What is the best saucepan for chicken? Ranking of the TOP 7 marinades

Turning ordinary chicken into a culinary treat is a challenge that many home cooks know well. The secret to a perfect dinner, a successful barbecue or a quick lunch often lies in one simple step - marinating. 

The main benefit of the marinade is its ability to penetrate deep into the texture of the meat and enrich it with rich, complex flavours that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. But there is much more to marinade than flavour enhancement. It helps to keep the meat hydrated during cooking, effectively preventing it from drying out, a common problem, especially with leaner chicken cuts such as breasts.

Recipes for marinades are for approximately 800 to 1000 g of chicken.

1. Classic garlic-herb marinade

This marinade is a stalwart in the kitchen and presents a traditional, fragrant and slightly spicy taste that appeals to almost everyone. Its versatility makes it an ideal choice for a variety of preparation methods.  

• Taste characteristic: Traditional, fragrant, slightly spicy.  
• Suitable for: grill, frying pan, oven.  
• Ingredients: 
  
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves of crushed garlic
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp ground red pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

This marinade serves as an excellent introduction to the world of marinated foods, offering familiar and comforting flavors that are universally popular. Its adaptability to a variety of cooking methods makes it an extremely practical choice for any home cook.

2. Honey-mustard marinade

The honey-mustard marinade delivers an enticing sweet-salty flavour with a subtle tang. It's a great choice for those looking for a balance between sweet, spicy and salty notes.  

• Flavour characteristic: Sweet and salty, with a subtle sharpness.  
• Suitable for: chicken breast, skewers, baking.  
• Ingredients: 
  
  • 125 ml Dijon mustard
  • 125 ml honey
  • 1 tsp soy sauce (optional to taste)
  • 125 ml vegetable oil (e.g. sunflower or rapeseed)
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • pinch of chilli (optional - according to preference)

An important caveat with this marinade is that excess marinade must be removed before baking. This is due to the sugar content of the honey, which could burn and cause a bitter taste or unwanted blackening of the meat. This simple precaution helps to avoid a common problem with sugar-based marinades and ensures a perfect caramelised crust with no burnt spots.

3. Yoghurt-spice marinade (Indian style)

Inspired by Indian cuisine, this marinade is known for its spicy, mild and extremely succulent taste. The yoghurt in the marinade is key as it ensures that the meat remains incredibly tender and supple after cooking.  

• Flavour characteristic: Spicy, delicate, very juicy.  
• Suitable for: baking, Tandoori style.  
• Ingredients: 
  
  • 200 g white yoghurt (Greek or full-fat)
  • 1 tsp ground paprika (sweet)
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 2-3 garlic cloves (crushed)
  • juice of ½ lemon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Yogurt has excellent tenderizing and moisturizing properties for chicken. Yogurt marinade is a highly recommended choice for maximum juiciness and tenderness. However, it is important to remember that marinades containing dairy products are susceptible to bacterial growth and therefore must always be kept refrigerated.  

4. Soy-ginger marinade (Asian style)

This marinade offers a vibrant, umami-rich flavor profile that is sweet-salty-spicy. It is ideal for quick preparation and Asian-inspired dishes.  

• Flavour characteristic: Sweet-salty-spicy.  
• Suitable for: wok, frying pan, grill.  
• Ingredients: 
  
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1,5 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
  • 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (or more to taste)
  • a pinch of chilli flakes or ½ tsp chilli paste 

An important ingredient that defines the "Asian style" of this marinade is sesame oil. It adds a distinctive nutty aroma that deepens the flavour profile and sets it apart from other marinades. This shows how specific oils can dramatically change and enrich the overall flavour of a dish.  

5. Lemon-olive marinade (Fresh Mediterranean)

The lemon-olive marinade is characterised by its fresh, light and Mediterranean flavour. It is ideal for light summer dishes and adds a bright and aromatic touch to meat.  

• Taste characteristic: Fresh, light, Mediterranean.  
• Suitable for: salads, baked pieces, wraps.  
• Ingredients: 
  
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 3-4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

This marinade is an example of how the acidic component (lemon) can be the primary carrier of flavour, not just a mellowing agent. It emphasises the 'fresh' and 'light' qualities, thus appealing to different dietary preferences and food contexts.

6. BBQ marinade

The BBQ marinade delivers a smoky, sweet and spicy, robust flavor that is a classic American profile. Although it is often associated with pork or beef, it also tastes great on chicken wings, thighs or chicken-fried steak.  

• Flavour characteristic: Smoky, sweet and spicy, robust.  
• Suitable for: chicken wings, thighs, chicken steak (especially the parts with skin).  
• Ingredients: 
  
  • 4 tbsp BBQ sauce
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Its suitability for chicken expands the possibilities of using BBQ sauces and encourages experimentation with this popular flavor profile on poultry as well.

7. Sweet and sour marinade

This marinade is sweet and sour, thick and perfect for creating a glossy, tasty glaze on meat. It is particularly suitable for chicken with skin, where it creates a delicious crust when grilled.  

• Flavour characteristic: Sweet and sour, thick, glazing.  
• Suitable for: chicken with skin, ideal for grilling.  
• Ingredients: 
  
  • 3 tbsp sugar (ideally cane sugar)
  • 4 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp wine (or apple) vinegar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (mix in a little cold water)
  • 2 tbsp ketchup

The inclusion of cornstarch in the recipe indicates that this marinade is designed to thicken and form a glaze, which sets it apart from other marinades.  

Tips and tricks for marinating chicken

While marinades are simple to prepare, a few tried-and-tested tips and tricks can elevate the result from good to truly exceptional.

How long to marinate?

The length of marinating is important for optimum flavour and texture. Chicken breasts should be marinated for a minimum of 1 hour, ideally 3-4 hours. For chicken thighs or whole pieces, 4-12 hours is appropriate, possibly overnight. Fillets for a quick pan will do with 30-60 minutes in a thicker marinade.  

However, it is important to note that longer marinating times are not always better, especially if the marinade contains an acidic ingredient such as yoghurt, buttermilk, lemon juice or vinegar. In this case, the marinating time should not exceed 10 hours, with 5 to 6 hours being ideal. This is because the acidic component changes the texture of the surface of the chicken and, if left for too long, may dry it out, thus losing the desired juiciness.

Proper storage and safety

All marinated meat must be kept exclusively in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of bacteria. Marinades containing dairy products are particularly sensitive and require strict adherence to refrigeration. Raw meat should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours, as exceeding this limit can lead to bacterial growth and health risks. In the refrigerator, the maximum safe marinating time for chicken is usually 24 hours. 

Meat preparation

It is important to let the marinated chicken "warm up" to room temperature for at least 15-30 minutes before cooking. Temperature shock could cause the meat to harden and affect its juiciness. 

For even absorption of the marinade and even browning, it is ideal to cut the meat into similarly sized pieces. If you are marinating a larger piece of meat, it is recommended to poke holes in it with a fork or knife to allow the marinade to penetrate the deeper textures more quickly.  

Experiment and discover your favourite flavour!

Marinade is really the easiest way to take chicken up a level and turn it into a juicy and irresistible delicacy. Whether you prefer the traditional flavours of garlic and herbs, sweet and spicy combinations, or exotic Asian and Indian notes, with a good marinade you have unlimited possibilities.  

We recommend experimenting with different flavours and adapting marinade recipes to your personal preferences.

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