Sunshine on a Plate Lemon Herb Chicken Marinade
Recipe Introduction
Ever stared blankly at a pack of chicken, wondering how to make it exciting? Honestly, I've been there! Today, we're diving into chicken marinade recipes that'll transform your weeknight dinners.
Get ready for a flavour explosion!
Quick Hook
Fancy a trip to the Mediterranean without leaving your kitchen? This Lemon & Herb chicken marinade recipes will transport you! Its zesty, herby taste is simply irresistible.
Brief Overview
This Lemon & Herb Chicken Marinade draws inspiration from sunny Mediterranean shores. It's incredibly easy, taking just 10 minutes to prep, plus marinating time.
One batch serves 4 people, perfect for a family dinner!
Main Benefits
This marinade is packed with flavour, and the herbs offer great health benefits. It’s ideal for a summer barbecue or a quick weeknight meal.
What makes this recipe special? It's a simple way to create juicy, tender, and flavourful chicken every single time.
Easy Chicken Marinade Recipes : Ingredients You'll Need
Alright, so let's gather the bits. You'll need 2 pounds of chicken breasts. Some olive oil (about 1/4 cup will do the trick), some lemon juice (again, a 1/4 cup from a couple of lemons).
Don't forget your garlic (two cloves, minced), and a good handful of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano. A pinch of salt and pepper, and you're golden.
How To Make Mexican Chicken Marinade
If you want to, you can adjust the flavour profile and go for a Chicken Marinade Mexican Style . A Mexican Chicken Marinade For Tacos involves adding ingredients like chili powder, cumin, and a bit of lime juice.
Other Marinade Recipes : Expand Your Horizons
Don't be shy to experiment with marinade recipes ! A lemon herb chicken marinade is classic, but think about trying a grilled chicken marinade or even a baked chicken marinade recipes for some great results.
A Juicy Chicken Marinade can be achieved by using ingredients that tenderize the chicken.
Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Show on the Road!
Right, so let's talk ingredients for this amazing Lemon & Herb Chicken Marinade Recipes . Don't worry, it's all pretty simple stuff.
No need for any fancy dan ingredients here. This recipe for Chicken Marinade Mexican Style will be easy to adapt later!
Main Ingredients: The Stars of the Show
Here's what you'll need. My nan always said, "Use good ingredients, get good results!" Wise words, eh? This Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe is no exception!
- 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Quality chicken makes a difference, honestly. Look for plump, pink breasts - not the dodgy pale ones. This will ensure a Juicy Chicken Marinade .
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil. Splurge a little here if you can. It does make a difference in flavor.
- 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice. About 2 lemons should do the trick.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced. Don't skimp on the garlic, trust me!
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried).
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried).
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried).
- 1 teaspoon salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
Seasoning Notes: Spice Up Your Life!
This is where you can get creative with the Chicken Marinade Mexican Style recipe!
For a classic flavor, the rosemary, thyme, and oregano are perfect. They're a match made in heaven. Want a bit of a kick? A pinch of red pepper flakes will do the trick.
If you are going to prepare this marinade recipes with a Mexican Chicken Marinade For Tacos style, you should add some spices, like Cumin, Ancho powder.
Fresh herbs are always best, but dried herbs work fine too. Just remember to use half the amount. You know Easy Chicken Marinade Recipes don't need to be complicated!
Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple!
Honestly, you don't need a load of fancy gadgets for this Lemon herb chicken marinade . Easy Chicken Marinade Recipes are all about simplicity.
- A large mixing bowl or ziplock bag.
- A whisk or fork.
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Whatever you're cooking the chicken on: grill, baking dish, or skillet.
Honestly? That's it! You probably have most of this stuff already. So get in the kitchen and get cooking! This is a great baked chicken marinade recipes idea, too!
Sunshine on a Plate: Lemon & Herb Chicken Marinade
Honestly, who doesn't love a bit of sunshine on their plate, even if it's chucking it down outside? That's exactly what this Lemon & Herb chicken marinade recipes delivers.
Think of it as a mini holiday for your taste buds. This easy chicken marinade recipes will brighten up any boring chicken dish.
Prep Steps for Zesty Chicken
First, essential mise en place is key. Get your ingredients lined up like you're prepping for your own MasterChef challenge.
Next, trim your chicken, 2 lbs worth, give it a bit of a prod to flatten it out. This helps it cook faster.
Now, mince 2 cloves of garlic. Chop 2 tablespoons each of fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano, or use 2 teaspoons dried of each.
Grab 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Finally, a teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
Boom! You're ready. Always wash your hands well.
How To Make Lemon Herb Chicken Marinade - step-by-step
- Trim any excess fat from the 2 lbs chicken breasts. Bash 'em a bit too.
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil , lemon juice , garlic , rosemary , thyme , oregano , salt , and pepper .
- Plop the chicken into the bowl of marinade and make sure it's all nicely coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes . For max flavor, go for 2- 4 hours, or even overnight!
- Cook the chicken using your fave method (grilling, baking, or pan-frying) until it hits an internal temp of 165° F ( 74° C) . Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Pro Tips for Peak Chicken Flavour
Want juicy chicken marinade magic? Don't marinate too long. Overnight is max! Seriously, lemon juice can start to make the chicken a bit mushy if you leave it for days! For grilling, get the grill screaming hot before you add the chicken and don't move it about too much.
Let it get some good color. Also, resting the chicken lets the juices redistribute, making it even juicier .
This recipe is totally ace, and you can totally nail it! Experiment and make it your own. After all, cooking should be fun, not a chore.
Try experimenting with Chicken Marinade Recipes to find your favourite.
Recipe Notes for Your Sunshine Chicken
Right, so you've got the lemon herb chicken marinade down. Brilliant! Now, let's chat about making this absolutely banging. Here are some notes to help you totally nail it, and a few thoughts that popped into my head while making it.
Sunshine on a Plate: Serving Ideas
Honestly, presentation is key. Plating it up nicely can make all the difference. Think Mediterranean vibes. I like to serve mine sliced over a bed of couscous with some roasted veg.
Asparagus and peppers work a treat. A dollop of tzatziki? Oh my gosh, heaven . For drinks, a chilled glass of crisp white wine or a sparkling elderflower cordial is perfect.
You could even serve this chicken in tacos, it's pretty amazing!
Storage Savvy: Keeping it Fresh
Right, so you've got leftovers? Lucky you! Pop the cooked chicken into an airtight container and it’ll be grand in the fridge for 3-4 days .
Fancy making a batch and freezing it? You can! Once cooled, wrap each chicken breast individually in cling film, then put them all in a freezer bag.
They'll keep for up to 3 months . To reheat, defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight, then bake at 175° C ( 350° F) until piping hot, about 15- 20 minutes.
Tasty Twists: Variations on a Theme
Want to mix it up a bit? No worries! If you are looking for easy chicken marinade recipes , you could adapt this chicken marinade recipe to your liking.
- Dietary Adaptations: This chicken marinade is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, which is a bonus. But what if you are trying to use Marinade Recipes for a low sodium diet? Reduce or omit the salt entirely. Instead, amplify the flavor with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon and spices.
- Seasonal Swaps: Feel free to swap the rosemary, thyme and oregano for other fresh herbs. In spring, chives and parsley are gorgeous. Autumn? Sage and marjoram.
- Mexican Chicken Marinade For Tacos: For a delicious Chicken Marinade Mexican Style and to learn How To Make Mexican Chicken Marinade , you can add smoked paprika, cumin, chilli powder and a little lime juice.
Nutrition Nuggets: Goodness Inside
This grilled chicken marinade is delicious, but it's good for you too. Each serving is packed with about 50g of protein, and a good source of lean protein to boot! Lemon is full of vitamin C, which is great for boosting your immune system, especially in the winter months.
With this baked chicken marinade recipes , you're getting flavour and goodness!
So there you have it! A few little nuggets to help you make this juicy chicken marinade shine. Experiment, have fun, and don't be afraid to get creative.
I’m sure the whole family will love this chicken marinade recipes . Happy cooking, my friend!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is too long to marinate chicken using these chicken marinade recipes? I don’t want to end up with rubbery chicken!
That's a cracking question! You definitely don't want to overdo it, especially with a citrus based marinade like this Lemon & Herb one. The lemon juice is acidic and can start to break down the chicken if left for too long, resulting in a mushy texture.
Overnight (around 8-12 hours) is generally the maximum recommended time.
Can I use frozen chicken for this Sunshine on a Plate chicken marinade recipe?
Absolutely! It's best to thaw the chicken completely in the fridge before marinating. Marinating while thawing can lead to uneven flavor absorption and potentially affect food safety. Once thawed, follow the recipe as normal; the marinade will penetrate the chicken beautifully.
I’m not a big fan of rosemary. What else can I use in this chicken marinade recipes instead?
No worries, we can sort that! If rosemary isn't your cup of tea, try swapping it out for other Mediterranean herbs like basil or marjoram. You could even add a pinch of dried oregano or some fresh parsley for a slightly different, but equally delicious, flavour profile. Experiment and see what you like best!
It’s all about making it your own “Sunshine on a Plate”.
How should I store leftover marinated chicken, cooked or uncooked?
For uncooked chicken, it’s best to cook it immediately after marinating. If you really must store it, only do so for a maximum of 24 hours in the fridge. For cooked chicken, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Make sure it's cooled down properly before refrigerating to avoid condensation.
Can I use the marinade that raw chicken has been sitting in as a sauce after cooking?
Good thinking, but definitely not! Once raw chicken has been in contact with the marinade, it's no longer safe to consume without thoroughly cooking it. However, you can create a similar sauce by making a fresh batch of the marinade and bringing it to a boil in a saucepan to kill any bacteria.
Then, simmer until it thickens slightly. Bobs your uncle, you have a safe sauce.
Sunshine On A Plate Lemon Herb Chicken Marinade
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15g |
| Fiber | 5g |
