Have you ever stood in front of an empty fridge in the morning and realized that you’re out of groceries and will need to pick some up for dinner? This is usually when I just sigh and decide on take-out because grocery shopping after a long day at work isn’t exactly in my schedule.
Enter: the freezer marinade. Grab it from the freezer and let it thaw out in the fridge while you’re at work! Marinades are amazing at turning meat into flavourful, moist meals that can be stored in your freezer for up to four months. AKA you spend a couple minutes prepping these freezer friendly chicken marinades and you are ready to go for the next four months!
What Does “Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinades” Even Mean?
To marinade something means soaking it. Marinating something essentially turns whatever you’re marinating into a flavour bomb. Freezer friendly means these chicken marinades can be stored in your freezer for up to four months until you’re ready to use them. Marinating meat for a couple hours makes it delicious but thawing it out overnight in the marinate recipes means the chicken will be next level delicious! Today I have 7 super easy freezer friendly chicken marinates for you down below.
The Marinade Formula: Meat + Marinade + Cook = Flavour Bomb
So how does this whole chicken marinating thing work? You pick your cut of meat (chicken breast – whole or diced, thighs, wings, drumsticks, etc), you pick your marinade (I’d like to think that mine are the best chicken marinades out there ;) ), and then you cook it! I’ve read about both baking and grilling but I’ve only tested these out with baking. All of mine went straight into the freezer to freeze but if you don’t have time to marinate the chicken overnight, you can usually get some pretty good flavours from two hours in the fridge.
How To Cook These Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinades
I bake mine in parchment paper to seal in the flavour and moisture. I make a little envelope by folding the parchment paper in half and then folding the edges in like I do with my freezer friendly beef empanadas (video instructions on folding empanadas can be found there)!
Freezer Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes
An alternative is to just toss them directly into the Instant Pot! I love how my Instant Pot can cook frozen chicken without thawing so if I ever forget to thaw my chicken marinades, the Instant Pot is a dinner saver. All you have to do is add one cup of water into the Instant Pot with the frozen chicken marinade!
Note: I used chicken breast and each chicken breast was just under 9 oz
Are These Freezer Marinades Healthy?
I’d consider these to be healthy chicken breast marinades! They’re quick, easy, and made with minimal ingredients. I also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for these marinades as it is low in fat and a good source of protein. However, you are welcome to substitute them with other chicken parts such as thighs or drumsticks.
Can You Marinate Frozen Chicken?
Technically yes, but I avoid doing it. I find that marinades don’t penetrate frozen chicken as well. Plus as the chicken thaws, you may notice extra liquid from the chicken – this will dilute your marinade as well. However, you should not thaw, marinade, re-freeze chicken so if you have no other choice, then go for it. The chicken will however only be marinating while the chicken thaws before cooking (as it can’t penetrate frozen chicken)
Can these Marinades be Used Without Freezing Them?
Yup! Marinate your chicken for 2-4 hours in the fridge if you prefer!
The Tools to Prep for Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinades
- Ziploc Freezer Quart Bags
- Tongs
- Pyrex Simply Store 11 cup Food Storage Dish (to store in the freezer)
- Bag Holders (makes it easier to put your marinade and chicken in without letting the raw chicken touch the seal of the ziploc bag. alternatively, fold the top half of the bag inside out.)
- Sharpie (please mark the dates on the bag!)
7 Easy Healthy Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinades
Honey Garlic Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Serve this with/ideas:
Honey Garlic Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
Per 9 oz chicken breast
- 1.5 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1.5 tbsp olive or canola oil
- 4 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty ziploc freezer bag. Add chicken breast(s) into the back and move it around instead of the bag once closed to coat the chicken in the marinade.
Marinate
- If placing in the fridge, marinate 2-4 hours before baking. If freezing, place it into the freezer immediate.
To Bake
- Let the chicken thaw in the ziploc bag inside the fridge overnight.
- Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
For the Instant Pot
- From frozen: place into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water (or broth) and pressure cook for 8-9 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breast) and then Quick Release when done.
Lemon Parsley Garlic Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Lemon Parsley Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
Per 9 oz chicken breast
- 1 handful parsley
- 3.5 tbsp olive or canola oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 juice lemon
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
- 2 tbsp srirach
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty ziploc freezer bag. Add chicken breast(s) into the back and move it around instead of the bag once closed to coat the chicken in the marinade.
Marinate
- If placing in the fridge, marinate 2-4 hours before baking. If freezing, place it into the freezer immediate.
To Bake
- Let the chicken thaw in the ziploc bag inside the fridge overnight.
- Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
Instant Pot
- From frozen: place into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water (or broth) and pressure cook for 8-9 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breast) and then Quick Release when done.
Lemon Pesto Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Serve this with/ideas:
Lemon Pesto Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
Per 9 oz chicken breast
- 4.5 tbsp pesto sauce
- 1 tbsp olive or canola oil
- 1/2 juice lemon
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty ziploc freezer bag. Add chicken breast(s) into the back and move it around instead of the bag once closed to coat the chicken in the marinade.
Marinate
- If placing in the fridge, marinate 2-4 hours before baking. If freezing, place it into the freezer immediate.
To Bake
- Let the chicken thaw in the ziploc bag inside the fridge overnight.
- Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
Instant Pot
- From frozen: place into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water (or broth) and pressure cook for 8-9 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breast) and then Quick Release when done.
Sriracha Lime Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
For this marinade, I use a sriracha lime seasoning (similar product) – if that’s not available to you, use sriracha sauce and lime juice!
Honey Sriracha Lime Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
With Sriracha Lime Seasoning per 9 oz chicken breast
- 2 tbsp sriracha lime powder
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp honey
Without Sriracha Lime Seasoning per 9 oz chicken breast
- 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 1/2 juice lime
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty ziploc freezer bag. Add chicken breast(s) into the back and move it around instead of the bag once closed to coat the chicken in the marinade.
Marinate
- If placing in the fridge, marinate 2-4 hours before baking. If freezing, place it into the freezer immediate.
To Bake
- Let the chicken thaw in the ziploc bag inside the fridge overnight.
- Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
Instant Pot
- From frozen: place into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water (or broth) and pressure cook for 8-9 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breast) and then Quick Release when done.
Sweet Chili Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Sweet Chili Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
Per 9 oz chicken breast
- 3.5 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1.5 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty ziploc freezer bag. Add chicken breast(s) into the back and move it around instead of the bag once closed to coat the chicken in the marinade.
Marinate
- If placing in the fridge, marinate 2-4 hours before baking. If freezing, place it into the freezer immediate.
To Bake
- Let the chicken thaw in the ziploc bag inside the fridge overnight.
- Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
Instant Pot
- From frozen: place into the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water (or broth) and pressure cook for 8-9 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breast) and then Quick Release when done.
Sweet and Sour Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Sweet and Sour Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
Per 9 oz chicken breast
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar , Wholesome has a light version
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty ziploc freezer bag. Add chicken breast(s) into the back and move it around instead of the bag once closed to coat the chicken in the marinade.
Marinate
- If placing in the fridge, marinate 2-4 hours before baking. If freezing, place it into the freezer immediate.
To Bake
- Let the chicken thaw in the ziploc bag inside the fridge overnight.
- Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
Notes
Yogurt Curry Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
- yogurt is great as a base for marinades because it’ll tenderize the meat.
- take out the honey and brown sugar and sub the curry powder with olive oil and garam masala and bam, you got yourself a Yogurt Garam Masala.
Yogurt Curry Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
Per 9 oz chicken breast
- 3 tbsp whole milk yogurt
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1.5 tbsp curry powder
- 1.5 tbsp honey
- 1/2 juice lime
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty ziploc freezer bag. Add chicken breast(s) into the back and move it around instead of the bag once closed to coat the chicken in the marinade.
Marinate
- If placing in the fridge, marinate 2-4 hours before baking. If freezing, place it into the freezer immediate.
To Bake
- Let the chicken thaw in the ziploc bag inside the fridge overnight.
- Bake at 425F for 25 minutes.
Notes
Have you made all of these and would like more healthy chicken marinades to try? Here are 5 more easy chicken marinades to try!
RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR MEAL PREPPING
- Meal Prep 101
- How To Cook Chicken Breasts Perfectly
- What Is An Instant Pot
- Tips To Help You Meal Prep For The Week Successfully
- Tips for Meal Prepping on a Budget
Other places to connect with me
Instagram: @carmyshungry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmyycom
Email: [email protected]
Vlogs/Recipe Videos: Youtube
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Abbey Sharp
All of these marinades look amazing! Also love that you cooked the chicken in parchment, great way to seal in the flavour and not have to use oil!
Shannon @loveatfirstbento
Thank you thank you THANK YOU for this amazing list – I sooooo needed this right now! Actually, my entire fridge/freezer just suddenly shut down the other day, so we had to get rid of all of my frozen goods and meals (very sad day), so now I’m on the lookout for some easy meal prep ideas – these freezer marinades are absolutely perfect! Love how simple they are to prepare and put together too. Just one quick question: how many pieces of chicken breast would be suitable per marinade recipe? 1 or 2? Should I double the marinade if I’m freezing two chicken breasts in it?
Carmy
Ah I’m so sorry to hear about your fridge/freezer! Each of my marinades is for 1 chicken breast (and a bit extra) so you would probably have to 1.5 or double it. I hope you’re able to get your refrigeration situation figured out!
Jessica Robinson
Love all the ideas for a yummy dinner quick! These marinates look amazing!
Tammie
I can’t wait to try these. Will the yogurt freeze well and not turn grainy once it thaws?
Carmy
It didn’t for me!
Tammie
Great, thank you!
zofia
Hi your yogart one mentions honey but not in the written one is there honey in it thank you
Carmy
Oh! I’m sorry I missed that! It’s 1.5 TBSP of honey. I’ll update it!
Ashley
How much marinade are you putting with the chicken in the parchment? Can’t wait to make these!
Carmy
It’s up to you! If you want to shake it off before baking that’s fine or you can cook it with a bit of the marinade. When I’m using it in the Instant Pot, I use all of it alongside the additional liquid to bring the IP up to pressure. I hope you enjoy! I can’t wait to hear how they come out :)
Ashley
Thank you so much!
Jannene
Great recipes. Are they suitable to bottle and use later. How long will they keep for if bottled
Carmy
Hi Jannene,
I have not tried to bottle for later use. I toss the marinade after I’ve used it.