Last Updated on December 9, 2022 by Lauren Beck
Have you ever wanted to enjoy marinated chicken but didn’t have the time to wait for it to marinate overnight? Fortunately, there are some easy tricks you can use to speed up the marinating process
In this article, we’ll discuss the ways how to quickly and easily speed up the marinating process of your chicken.
Ways To Speed Up Marinating Chicken
- Use a Marinade Injector: If you want to get the marinade directly into the chicken, then using a marinade injector is one of the best options. This tool allows you to insert the marinade deep inside the meat and helps speed up the process considerably
- Pound The Chicken: Pound the chicken with a meat mallet or use a kitchen knife to cut slits into the chicken. This will help the marinade penetrate deeper and faster into the meat, thus speeding up the process
- Use Thinner Marinades: Thinner marinades like vinaigrettes will soak in much quicker than thicker marinades, so if you’re in a hurry try to use thinner marinades that contain oil or vinegar
- Increase The Temperature: Increasing the temperature of the marinade will help speed up how quickly the chicken absorbs it. However, be careful not to overheat your marinade as this can ruin its flavor
- Use Citrus Juice: The acidity in citrus juice, like lemon or lime, can help break down the proteins in the chicken and tenderize it faster. So if you want to speed up how quickly your chicken marinates, try adding some fresh citrus juice to the marinade
- Massage The Chicken: Massaging the chicken with the marinade helps it absorb more quickly and deeply. Make sure to cover all sides of the chicken with the marinade
- Use a Vacuum Sealer: Vacuum sealers are great for speeding up how quickly your chicken marinates as they create an airtight environment which increases how much flavor the chicken absorbs. Make sure to use a food-safe vacuum sealer when marinating your chicken
By following these steps, you can speed up how quickly your chicken marinates and enjoy delicious marinated chicken in no time! So don’t wait anymore, get started marinating right away!
What is a Marinade?
A marinade is a combination of herbs, spices, and liquids like oil, vinegar or citrus juice which helps add flavor to the chicken and tenderize it. The liquid also helps create a protective seal over the chicken and helps it stay succulent and juicy. When marinating, make sure to always use fresh ingredients and cover all sides of the chicken with the marinade for best results.
Additional Tips for Marinating
- Always marinate chicken in the refrigerator
- Make sure to use a glass or ceramic dish for marinating as metal can react with some ingredients and affect the taste of the food
- Avoid using too much salt when marinating as it can make the chicken tough
- Marinate for at least one hour before cooking, but for best results marinate overnight
- Discard any unused marinade. Do not reuse it as it can contaminate the food with bacteria from the raw chicken
How Long to Marinate Chicken?
The amount of time you marinate chicken depends on how thick the marinade is, how acidic it is and how much flavor you want in the chicken. Generally speaking, thicker marinades require longer marinating times (up to 8 hours) while thinner marinades need less time (1 to 4 hours). If you’re in a rush, you can use a few of the tricks mentioned above to speed up how quickly your chicken marinates.
How to Marinate Chicken with a Dry Rub?
A dry rub is a blend of herbs and spices that can be used to marinate chicken. To use a dry rub, mix together the ingredients in a bowl then rub all over the chicken. Make sure to cover all sides of the chicken with the dry rub and let it sit for at least 30 minutes or longer before cooking. If you want to add more flavor, you can also brush some oil onto the chicken before rubbing on the dry rub. This will help the spices stick better and give them a chance to penetrate deeper into the meat.
Is 20 Minutes Enough to Marinate?
No, 20 minutes is not enough time to marinate your chicken. Generally speaking, you should let chicken marinate for at least 1 hour or longer for best results. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the tricks mentioned above to speed up how quickly your chicken marinates. However, keep in mind that the longer your chicken marinates, the more flavor and tenderness it will have. So if you have the time, it’s best to let your chicken marinate for as long as possible for optimal results.
The Difference Between a Marinade and a Brine
A marinade is a combination of herbs, spices and liquids like oil, vinegar or citrus juice used to add flavor and tenderize chicken [1]. A brine is a solution made from salt and water which helps to infuse the chicken with moisture so it stays juicy when cooked. While both are great for making your chicken taste better and more tender, how you use them is slightly different. Marinades are best used for shorter marinating times (1 to 8 hours) while brines work better for longer periods of time (12 to 24 hours). Brining also helps with adding moisture to the chicken, whereas marinades do not. Therefore, if your goal is juicier and more flavorful chicken, it’s best to use both a marinade and a brine.
Conclusion
Marinating chicken is a great way to add flavor and make your chicken more tender. To get the most out of your marinade, make sure to use fresh ingredients, cover all sides of the chicken with the marinade and always let it sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour or longer. If you’re in a rush, you can use tricks like adding more oil, using a thicker marinade or adding acidity to speed up how quickly your chicken marinates. For optimal results, it’s best to use a combination of both a marinade and a brine. With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to create delicious, juicy chicken every time!
Reference:
- https://www.myrecipes.com/cooking-method/marinating-curing-or-brining-whats-the-difference
- What Do You Do With Pickled Garlic? - May 29, 2023
- Why Does Rice Go Bad in Rice Cooker? - May 29, 2023
- Where Is Cracker Barrel Sourdough Bread Made? - May 29, 2023