Because Ordinary Frozen Chicken Is Boring..
Look folks, chicken is not cheap. If you're not buying in bulk, you're paying possibly double the price. I don't know about you, but chicken sells for up to 11 dollars a pound in my area. Thats just crazy talk. Wait for sales, buy in bulk and save yourself some money (or use your saved cash to buy some quality omega 3 oils and or multivitamins!).
Do this and not only will you probably be either A) richer or B) healthier (because your now rocking some omegas and or quality multi's), but you can also whip up a few tasty marinades to blast some flavor into your chicken before it hits the freezer. Your chicken will taste.. I don't know.. 76 times better when you cook it, which will take less time because you've pre-flavored it.
The idea is simple. Mix up your favourite marindes, marinate the chicken for the desired amount of time and then freeze. To thaw, Drop them into a clean sink filled with warm water about 15 minutes before you're ready to cook. I like the fact that using a different marinade for each bag of chicken keeps your meals unique. This of course prevents cooking boredom, and will keep you cooking fresh, healthy food all the time.
You could also use this trick for pork, beef, fish or just about any meat that's about to hit the freezer. The idea is have delicious meats already pre-flavored so you can simply unthaw and cook. It takes away some of the prep work and time and will encourage you to get off the processed, convenience food.
Try using a variety of your favorite marinades. Just about anything will work here. Vinaigrettes, BBQ sauces, sweet, spicy, herby, you name it. If your low on marinade recipes, here's a few you can try:
Note: As written, these marinades will cover 2-3 chicken breasts.
Greek Marinade:
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lemon juiced and zested
2 cloves of garlic
1 tsp minced fresh rosemary
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp fresh minced oregano
salt and black pepper to taste
Sweet and Smoky Chipotle Marinade:
1-2 large chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, seeded and minced
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp white vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp brown sugar
salt and black pepper to taste
Fajita Marinade:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lime juiced and zested
1 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
salt and black pepper to taste
Vindaloo Marinade:
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp vindaloo or preferred curry paste
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 lemon juiced and zested
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp minced ginger
2 tsp chopped cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
Teriyaki Marinade:
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 small orange, juiced
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp minced ginger
16 Comments →
Reader Comments (16)
thanks for the information and the steps way on different kinds option to marinade a chicken.
Great marinated recipes! Thanks for sharing.
What I want to know is where the heck is chicken over $11 a pound?! Most expensive for me is 3 for the ultra cage free organic stuff?!
$3 a pound you say!? That's madness! (in a good way). Up here in Nova Scotia Canada, the good stuff (free range, organic) runs over $10 a pound when not on sale, which is also madness! (in a bad way).
I would love to see suggestions for what to serve with these chicken marinades. I have two on my list to make but I am not sure what to pair them with. (Greek & Teriyaki) Thanks in advance!
The pairing options are almost limitless! I personally used the teriyaki chicken in a q uick, simple stir fry. I sauteed some broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers and bean sprouts. cut the chicken into cubes and pan seared it. Made a simple sauce of chicken stock, a splash of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, chili, orange juice and spoonful of cornstarch. And of course, served over brown rice!
The Greek chicken went along side some roasted potatoes with lemon zest, salt, pepper and fresh thyme. Roasted in a small amount of sunflower oil and finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
The chipotle would go great on the grill with some corn or sweet potatoes!
Great ideas, thanks! I've never heard of $11 a pound for chicken breast. We pay $1.99 a pound....Love Kansas.
Perhaps this is a silly question..however...does one empty out the marinade before freezing or does one keep the marinade with the frozen chicken. I've always frozen the marinade with the chicken so I'm wondering if I'm doing it wrong. Thanks for your quick response. Love these marinade ideas...
The teriyaki one is SOOOOO delicious! I doubled the marinade and used half to marinate the chicken and reduced the other half over the stove with a little chili flakes and flour. I served it with rice and topped it with some toasted sesame seeds. Definitely going to be one of my go-to recipes!
Pauline, the chicken can certainly be frozen in the marinades! I myself do it this way. I'd like to note that when thawing the chicken in the water, be sure keep an eye on how long you let the thawed chicken sit in the sink. Once the chicken is thawed, you will want to use it within a couple of hours.
Ellen, I'm glad you enjoyed the marinade! Let me know if you try any of the others!
Thank you so much for the great ideas!! We're looking to eat better and this will really help both of us stay on track. :) Also, I feel your pain, we're in Ontario and chicken runs about $10 for about 3 normal sized breasts...it's sad how expensive it is to eat healthy. Now, this may sound like a silly question, but do you freeze the chicken with the marinade?
Hello,
Can I do this with already frozen chicken? I was thinking of picking up a box of breasts from Food Service. I'm not sure if it would really work the same? Thank you!
Thank you! A friend of mine pinned this to me and tonight I made the Greek Marinade! Delicious! I also used the marinade for the roasted delicata squash, sweet potatoes, yukon golds and cherry tomatoes. Dinner was a hit! Cannot wait to try the other marinades and this is a BRILLIANT IDEA!!
Thanks for sharing these marinades they sound super tasty and I can't wait to try them and see what other goodies you've got on your site!
I get the marinade together and put it in the bag with the chicken and freeze it.
After I thaw the chicken can I throw everything in a baking dish and bake it along with the marinade? Or cook it all in a skillet?