheons. —Shelly Gramer, Long Beach, California
Orange-Thyme Chicken in Garlic Sauce
The roasted garlic sauce in this recipe makes ordinary chicken breasts amazing. To switch things up, replace the orange juice and zest with lime. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Sheet-Pan Tandoori Chicken
This tandoori chicken recipe is easy for weeknights since it bakes in one pan, but it is also special enough for guests. The best part? There isn’t much to clean up when dinner is over! —Anwar Khan, Iriving, Texas
Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad
Layered desserts always grab my family’s attention, but salads? Not so much. I wondered if I could get everyone on board by presenting a healthy salad in an eye-catching way. I’m happy to say that it worked. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts
Tropical Island Chicken
The marinade makes a savory statement in this all-time-favorite chicken recipe that I served at our son's pirate-themed birthday party. It smelled so good on the grill that guests could hardly wait to try a piece! —Sharon Hanson, Franklin, Tennessee
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It's one of those basil recipes that tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Filipino Chicken Adobo
My mom always makes her saucy chicken adobo recipe when I come home to visit. I think it's even better the next day as leftovers —she says it's because of the vinegar. — Michael Moya, New York, New York
Five-Spice Chicken Wings
Bird is the word when it comes to these wings. They’re baked to a perfect golden brown and hum with mild, delicious Asian spices. Thanks to an overnight marinade, the chicken inside stays tender while the skin maintains that signature crunch. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Thai Chicken & Slaw
This recipe is foolproof and well worth the prep time. Kids love the sweetness of the honey, and I serve the slaw on the side so my vegetarian friends can enjoy it, too.—Karen Norris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Slow-Cooked Mandarin Chicken
Oranges and olives are elegantly paired in this different but delicious dish. The chicken is marinated, then cooked slowly in a flavorful sauce, so it stays moist. —Aney Chatterson, Soda Springs, Idaho
Caribbean Chicken
You'd be hard-pressed to find a marinade this flavorful at any store! Add or subtract the jalapenos to suit your crew's taste, and you'll be grilling a new family favorite before you know it. — Rusty Collins, Orlando, Florida
Flavorful Chicken Fajitas
This chicken fajitas recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The marinated chicken in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. The fajitas go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
Honey-Glazed Chicken Kabobs
This is one of my husband’s favorite meals. I serve it with rice pilaf, salad and grilled garlic bread. —Tracey Miller, Aiken, South Carolina
Roasted Lime Chicken
The subtle citrus flavor infused throughout this moist and baked lime chicken makes it a frequent request for family dinners. It's the ideal way to use fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley. —Kathy Lewis-Martinez, Spring Valley, California
Orange-Spiced Chicken
Five ingredients are all you’ll need for this fast and extremely flavorful marinade. With one taste, it’ll become your most-requested chicken recipe! —Debra Stevens, Lutz, Florida
Apple-Marinated Chicken & Vegetables
I actually invented this chicken with vegetables dish at a campground, so you know it's easy. Using the same marinade for the meat and veggies keeps it simple so we can spend more time outside and less time making dinner. —Jayme Schertz, Clintonville, Wisconsin
Oven-Fried Chicken Drumsticks
This fabulous recipe uses Greek yogurt to create an amazing marinade that makes the chicken incredibly moist. No one will guess that it has been lightened up and is not even fried! — Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Ranch-Marinated Chicken Breasts
The pub favorite pairing of ranch dressing and chicken comes home to your kitchen. With just a little prep time the night before, you can have these savory breasts ready in about half an hour! —Barbee Decker, Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Marinated Grilled Chicken
My family loves this grilled chicken, and I love having a healthy and tasty recipe that keeps my kitchen cool. —Linda Coss, Lake Forest, California
Chicken Fajitas for Two
This is the best fajita recipe I've ever tried. It sounds complicated, but it really isn't. The servings are hearty, but this dish is so good that my husband and I never have a problem finishing it! —Kathleen Smith, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Lemon & Sage Roasted Chicken
Whether it’s soaking in marinade or baking in the oven, this easy-to-prepare chicken allows ample hands-free time. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
Grilled Basil Chicken
This cinch of a marinade gives the chicken lots of Italian flavor. Serve the chicken with a tossed green salad and garlic breadsticks, or put slices on a ciabatta roll along with lettuce, tomato and mozzarella cheese for a zesty handheld meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
Hearty Chicken Gyros
I love reinventing classic recipes to fit our taste and healthy lifestyle. This recipe is quick to prepare and can be served with oven fries or on its own. You can add Greek olives, omit the onion, or even use cubed pork tenderloin for a new taste. —Kayla Douthitt, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Up Next: Check out how to make the best steak marinade.
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