5-Minute Gluten-Free Chicken Marinade (3 Ways!)
These easy and versatile 5-minute gluten-free chicken marinade recipes not only impart flavor to your chicken dishes, but also create an incredibly tender texture. Throw these marinades together and elevate your cooking today!
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If you’re like me and chicken is a big thing in your family, then you’re in for a treat.
Eating chicken (almost) everyday can sometimes get boring, and even if you really love chicken, it’s also nice to cook this white meat with different flavors and jazz up dinnertime a little. Plus, when you marinate, you’ll get juicy chicken every time!
Today, I’ve got not just one, two, but THREE easy chicken marinades that you’re going to love!
We have 3 very different flavor profiles: an Asian-inspired marinade, a bright and fresh marinade leaning towards a Peruvian palatte, and a Mediterranean flavored marinade made with Italian herbs. Don’t they sound delicious?
Why You’ll Love These Gluten-Free Chicken Marinades:
- Super Simple Ingredients: The few ingredients required for these gluten-free marinades for chicken are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: Preparing each marinade only takes 5 minutes of hands-on time… how much easier does it get? Just throw the ingredients together, marinate the chicken a few hours before cooking it in the oven, grill or stovetop! How’s that for easy dinner ideas?
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that these chicken marinade recipes are 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease and gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues!
1. Honey Garlic Soy Marinade
- When to Use: Perfect for when you want something Asian-inspired, the combination of minced garlic, gluten-free soy sauce (or ‘tamari sauce’), the natural sweetness of honey and a touch of lemon juice blends together to satisfy your Asian food cravings.
- Notes & Substitutions: Swap out the gluten-free soy sauce with coconut aminos if you’re allergic to soy. Alternatively, you can substitute the honey with either agave nectar, maple syrup, or if you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I recommend using maple-flavored monkfruit sweeter (a low glycemic substitute for maple syrup or honey). You may also add in grated fresh ginger if you like.
2. Cilantro Lime Marinade
- When to Use: If you want something refreshing and bright, but also with a kick of heat (similar to the Peruvian food palette), this cilantro lime chicken marinade’s perfect. Fresh lime juice adds just enough acidity to balance out the spices, and cilantro pairs beautifully with lime. Olive oil smooths everything out.
- Notes & Substitutions: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can use parsley instead, although the flavor profile will be rather different. Increase or decrease the amount of ground paprika depending on how much heat you can tolerate or enjoy. Make sure to use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
3. Italian Herb Marinade
- When to Use: Prefer a more Mediterranean taste? Then go for this Italian herb chicken marinade that gets its rich flavor from dried herbs (think thyme, rosemary, basil and sage), garlic powder and ground paprika.
- Notes & Substitutions: If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can also use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for acidity. Make sure to use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Dish by Dish Tips:
- Chicken: I recommend using either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. You can either place use the whole piece of meat, or cut chicken pieces.
- Use Ziplock Bag or Container: If you don’t have ziplock bags (or don’t want to use one-time plastic), you can place the chicken and marinade in a glass or ceramic airtight container for marinating instead.
Gluten-Free Basics to Have at All Times:
Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes to Make:
5-Minute Gluten-Free Chicken Marinade (3 Ways!)
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These easy and versatile 5-minute gluten-free chicken marinade recipes not only impart flavor to your chicken dishes, but also create an incredibly tender texture. Throw these marinades together and elevate your cooking today!
Ingredients
Honey Garlic Soy Marinade:
- 4 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce (or coconut aminos if you’re allergic to soy)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Cilantro Lime Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Fresh cilantro to taste
Italian Herb Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Honey Garlic Soy Marinade:
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine garlic, honey, lemon juice, and gluten-free soy sauce. Taste and adjust for sweetness or saltiness.
- Marinate Chicken: Pour the honey garlic soy marinade into a zip-lock bag, add 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, seal, and shake gently. Refrigerate for 2–3 hours before cooking.
Cilantro Lime Marinade:
- Combine Ingredients: Chop cilantro. Add all ingredients into a jar with a lid. Shake well until fully mixed.
- Marinate Chicken: Pour the cilantro lime marinade into a zip-lock bag, add 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, mix to coat, seal bag and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before cooking.
Italian Herb Marinade:
- Combine Ingredients: Place all ingredients in a jar. Close the lid tightly and shake well until everything is fully combined.
- Marinate Chicken: Pour the Italian herb marinade into a zip-lock bag, add 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts and coat well, seal bag and marinate in the fridge for 2–3 hours before cooking.
Notes
Amount of Chicken: Each marinade is meant of approximately 1 pound of chicken. So increase the amount accordingly depending on how much chicken you’ll be cooking.
Marinating Time: I suggest marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours, or even up to overnight if you have time, so the chicken really absorbs the flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Marinating Time: 2 hours
- Category: Basics
