5 Easy Chicken Marinades Perfect for the Summer

Chicken is one of my favorite proteins for easy summer meals—it’s versatile, quick to cook, and always a crowd-pleaser. The secret to making it truly delicious often lies in the marinade. Today, I’m sharing five simple chicken marinades that are perfect for summer, using just a handful of core spices: peppercorns, curry powder, cumin, coriander, and paprika. With these basic spices, you can whip up a variety of flavorful marinades that keep your spice shelf simplified—and make juicy, tasty chicken that kids and adults alike will love.

Jump to:

• Common Ingredients in These Marinades
• Recipe 1: Lemon Garlic Marinade
• Recipe 2: Greek Yogurt Marinade
• Recipe 3: Indian Tandoori Marinade
• Recipe 4: Honey Curry Peppercorn Marinade
• Recipe 5: Vietnamese Garlic Lemongrass Marinade
• Instructions for All Marinades
• Notes
• Leave a Comment

Common Ingredients in These Marinades

These easy marinades use several key ingredients to enhance taste and tenderness:

• Oil: Adds richness and ensures even distribution of the marinade.
• Acid: Lemon juice and yogurt tenderize the meat and amplify the flavors.
• Aromatics: Garlic and ginger provide robust, distinctive flavors.
• Herbs and Spices: Offer depth, aroma, and complexity.
• Sweetener: Honey balances the acidity and adds a touch of sweetness.

Recipe 1: Lemon Garlic Marinade

• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons parsley or cilantro, chopped
• 4 cloves grated garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground peppercorn
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe 2: Greek Yogurt Marinade

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 cloves grated garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon ground peppercorn
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe 3: Indian Tandoori Marinade

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 cloves grated garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe 4: Honey Curry Peppercorn Marinade

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves grated garlic
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt

Recipe 5: Vietnamese Garlic Lemongrass Marinade

• 2 tablespoons lemongrass, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 cloves grated garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon peppercorn, crushed
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions for All Marinades

1. In a bowl, combine and blend all ingredients until well mixed.
2. Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it is thoroughly coated.
3. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for a richer flavor.
4. Remove chicken from the marinade and discard any excess. Grill, bake, or sauté until fully cooked, with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). For grilling or baking, cook at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 45 minutes.

Notes

• These recipes are ideal for marinating a whole chicken, chicken thighs, chicken legs or chicken breasts, up to 3 pounds.
• If you have kids or cannot handle spicy food, you can skip the cayenne pepper and replace the crushed peppercorn with ½ teaspoon of ground peppercorn for a milder flavor.

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Leave a Comment

Which marinade are you excited to try? We’d love to hear your thoughts and any creative tweaks you’ve made to these recipes. Got a favorite marinade of your own? Drop it in the comments below!