Chicken is one of the most versatile foods you could ask for in a kitchen.
The meat is moist and succulent and can be cooked in a variety or ways, whether it’s thighs or breasts.
You can bake it, fry it, chunk it up for stew, skewer it, grill it – the possibilities are endless.
One popular way to use chicken is to marinate it. By doing this, the flavor soaks into the chicken so the taste is not simply surface level. Marinades also protect the meat from drying out.
Here are three delicious and unique marinades to try to spice up your chicken-centric dinner this week.
Pepper Jelly Glaze
Pepper jelly is a preserve made with peppers, sugar, and salt in a pectin or vinegar base that comes in many different flavors. This depends upon both the type of pepper you use as well as the type of flavoring.Mango pepper jelly, jalapeno pepper jelly, and bourbon pepper jelly are just some of many flavors to choose from.
Pepper jelly is also easy to make at home, but if you’re in a pinch you can always buy a jar at your local supermarket.
No matter your flavor, combine one-third cup of pepper jelly, one-third cup of Dijon mustard, and one-third cup of honey for every four chicken breasts you’re making.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange your chicken breasts in a baking dish that allows them to not be overcrowded.
Pour the pepper jelly mixture over the breasts, fully coating them. Reserve some of the mixture for basting later on. This is a quick marinade, so they need only sit at minimum for a half hour.
Bake the dish uncovered for one hour, basting with the pepper jelly halfway through.
A Little Bit of Everything
With nine ingredients, this marinade brings a depth of flavor to the dish. In a bowl, whisk together one-third cup extra virgin olive oil, three tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, two tablespoons balsamic vinegar, one-quarter cup brown sugar, one tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, three minced cloves of garlic, and one teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
The soy and Worcestershire sauce add saltiness to the dish, while the brown sugar give it a sweetness and helps form a nice crunchy crust to the outside of the chicken.
Add two pounds of chicken breasts or thighs to a plastic bag with the marinade. Though you can get away with marinating for only 30 minutes, aim for four to five hours to achieve a great taste.
Again, bake at 350 for one hour, or until chicken is cooked through.
Buttermilk and Herb
The buttermilk helps to tenderize the meat in this marinade. Combine one cup of low-fat buttermilk with one tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Put the marinade with four chicken breasts in a sealed container and let sit in the refrigerator overnight. Grill over medium heat, five to eight minutes per side or until chicken is cooked through.
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