Marinating chicken isn’t the most glamorous part of cooking, but it might be one of the most useful.
At its simplest, a marinade is a mixture of salt, fat, acid and flavour – ingredients that work together to tenderise the meat and infuse it with depth before it ever touches heat. Done well, it turns an otherwise mild-mannered cut of poultry into something with character.
Chicken is particularly suited to marinating. It’s affordable, easy to cook and tends to take on flavour readily. Different cultures have long known this and treated it accordingly. In Lebanon, a mix of lemon, garlic and yoghurt forms the backbone of dishes like shish taouk.
Across India, spiced yoghurt does double duty as both tenderiser and seasoning. Southeast Asian marinades lean into fish sauce, sugar and lime. And in the American South, buttermilk does the job with sweet efficiency, especially before frying.
You don’t need much to make a marinade work. A couple of tablespoons of vinegar or citrus, a splash of oil, and something from your spice rack is often enough. Time does the rest. Most marinades need at least half an hour to take effect, though a few hours – or overnight – will usually get better results. There are limits, of course. Too much acid for too long and your chicken can turn mushy. But for the most part, it’s a forgiving process.
While bottled versions exist and certainly have their place, it’s worth noting that a homemade marinade is rarely more than five ingredients away. It’s also a great way to use up odds and ends; a spoonful of mustard, a bit of leftover wine, that half-lemon in the fridge drawer. Think of it less as a recipe and more as a habit. The kind that subtly improves a weeknight dinner without requiring much in return.
While a good chicken marinade may not seem exciting, it very often leads to something that is.
We’ve curated a selection of the best midweek marinades that can be bought at the supermarket to elevate any chicken dish. Keep scrolling to get saucy.
Shop now
Ottolenghi Garlic, Date & Scotch Bonnet Marinade
Whether used to zhush up a salad, fried egg, or to marinate chicken overnight, Ottolenghi’s latest pre-made marinade is a veritable spicy yet balanced delight. Described by Ottolenghi as a “friendship of opposites”, fermented garlic balances the spice of the scotch bonnet, while date molasses adds a subtle hint of sweetness.
Buy now £4.00, Waitrose
Mahi Peri Peri Mango & Lime Marinade
You simply can’t go wrong with a classic mango and lime flavour combination. Citrus and fruit-infused chicken just screams summer – whether you’re enjoying it during hot weather, or as comfort food on a dark and drizzly day. This option from Mahi is full of flavour but won’t blow your head off, making it a brilliant BBQ catch-all.
Buy now £2.50, Ocado
Nando’s Peri Peri Quick Marinade Hot
Formulated to offer mouth-watering flavour in just 30 minutes, this classic Nando’s marinade will eliminate your need for that weekly takeaway for good. It’s made without any artificial preservatives, flavours and colours, and includes a fiery infusion of African bird’s eye chilli, garlic, lemon and additional delectable spices. Not for the faint of heart.
Buy now £2.00, Tesco
Oxo Teriyaki Marinade
Takeaway-level sticky teriyaki chicken from a £2.50 bottle? Don’t mind if we do. It can also be used to infuse fish and vegetable dishes with an addictive umami flavour by marinating for just 10 minutes before cooking.
Buy now £2.50, Tesco
Blues Hog Original BBQ Sauce
Originating in Tennessee, Blues Hog BBQ sauce is an award-winning marinade infused with the perfect level of lip-tingling heat. According to Sous Chef, the best way to use this subtly sweet sauce is to baste your meat of choice halfway through cooking to keep the moisture locked in. You can also use it as a dip for your favourite pre-BBQ crudites.
Buy now £15.99, Sous Chef
Stokes Sweet & Sticky Barbecue Sauce
Sweet, smoky and the perfect combination of Canadian and British flavours, Stokes’ Sweet & Sticky BBQ sauce has won multiple Great Taste awards for a reason. Maple syrup and horseradish combine to deliver a tangy flavour profile that delights the senses every time.
Buy now £3.45, Ocado
