A Simple way to Marinate Frozen Chicken

Learn ways to marinate frozen chicken so you can get eating your meal sooner.

How do you marinate frozen chicken?

1. Add 1 cup of your favorite marinate to a zip-lock type of bag.
2. Add your frozen chicken breast, thighs or tenderloins
3. Zip your bag and gently move the frozen chicken so it is covered evenly with the marinate
4. Place bag in the fridge to defrost or double bag your chicken and place in cold water to defrost

Why marinate frozen chicken?

As a Wife and Mom of three kids we are often on the run in the afternoon and evening hours (or just all day long). Between the sports, youth groups and working out I often find that if I do not meal prep a bit then we are not having a healthy dinner. I have found that if I just prep a few minutes the night before or over the weekend prior to the busy week than eating healthier is quite simple.

Chicken is a good source of protein that our family loves to eat. I do typically raise around 50 Cornish cross whole birds for our family to eat but with that said I do buy chicken for the store too. We typically buy frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs from as they are great for grilling, cooking in a stir fry or just frying up on the cast iron skillet.

Why Marinate your Chicken

By adding the marinating step to chicken for grilling I have found the flavor is so much better. The meat has more flavor and it does not dry out as often chicken can get. Marinating chicken while it is still frozen just makes the meat more moist and not dry.

Chicken general rule of thumb

When dealing with chicken you need to be incredibly careful. There as there is a large temperature zone (40-140f) F that bacteria can multiply rapidly. Cooking even to the correct temp will not kill the bacteria that can make you sick. Therefore you never want to let your raw chicken get to room temperature. Another method that is strongly advised not to do is soaking the chicken in hot or warm water. There are three preferred methods you defrost your chicken.

1. Refrigerator
2. Cold Water bath
3. Microwave

Refrigerator:

The refrigerator method does take a bit longer. Most cases it can take up to two days before your chicken is fully defrosted depending on the size of the chicken you are defrosting.

To marinade frozen chicken for the BBQ or even just put on the cast iron skillet take a large gallon size plastic bag or Pyrex dish. Add the frozen chicken to your vessel of choice. Add your marinate (typically about 1 cup is enough) to the bag or pour it directly over the chicken in the dish. Move the frozen chicken around so it is evenly covered. Depending on how long you are planning on defrosting your chicken you will need to flip or move your chicken breast so the marinate stays coated on your meat.

If placing your frozen chicken marinate bag in the refrigerator place in a large Pyrex dish on a shelf in case your bag springs a leak. You can also do this with a whole chicken. For a whole chicken use a glass bowl to put the chicken in as my chickens are typically too large for a Ziploc bag. This only takes a few minutes, and you have a meal for a later date. Once it is marinated you can leave it there for up to 3 days.

Cold Water Bath:

For the cold-water bath use a large bowl of cold water or place directly in the sink. Place the frozen chicken breasts in a Ziploc sealed bag along with the marinade. Squeeze out as much air as possible without the marinate coming out. Then place a second bag over the top of the first. If the first bag has a small hole in it your marinate will leak out and water will come in.

Put your bags in the cold water NOT hot or warm water. This method is a bit quicker as it typically takes 1-2 hours till you have thawed chicken. Once again depending on the size of the chicken you are defrosting it could take longer. On this method it is strongly advised that you change the water every 30 minutes, so your water is kept at a cold temp and not getting to the room temperature.

Microwave:

Do not use this method unless necessary. That is because the chicken always starts to cook around the outside edges and the larger portions are still frozen. Often the chicken is a bit more rubbery/chewy texture. Using this method do not marinade the chicken at the same time as defrosting. If using this method to marinate wait till the chicken is defrosted. Then add the marinade and chicken to a bag and marinate for 20 minutes to 1 hour.

How to marinade your frozen chicken

Using the Gallon Ziploc Bag Method

To marinade frozen chicken using a large gallon size plastic bag first add the frozen breast to the bag and make sure that you can zip the bag completely shut. Then take the marinade and pour it into the bag. It depends on the marinade and how much chicken you have in the bag but roughly use around 1/2 a cup to 1 cup of marinade. Then zip the bag shut and shake the bag. Try to coat the chicken evenly with the marinate. Typically, I find the bags don’t leak but I always like to air on the side of caution. Try flipping and shaking the bag a few times a day as they are defrosting to make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the marinated.

Using the Glass Dish or bowl method

Using the glass bowl or dish method does help if you are trying to marinade a whole chicken as typically a whole chicken is too large for a Ziploc bag. This is also a great method if you do not like using plastic in your home or do not have a bag on hand. Simply find a glass bowl or dish that fits your frozen meat. Once the meat is placed in the dish pour over the marinade over the meat and place in the fridge to defrost. Place a lid over top or some way of covering the chicken such as some plastic wrap. Flip the chicken once or twice a day to make sure it is getting completely covered with the marinade. Once it is defrosted and marinated you can leave it there for up to 3 days.

Cooking your marinade chicken

There are several ways to cook your marinade chicken. The most popular way is to Grill but you can also cook in the oven on a baking sheet, on the stove top, in an instant pot or crockpot. Here is how I typically cook using some of these methods.

Grill Cooking:

This one of the fastest methods to cook your chicken and gives a great result. When ready to cook your chicken run out and start your gas grill or smoker and put on high to get the grills hot. Come back inside and start your sides if you have not all ready. Our family loves grilled zucchini, asparagus or bell peppers to go along with our grilled chicken. While the grill is getting hot this is a great time for slicing the vegetable. Pour a bit of olive oil over the vegetables to prevent them from sticking. Give it a sprinkle of garlic powder and salt and pepper.

Once the grill is hot (typically 10-15 minutes) throw both the vegetables and the marinated chicken on at the same time on a medium-high heat depending on your grill. Put the chicken on the grill throw away the bag your chicken breasts where in with the marinade. If using a bowl thoroughly clean the bowl with hot water and soap.

Don’t base your chicken with the marinade during the cooking process as it could have bacteria in it and if not cooked completely could make you at risk of foodborne illness. The total cooking time varies depending on what type of chicken you are cooking along with the thickness. Turn the chicken after 7-10 minutes being on the grill. Then grill on the other side for another 7-10 minutes till the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes a delicious meal in about 30 minutes time.

Stove Top

Once you have your marinated defrosted chicken you do not have to grill it. You can just put it in a pan and cook on the stove top. It typically takes about 5-8 minutes per side depending on the thickness of your chicken. When cut the juices should be clear and internal temp be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.