Best Ever Paleo Chicken Marinade

Let me start with the most important fact of this recipe, My husband didn’t dip this chicken in barbecue sauce, and he dips ALL chicken in barbecue sauce. Chicken nuggets? Barbecue sauce. Grilled chicken? Barbecue sauce. Best ever paleo chicken marinade marinated chicken? No barbecue sauce! This marinade made the chicken that good. A lot of marinades I’ve come across are not paleo or gluten-free friendly because they use brown sugar and or soy sauce. This recipe achieves the same flavors but with better-for-you coconut sugar and coconut aminos.

INGREDIENTS

You can use any cut of chicken you’d like with this best ever paleo chicken marinade, the marinade ingredients will stay the same. However, the cooking time may differ from what I have in the cooking options section further down in this article.

• 1.5 – 2 lbs of chicken (I have used boneless skinless chicken breasts and boneless skinless thigh filets)

Wet ingredients:

• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos

Dry ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder

How to Make the Best Ever Paleo Chicken Marinade

Throwing this marinade together is super easy and takes about 5 minutes in total. Firstly, you’ll need some measuring spoons, a bowl, and a spoon for stirring. Secondly, gather your ingredients.

Step 1:

In a bowl, add coconut sugar, salt, pepper, rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

Step 2:

Add the red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and coconut aminos and stir everything together until the coconut sugar is dissolved and everything is mixed.

Step 3:

Place chicken in a large Ziplock bag. Pour marinade over chicken.

Step 4:

Put the Ziploc in the fridge and let it marinade for at least 30 minutes. A few hours or overnight are best!

Step 5:

Add chicken to an air fryer heated to 400°F and cook for 15-20 minutes depending on the cut of chicken you’re using. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Flip halfway through cooking.

Step 6:

Take chicken out of the air fryer and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

COOKING OPTIONS

This chicken turns out amazing when cooked in the air fryer, so I’ve included instructions for that on my recipe card. On the other hand, it turns out delicious on the grill or roasted as well!

• Grilling: Preheat the grill to medium/high heat then put a small amount of oil on the grates. Grill the marinaded chicken for about 5 minutes on each side or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. After that, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Roasting: In an oven preheated to 400°F, bake the marinaded chicken on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. After that, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Air Frying: Add marinaded chicken to an air fryer heated to 400°F and cook for 15-20 minutes depending on which cut of chicken you’re using. Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Flip halfway through cooking time. After that, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Read Also: Happy Hot Dog Octopus

Tips

• Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to infuse it with maximum flavor. For even more depth of flavor, marinate it for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• For more uniform cooking, consider pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating.
• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to achieve those perfect grill marks and ensure juicy, tender chicken.

FAQ

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

While fresh chicken is preferred for optimal flavor and texture, you can use thawed frozen chicken breasts if needed. Just be sure to fully thaw them in the refrigerator before marinating for best results.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the marinade and marinate the chicken in advance, then simply grill it when you’re ready to eat. This makes it a convenient option for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.

Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes, feel free to double or even triple the recipe to accommodate more servings. Just be sure to adjust the ingredients accordingly and use a larger dish or bag for marinating.

Can I grill the chicken indoors if I don’t have an outdoor grill?

You can use a grill pan or even a regular skillet on the stovetop to grill the chicken indoors. Just make sure to cook it over medium-high heat and adjust the cooking time as needed until the chicken is cooked through.