How to Cook Marinated Chicken in the Oven: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Marinated chicken cooked in the oven is a quick, easy, and delicious dinner option. The marinade infuses flavor and helps keep the chicken juicy, while oven baking provides even cooking with crisp, golden brown skin. With just a few basic ingredients and simple steps, you can have flavorful homemade marinated oven-baked chicken on the table in under an hour.

Why Marinate Chicken Before Baking?

Marinating chicken before baking provides a few key benefits

• Flavor – The marinade allows you to infuse herbs, spices, acids, oils, and other flavorings into the chicken. This adds a big flavor boost compared to plain baked chicken.

• Tenderness – Acidic marinade ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, and yogurt help tenderize the chicken by slightly breaking down the proteins.

• Moisture – Oil yogurt, and other moist ingredients in the marinade help keep the baked chicken juicy.

• Browning – Sugars or acidic ingredients in the marinade promote caramelization and crispy browned skin during baking.

Tips for the Best Marinated Oven Baked Chicken

Follow these tips for foolproof, delicious marinated oven chicken every time:

• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken – The bones and skin help keep the meat moist and flavorful. Try chicken thighs or drumsticks.

• Make sure the marinade coats the chicken fully – Place chicken in a sealed plastic bag or baking dish to maximize coverage.

• Marinate for at least 2 hours (or up to 24) – Short marinating times don’t allow the flavor to permeate fully.

• Pat chicken dry before baking – This helps ensure crispy browned skin by removing excess moisture.

• Bake at a high temp (400°F) – The initial high heat helps the skin get crispy and brown.

• Check for doneness with a meat thermometer – Chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.

• Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes before serving – Letting it rest allows juices to redistribute so chicken stays moist.

How to Make a Simple Marinated Chicken

This easy recipe shows how to make simple, delicious marinated oven baked chicken.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 tsp pepper

Steps:

1. In a resealable plastic bag or baking dish, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and turn to coat. Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate 2-24 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.

3. Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Discard excess marinade.

4. Place chicken on the rack and bake 25-35 minutes, until skin is browned and chicken is 165°F.

5. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Alternative Easy Marinade Ideas

The basic formula is an acid, oil, and seasoning. Get creative with these easy marinade ideas:

• Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, pepper

• Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, brown sugar

• Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, Dijon

• Buttermilk, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, lime

• Apple cider vinegar, vegetable oil, maple syrup, thyme

How Long to Bake Marinated Chicken?

Baking times vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. Use these general guidelines:

• Boneless chicken breasts – Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes

• Bone-in chicken breasts – Bake at 400°F for 25-35 minutes

• Boneless chicken thighs – Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes

• Bone-in chicken thighs – Bake at 375°F for 35-45 minutes

• Chicken drumsticks – Bake at 375°F for 40-50 minutes

Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F.

Should You Broil the Chicken to Finish?

For extra crispy skin, you can broil the chicken for 1-3 minutes at the very end of baking. Keep a close eye to avoid burning. Broiling works best for bone-in chicken where the skin won’t overcook quickly.

Can You Bake Frozen Marinated Chicken?

You can absolutely marinate frozen chicken while it thaws in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate the meat. Just allow extra thawing time.

However, don’t marinate chicken at room temperature—this raises the risk of bacterial growth.

Common Marinated Baked Chicken Mistakes

Watch out for these common missteps:

• Overcrowding – Leave space between chicken pieces for even cooking.

• Under-baking – Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

• Over-marinating – Beyond 24 hours can make chicken mushy.

• Reusing marinade – Don’t reuse raw marinade due to bacteria risk.

• Not letting chicken rest – Resting helps keep chicken moist.

Cooking Safely with Marinades

When working with raw chicken and marinades, follow these food safety tips:

• Always marinate in the refrigerator, never room temperature.

• Don’t reuse marinade after raw chicken has been in it.

• Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.

• Wash anything that touched raw chicken, like dishes, utensils, hands, etc.

Oven-Baked Marinated Chicken Breasts

For a leaner option, try marinated oven-baked chicken breasts. Follow the same process as above, but reduce baking time to 20-25 minutes at 400°F until chicken is 165°F. Monitor carefully to avoid overcooking.

Marinated Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are very well suited to marinating and oven baking. The fat and connective tissue keep them moist and flavorful. Follow the instructions above, baking bone-in thighs for 35-45 minutes at 375°F.

Make-Ahead Marinated Chicken

You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead in the refrigerator. This allows more time for the flavors to deepen and penetrate. Just be sure to discard used marinade before baking.

Reheating Leftover Marinated Chicken

Leftover baked marinated chicken keeps well for 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. Microwaving works too—just be sure chicken reaches 165°F.

Serving Suggestions for Baked Marinated Chicken

Baked marinated chicken pairs well with:

• Rice or roasted potatoes
• Fresh green salad or roasted veggies
• Warm bread or rolls
• Yogurt-based dip or sauce

More Useful Tips for Marinated Oven Baked Chicken

• For extra flavor, brush with some reserved marinade several times during baking.

• Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Insert into thickest section, avoiding bone.

• Bake marinated vegetables like onions, carrots, peppers alongside the chicken.

• If the marinade is too salty, dilute with water, stock, or a touch of sweetness.

• Prevent skin sticking by greasing the pan or lining with parchment.

• Pierce chicken a few times with a fork before marinating to help flavors penetrate.

• Try different vinegars like balsamic, cider, wine for various flavor profiles.

• For a sauce, boil reserved marinade briefly to kill bacteria before serving.

Marinating and oven baking chicken is easy, fast, and infuses delicious flavor. With a simple marinade, baking at a high temp, and monitoring doneness, you can have juicy, tender, flavor-packed chicken any night of the week. Get creative with marinade ingredients tailored to your taste.

After marinating chicken, you can cook it using various methods like grilling, baking, pan-frying, or air frying. Before cooking, it’s recommended to remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it dry to ensure proper browning and prevent steaming.

The ideal baking temperature for chicken depends on the cut and desired outcome.