Easy and flavorful Whole30 Chicken Marinade 5 different ways! These healthy chicken marinades are perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-frying and are paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and Whole30 approved. Say no to boring chicken!!
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Time to spice up your average chicken with a not so average Whole30 chicken marinade!
Chicken is a staple in our house. I kid you not, I make it every single week. It’s just so easy and cheap, especially when Michael and I eat a decent amount of protein each day.
I usually throw some chicken breasts in the crockpot for easy shredded chicken, but now that it’s summer, it’s officially grilling season. And that means easy grilled chicken to the rescue.
I’ll admit I don’t know too much about grilling. For the longest time we had a charcoal grill and I honestly didn’t want to be bothered with it. I had to figure out the coals, heat then up, and then spread them out, blah blah. I’m sure it’s not that hard to do, but it just seemed like a pain.
Well we recently were gifted a Traeger grill and times have changed. I’m all over that thing..it makes grilling so so easy. All you need to do is make sure you have wood chips in the feeder, turn it on, and turn the knob to the temperature you want. I love it and now I’m grilling all the time.
With all the grilling going on, I figured I would bring you some fun ways to spice up your typical grilled chicken!
Whole30 Chicken Marinade 5 Ways
No one likes boring chicken. Or dry chicken. When chicken isn’t seasoned right, I’ll be the first to admit it’s not enjoyable to eat. I’m all for marinating chicken – it gives it so much flavor and helps keep it moist when cooking. To keep your plate interesting, I’m sharing 5 easy Whole Chicken Marinades! Let’s break them down:
- cinnamon basil – sweetness from the cinnamon with a note of earthiness of the basil
- jalapeño lime – a nice kick from the jalapeño and lime
- coconut curry – sweet and spicy from the coconut and curry
- mustard balsamic – a little sweet from the mustard and a little zip from the balsamic
- citrus rosemary – super bright and refreshing
Each marinade only has a handful of ingredients and I’m guessing the ingredients are things you already have on hand. All you need to do is mix up the ingredients, throw it in a plastic bag or sealable dish with your chicken of choice (I used breasts), and let it sit for 4-24 hours.
If you are in a rush, you can only let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, but the longer you go, the better the flavor.
I’ve tested these recipes a couple times and I can’t decide which marinade flavor I like the most. The first time it was the cinnamon basil (trust on this flavor combo), but then the next it was the jalapeño lime. But I really really like the mustard balsamic too.
I believe my dad liked the citrus rosemary. Mikey liked the jalapeño lime. Honesty you can’t go wrong with any of them!
What kind of chicken is best for marinating?
This recipe uses chicken breast as that is what we eat the most in our house, but you could totally use chicken thighs or even chicken wings! They will all marinate the same, just the cooking times will differ.
If you need some inspiration on how to cook the chicken you have, check out these 30+ best Whole30 chicken recipes.
Can I freeze marinated chicken?
You ideally want to cook your chicken within 24 hours of marinating it. If you don’t have time, you can surely freeze marinated chicken. I recommend marinating the chicken in a resealable freezer safe bag so you can just throw it into the fridge if you don’t have time to make it.
You can also place the chicken in the freezer as soon as you make the marinade. Simply mix them together and pop it in the freeze for future use. To defrost, just place the frozen chicken in the fridge and while it defrosts, it will marinate at the same time.
Can I freeze healthy chicken marinade?
Yes, you can surly double the recipe and freeze any extras (sans chicken). Then just defrost in the fridge and marinade your chicken when you are ready to use.
Whole30 Chicken Marinades will bring flavor back to your chicken and the end result will be super juicy chicken! I opted to grill my chicken since it is summer, but these marinades can be used all year around for pan frying or baking chicken as well. They make a great addition to your weekly meal prep as well!
What to Serve with Whole30 Chicken Marinade?
Healthy Broccoli Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
Tomato Jicama Salad with Mango & Jalapeños
6 Whole30 Cauliflower Rice Recipes
Air Fryer Crispy Garlic Rosemary Potatoes
Paleo Loaded Roasted Potato Salad
Whole30 Chicken Marinade 5 Ways
ingredients
Coconut Curry Marinade
- 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- salt and pepper, to taste
Cinnamon Basil Marinade
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1/8 cup packed basil, chopped
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- salt, to taste
Jalapeño Lime Marinade
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 large jalapeño, diced (seeds included)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Citrus Rosemary Marinade
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, roughly chopped
- salt, to taste
Mustard Balsamic Marinade
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown mustard
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- salt, to taste
instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together your marinade.
- Add it to a plastic bag or sealable dish with chicken. You can use breasts, thighs, or drumsticks, any kind will work. Marinate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- Grill chicken, bake in the oven, or pan fry. Cooking instructions will vary on cooking method and type of chicken used.
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I want to make these as gifts for people. What’s the best way to preserve them in jars? I’m new to canning!
Hi Kelli! So sorry for the delay! Think that would work. I have actually never tried canning, but from what I have seen, if you just seal them tightly they should be fine (unless I am mistaking on how it works). It’s a great gift idea though, let me know if you try it!!
Hi!
The coconut curry marinade looks great! If I make it with a cut up whole chicken, would you know how to cook it in the oven? What temperature, how long, covered or uncovered?
Can’t wait to try it!
Hey Erica! Yes, that would work great – I would cook at for an hour or so at 375 degrees. Hope you enjoy!
Could you freeze these?
Hi Leah! Yes for sure! I would just freeze in bags and then place in the fridge the night before you want to use it. Hope you enjoy!
Do you throw away the marinade after use… and not use it as a sauce?
I do! Since it’s been sitting in the chicken so long, I don’t want to risk it. But you could definitely make a little extra and not put it in the bag/container and use it as a sauce afterwards!
WHat would be good to serve with the coconut chicken curry?
Oh so many things – cauliflower or rice white, green beans, roasted broccoli or brussel sprouts, roasted potatoes. Here are some of my favorites from my site:
https://eatthegains.com/avocado-cauliflower-rice/
https://eatthegains.com/coconut-cilantro-lime-rice/
https://eatthegains.com/apple-shaved-brussels-sprouts-salad/
https://eatthegains.com/sesame-garlic-green-beans/
https://eatthegains.com/cinnamon-roasted-delicata-squash/
https://eatthegains.com/crispy-roasted-breakfast-potatoes/
Hope that helps!
How long and what temperature do you bake the chicken in the oven?
Hi Jacqueline! It depends on how thick your chicken breasts are, but I would would say a 5-6 ounce chicken breast takes about 20 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees. The thicker the breasts are, the longer it will take though. If you have a meat thermometer, you want the temperature to get to 165 Fahrenheit. Hope that helps and let me know if you try one!
What do you usually pair the cinnamon basil chicken with? That sounds intriguing!!
Well, I’m weird and will eat just about any combo of food, but I usually pair it with whatever veggies and carbs we are having. Would go great with some cauliflower rice, green beans, carrot fries, roasted potatoes. Anything!
Can you freeze the chicken in the marinade and use at a later date? They sound great! Thank you!
Yes for sure! They would be great to prep ahead and then just pull out of the freezer the night before you would like to make it!
I’ve noticed that with coconut aminos and chicken, the chicken texture changes if you marinate it for more than about 4-6 hours
I could see that happening, but I haven’t tried it! Luckily none of these call for coconut aminos 🙂