My Favorite Chicken Marinades & Cooking Methods
Marinade measurements are for 2 chicken breasts (1-2 lbs)
You can find cooking instructions at the bottom of this page!
Savory Balsamic
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or more/less depending on your preference of spiciness)
This would pair well with Caesar salad (or Caesar Brussels sprouts), roasted potatoes, asparagus, a hearty grain salad, or your favorite rich side dish.
Citrusy Umami
3 tbsp olive or avocado oil
Splash of rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp honey
3 tbsp soy sauce
Juice from 1 lemon
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
6 cloves of garlic, minced or crushed
This would pair well with stir-fry veggies, fried rice, Szechuan green beans, Japanese sweet potatoes, or your favorite Asian-inspired dishes.
Lemon, Garlic & Herb
3 tbsp olive oil
Juice from 2 lemons
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
This would pair well with rosemary smashed potatoes, roasted carrots, orzo with feta and olive oil, Greek salad, or my apple, chive, and cheddar salad.
My favorite cooking methods for juicy chicken:
Cover the chicken breasts with saran wrap or place in a Ziploc bag
Gently pound the thickest part of the chicken until it is an even thickness, about 1/2 inch.
In a Ziploc or a bowl, coat the chicken in the marinade and let soak for at least 20 minutes.
For the grill:
Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400ºF)
Put the marinated chicken breasts on the preheated grill and close the lid.
Cook for 5–7 minutes on each side, or until you see nice grill marks. Flip the chicken just once to ensure it stays juicy.
Remove once chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
For the stove/oven:
Preheat oven to 375º
On the stove, heat an oven-safe pan (cast iron or stainless steel) over medium high heat and drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil.
Avocado oil has a higher smoke point, so your pan is less likely to burn.
Add marinated chicken breasts to the heated pan and cook for 3 minutes. (Don’t move it around! We want a nice crust.)
After 3 minutes, flip the chicken and carefully move the pan into the preheated oven.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until internal temp is 165ºF.
