5 Amazing Chicken Thigh Marinades

These are the Best Chicken Thigh Marinades with simple ingredients. Try Sesame, Chipotle, Greek, Balsamic or Honey Dijon.

I’ve always been a breast girl (I’m talking about chicken, get your head out of the gutter!) so every time I make chicken thighs I always wonder why I never make them more LOL! You’re gonna LOVE these marinades just like I do.

Why you’ll love these marinades

• Easy to make: Most of these marinades contain just five ingredients or less using pantry staples you already have at home.
• Versatility: Once your thighs are marinated, you can pair them with virtually ANY sides.
• Freezer-friendly: Marinate the chicken and freeze it for later for an easy meal prep protein option.

Ingredients for chicken thigh marinades

• Oil – use a neutral cooking oil like olive, avocado or canola oil, or a flavoured cooking oil like sesame oil.
• Seasonings – add in any seasonings or sauces of your choice like soy sauce, garlic, honey, spices and more.
• Acid – you don’t have to use an acid like lemon or lime juice for chicken thigh marinade, but it helps tenderize the meat.

How to make marinated chicken thighs

1. Make the marinade.
2. Marinate the chicken thighs.
3. Bake, grill or pan fry the chicken thighs.
4. Serve with a carb and veggie.

My favourite marinades

Pick one of the marinades below or make them all! Fold tinfoil into different sections on a sheet pan, then try a different marinade in each section. The foil will keep the marinades separate.

• Chipotle marinade: Goes well with Tex Mex dishes like Mexican rice or cowboy caviar.
• Greek marinade: It tastes delicious with tzatziki, pita bread and Greek salad or on these Greek fries.
• Garlic sesame marinade: Serve it over jasmine rice with a side of sesame coleslaw.
• Honey Dijon marinade: Keep things simple with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
• Balsamic marinade: Serve it on your fave salad or with brussels sprouts.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I marinate the chicken thighs?

You’ll want to let your chicken marinate for at least 15-20 minutes. You can leave them in longer and marinate them overnight or in the fridge during the day, but 15 to 20 minutes is the minimum to make sure they’re infused with all those yummy flavours from the marinade.

Should I use boneless or bone-in thighs?

It’s really a matter of preference. Boneless skinless chicken thighs cook a little quicker and have a lower fat content, whereas bone-in thighs have a higher calorie count but tend to be a bit cheaper.

How do I know when they’re fully cooked?

Cooked chicken thigh should be opaque throughout, with clear juices and no pinkness, especially near the bone. They’ll feel firm and spring back when pressed. It’s always helpful to use a food thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

How do I make the chicken crispy?

The skin of the chicken is what gets crispy, so if you’re using skinless thighs, they’re not going to get crispy unless you grill them. If you’re using skin-on chicken thighs and you want crispy skin, cook the thighs at 450° F on the top third of the oven, which is the hottest part of the oven. It also helps to occasionally baste the thighs with marinade.

How to prep ahead, store and reheat

Prep ahead: Refrigerate the raw chicken thighs in the marinade for up to 24 hours in the fridge. You can also make the marinade up to a week in advance and store it in the fridge.

Freeze ahead: Freeze the raw thighs in the marinade for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight then cook as normal.

Storing leftovers: Store cooked marinated chicken in the fridge for up to 5 days in airtight containers.

Reheating leftovers: Sprinkle some water over top to avoid that leftover chicken taste, place a damp paper towel over top, then microwave for 1-2 mins.

Very important note: Never reuse a marinade that is left over from marinating another meat.

Meal prep tools

• Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on using these chicken thigh marinades for meal prep lunches or dinners.
• I get all my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
• Get a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through.
• Use these Ziploc bag holders if you’re marinating the chicken then freezing it.