Chicken Lickin' Good - A Marinade Recipe

by Dave Donovan

A well-made marinade does two things---it keeps the meat juicy and tender during cooking and it infuses flavor throughout the meat. If you don’t believe the hype, when you try this marinade recipe, leave one piece of chicken out of the marinade and see how it stands up to the flavorful chicken you’ll get from this recipe.

A proper marinade needs an acid, like vinegar, lemon or wine, to help tenderize the meat. As the acid tenderizes, the flavor from the herbs are absorbed by the oil and dispersed through the chicken. Balancing out the acid with the oil and by adding the right amount of herbs and seasonings, you can ensure a dinner to be remembered.

Here’s an easy to follow marinade recipe that is simple to make, yet provides a complex array of delicious flavors.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup of Olive Oil
• 1 tablespoon of Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of Fresh Rosemary
• 1 teaspoon of Fresh Thyme

It’s best to use the fresh herbs over dried herbs since the flavor is much more pronounced. Combine all of the ingredients in a glass bowl.

Tip: Do not use a metal bowl or pan for the marinating process as the vinegar may react with it. It is best to use plastic, glass or a Ziploc bag for the best results.

Salt and pepper the chicken, then coat it in the marinade and allow it to sit in the refrigerator. Large pieces of meat, like a whole chicken, should be left to marinate for a few hours or even overnight. Smaller cuts can marinate for 30 minutes to an hour for a great result.

During the marinade process, turn the chicken every once in a while so every piece is fully marinated.

After the marinade process is done, simply cook your chicken the way you usually do and throw out the remaining marinade---Do Not Re-Use! This particular marinade works especially well if you plan to grill the chicken on a barbeque. The Balsamic vinegar caramelizes into a tangy, sweet delight.

This marinade can be used on either chicken or fish for a sweet, tangy flavor. I guarantee, once you bite into a piece of chicken that was marinated with this recipe, you won’t give the piece of non-marinated chicken a second glance or a first taste!

Dave Donovan is a freelance copywriter living in Atco, N.J. An electrician for 15 years, an injury forced him to pursue his true passion - writing.