0 from 72 votes
The Best Chicken Marinade
The best chicken marinade ever! This easy, 2-ingredient recipe makes the absolute best, most flavorful chicken you’ll ever have.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 209 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
For the marinade
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, breasts, or tenders*
- 1 (26-ounce) can pickled jalapeño peppers (with or without carrots)
For the seasoning (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a large resealable bag or bowl. Pour the can of pickled jalapeño peppers on top and seal the bag or cover the bowl. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.
- When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels.
- *Optional* In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the optional seasoning blend. You don’t have to season the chicken with this since the pickled jalapeño juices add a ton of flavor, but I like the addition of some dry spices right before cooking.
- To grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates with vegetable oil. Grill the chicken for 5 to 10 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the meat until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
- To cook on the stovetop: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 10 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the meat until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
- To bake: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on a large foil-lined baking dish. Bake the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Chicken thighs and tenders need about 15 minutes. Medium to large breasts need 20 to 25 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate, loosely tent it in foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If you plan on eating some of the pickled jalapeños, set aside as many as you want before mixing the rest with the chicken. You can eat the ones you’ve set aside as is, or you can cook them alongside the chicken on the grill, stovetop, or oven.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
209kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
33g
(66%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
162mg
(54%)
Sodium
306mg
(13%)
Potassium
444mg
(13%)
Fiber
0.4g
(2%)
Sugar
0.1g
(0%)
Vitamin A
190IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
0.1mg
(0%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 209
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 209kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 162mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 306mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 444mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 0.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 190IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.