should you marinate chicken before bbq

Should You Marinate Chicken Before BBQ? The Key to Flavorful and Juicy Grilled Chicken

Barbecuing chicken is a beloved summer tradition for many backyard grill masters. However, achieving perfectly juicy and flavorful chicken off the grill can be tricky. That’s why many backyard chefs swear by marinating their chicken before tossing it over the hot coals. But is marinating chicken before BBQ really necessary? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the reasons why marinating can make all the difference for grilled chicken.

The Benefits of Marinating Chicken for the BBQ
There are several compelling reasons why taking the time to marinate chicken prior to barbecuing can pay off in terms of both flavor and texture.

Infuses the Chicken with Flavor
The number one benefit of marinating poultry is that it allows you to infuse the chicken with extra flavor. The marinade – which is typically a mixture of oil, acid, herbs, spices and seasonings – works to tenderize the chicken while permeating it with taste. This gives you the power to add any profile you want – from zesty citrus to smoky barbecue.

Makes the Chicken Extra Juicy and TenderMarinades often use acidic ingredients like vinegar citrus juice or yogurt. The acids in these ingredients work to break down the tough muscle fibers in the chicken helping to make the meat much more tender and juicy after grilling. No more chewing through dry, stringy chicken!

Forms a Flavorful CrustAs the marinated chicken cooks over the hot grill, the sugars and proteins in the marinade will caramelize on the outside of the meat to form an incredibly delicious and flavorful crust or char This adds texture and taste to every bite.

Locks in Moisture
Oil is a key ingredient in most marinades for chicken. Adding oil helps to keep the chicken nice and moist during cooking by creating a protective barrier on the outside of the meat. No more dried out barbecue chicken!

Now that you know why taking the extra step to marinate chicken can really pay off in terms of flavor and texture, let’s look at some tips for doing it right.

Tips for Marinating Chicken for the Grill

1. Choose Your Marinade Base Wisely

The foundation of your marinade will depend on what flavor profile and texture you’re going for. Here are some excellent bases to consider:

• Olive oil, vegetable oil or canola oil – for adding moisture

• Lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, vinegar – for tenderizing and adding flavor

• Yogurt or buttermilk – tenderizes and adds tang

• Soy sauce, teriyaki, Worcestershire sauce – for salty, umami flavors

• Tomato sauce or juice – for a touch of sweet and tangy

• Hot sauce – for spiciness and flavor

• Store-bought salad dressings – for quick and easy marinades

1. Season Generously
   Don’t be shy about adding herbs, spices, garlic, shallots, etc. to punch up the flavor of the marinade. Consider:

• Rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil – fresh herbs are best

• Chili powder, cumin, curry powder, five-spice – spice it up

• Minced garlic, grated ginger – aromatic flavors

• Dijon or whole-grain mustard – zing!

1. Give it Time
   For best results, cover your chicken and let it hang out in the marinade as long as possible – ideally overnight if you can plan ahead. At least 2-6 hours in the marinade is best to let the flavors really penetrate.

2. Marinate in the Fridge
   To avoid bacteria growth, always marinate in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.

3. Don’t Reuse Marinade
   Once the raw chicken has soaked in the marinade, don’t reuse it as a sauce later due to contamination risk.

Great Marinade Ideas for BBQ Chicken

Now let’s look at some amazing marinade recipes that will take your grilled chicken to new heights of flavor:

1. Greek Yogurt Marinade

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Asian Ginger Marinade

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

1. Chile Lime Marinade

• Juice of 2 limes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Cilantro, salt and pepper

1. BBQ Marinade

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika

1. Tuscan Marinade

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

Marinating Alternatives: Dry Rubs and Brining
For those who don’t want to bother with a wet marinade, a dry rub is an excellent alternative to flavor your chicken before grilling. Simply coat the chicken evenly with a mixture of dried herbs, spices, salt, pepper and sugar before BBQing.

You can also brine chicken before grilling for added moisture and flavor. To brine chicken, soak it for 1-2 hours in a saltwater solution (1/4 to 1/2 cup salt per quart of water is a good ratio) with desired seasonings.

Grilling Your Marinated Chicken Perfectly
To get the most out of your marinated chicken, follow these grilling tips:

• Pat the chicken dry first before putting over direct heat to help get an initial sear.

• Use medium-high heat on a clean, well-oiled grill grate.

• Try to keep smaller pieces like breasts and wings over more direct heat. Cook larger pieces like thighs and legs over indirect heat.

• Flip only once during cooking. Frequent flipping will cause you to lose that nicely charred crust.

• Brush on a little extra marinade or sauce during the last 5 minutes of grilling if you want to add more flavor.

• Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier meat.

Take the Guesswork out of Grilled Chicken

As you can see, marinating chicken before throwing it on the barbecue grill can really make all the difference in flavor, juiciness and tenderness. With a well-chosen marinade and proper grilling technique, you’ll take the guesswork out of grilled chicken. Your summer BBQs will be filled with rave reviews over your incredibly moist, char-grilled chicken bursting with flavor. Give marinating a try for your next cookout – your taste buds will thank you!