BBQ Chicken Marinade (Freezer Meal)
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Today is the last recipe in my grilling marinade series, and it is such a good one to end on. Of course, you can always grill chicken and brush it with barbecue sauce at the end; it’s still delicious. But taking the extra step of marinating the chicken in a flavorful barbecue marinade first makes it even better. The chicken picks up so much more flavor before it ever hits the grill, and then finishing it with a layer of barbecue sauce takes it over the top.
To make this barbecue marinade work well, you combine barbecue sauce with a little olive oil to create a flavorful base that coats the chicken nicely. Then you build on that even more with salt, pepper, and a few extra spices to give the chicken even more depth and flavor. For this version, I used chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts, which I really like because they soak up the marinade even more and cook faster on the grill. That makes them a great option for an easy summer dinner.
As with all the marinades I have shared in this series, they can be made ahead and frozen, making them a great option for summer dinners. All you need to do is pull one out of the freezer the night before, place it in the refrigerator to thaw, and by the next day, the chicken is marinated and ready for the grill.
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Marinade
- OLIVE OIL – Olive oil helps thin the barbecue sauce just enough to turn it into a marinade that coats the chicken well. It also adds a little richness and helps keep the chicken moist as it cooks.
- BBQ SAUCE – BBQ sauce is the main flavor in this marinade and gives the chicken that sweet, smoky, tangy taste everyone loves. It also helps create a delicious glaze on the chicken as it grills.
- CHILI POWDER – Chili powder adds a little extra depth and a mild kick of flavor. It helps give the marinade a bolder barbecue-style taste.
- SMOKED PAPRIKA – Smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky flavor that works really well with the barbecue sauce. It helps make the chicken taste even more like it has been cooked low and slow.
- FRESH GARLIC – Garlic adds savory flavor and helps balance the barbecue sauce’s sweetness. It gives the marinade even more richness and depth.
- SALT – Salt helps bring out all of the other flavors in the marinade and seasons the chicken well. Even with the barbecue sauce, a little salt helps everything taste more balanced.
- PEPPER – Pepper adds just a little bite and rounds out the marinade’s flavor. It is a simple ingredient, but it helps give the chicken a more complete seasoning.
- BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS OR TENDERS – Boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders both work well in this recipe. Chicken breasts are hearty and satisfying, while tenders soak up the marinade especially well and cook a little faster on the grill.
Instructions for BBQ Chicken Marinade Recipe
Start by adding all of the marinade ingredients, except the chicken, to a gallon-size freezer bag. Seal the bag partway and gently mix everything together until the barbecue marinade is well combined.
Next, place chicken in the bag. Press out as much air as possible, then seal the bag completely. Gently move the chicken around in the bag so each piece is evenly coated in the bbq marinade.
If you are meal prepping, place the bag in the freezer until you are ready to use it. About 24 hours before you plan to grill the chicken, remove the bag from the freezer and place it on a plate or shallow dish in the refrigerator to thaw. As the chicken thaws, it will marinate, making dinner prep even easier. Once thawed, discard the marinade and grill the chicken until it is fully cooked.
If you are making it right away, place the bag in the fridge. Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. The longer it marinates, the more flavor it will have. When you are ready to cook, discard the marinade and grill the chicken. Grill over medium to medium-high heat until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees. You can brush on extra bbq sauce as it finishes on the grill if desired. This recipe serves 4.
Frequently Asked Questions with Answers
Can I use chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Chicken tenders work really well in this recipe. They soak up the marinade nicely and usually cook faster on the grill.
Do I have to grill the chicken?
No. Grilling is a great option, but you can also bake the chicken, cook it in a skillet, or use an air fryer.
Why add extra barbecue sauce at the end?
Brushing on extra barbecue sauce near the end of cooking adds even more flavor and gives the chicken that classic sticky barbecue finish.
Can I use any type of barbecue sauce?
Yes. Use your favorite barbecue sauce, whether it is sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy. The sauce’s flavor will have a big impact on the final taste.
Does the barbecue sauce make the chicken burn easily?
It can brown quickly because of the sugar in the sauce, so it is best to grill over medium to medium-high heat and brush on extra sauce near the end of cooking.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless skinless chicken thighs are another great option and work well with this marinade.
Can I reuse the marinade after the chicken has been in it?
No. Once the marinade has been in contact with raw chicken, it should be discarded.
How long does it take to grill the chicken?
Boneless skinless chicken breasts usually take about 10 to 14 minutes total on a medium to medium-high grill, depending on thickness. Tenders may cook a little faster. Always cook the chicken until its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
What can I serve with BBQ chicken?
It pairs well with side dishes like pasta salad, potato salad, grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, baked beans, or fresh fruit.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. This is a great make-ahead recipe, whether you refrigerate it to marinate for the next day or freeze it for later.
Tips and Tricks
- Use a freezer bag. It makes the chicken easy to coat and works well for meal prep.
- Marinate as long as you can. More time in the marinade means more flavor.
- Use chicken tenders for quicker cooking. They cook faster and soak up the marinade really well.
- Do not grill over heat that is too high. The sugar in the barbecue sauce can cause the chicken to brown too quickly.
- Brush on extra barbecue sauce at the end. This gives the chicken even more flavor and a great barbecue finish.
FOR MORE Chicken RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
BBQ Chicken Marinade (Freezer Meal)
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or equal amount of chicken tenders
Instructions
- Start by adding all of the marinade ingredients, except the chicken, to a gallon-size freezer bag. Seal the bag partway and gently mix everything together until the marinade is well combined.
- Next, add the chicken to the bag. Press out as much air as possible, then seal the bag completely. Gently knead the bag with your hands so the chicken is evenly coated in the barbecue marinade.
- If you are meal prepping, place the bag in the freezer until you are ready to use it. About 24 hours before you plan to grill the chicken, remove the bag from the freezer and place it on a dish in the refrigerator to thaw. As the chicken thaws, it will marinate at the same time. Once it is thawed, discard the marinade and grill the chicken until it is nearly fully cooked. During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with extra barbecue sauce and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- If you are making it right away, place the bag in the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. The longer it marinates, the more flavor it will have. When you are ready to cook, discard the marinade and grill the chicken until it is almost done. Then brush it with extra barbecue sauce and let it finish cooking on the grill until fully cooked. This recipe serves 4.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Fit Foodie Finds.
