3 Ingredient Chicken Marinade (2024)

The best chicken marinade recipe has only 3 ingredients, taking the guesswork out of a flavorful marinade. How? By using highly flavorful ingredients to start with, you don't need to add a little of this and a little of that to achieve wonderful flavor!

This chicken marinate has only 3 ingredients: Italian Salad Dressing, Allegro Marinade, and minced garlic. The Italian salad dressing adds a tangy kick, while the Allegro marinade adds a touch of smokiness and tenderizes. The minced garlic ties everything together with more flavor and adds a little texture, too.

This super easy marinade makes the best baked boneless skinless chicken thighs! Or throw them on your grill or griddle with your favorite sides (such as grilled corn on the cob) for an easy meal!

Ingredients You'll Need

Italian Salad Dressing - the zesty version is more flavorful so reach for that one.

Allegro Marinade - I just love this stuff! The tangy, smokey flavor is so amazing, that I use it in my Southern Meatloaf. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it.

Minced Garlic - use the minced garlic that comes in a jar. It's as close to fresh minced garlic without all the chopping.

Chicken Thighs - use the boneless skinless chicken thighs. They'll cook faster than the bone-in thighs and without the skin, the marinade can soak into the meat better.

Using chicken thighs ensures juicy chicken;sometimes chicken breasts tend to dry out if you overcook them in the slightest way. However, thighs don't try out very easily and that's what makes them nearly foolproof! I use them in my One Pot Chicken and Rice and they're always tender and juice.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you can't find the Allegro marinade, you can use low sodium soy sauce instead; it won't be as flavorful as the Allegro but it will work the same.

This marinade is also great with other cuts of chicken such as breasts and drumsticks, and it's perfect for steaks or venison.

How to Make It

Step 1 - Blend the salad dressing, Allegro marinade, and garlic in a small bowl.

Step 2 - Add chicken thighs in a single layer to a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade into the bag.

Step 3 - Marinate the chicken for 4-8 hours (turn chicken over halfway through the marinate time. Place the thighs on a sheet pan and bake as directed.

Step 4 - Serve with roasted potatoes and steamed broccoli, if desired.

What to Serve with Marinated Chicken

Here are some suggestions on what to serve with this chicken, but it goes great with endless side dish possibilities!

Baked Beans with Ground Beef and Bacon

Lightened Up Broccoli Salad

Southern Fried Potatoes and Onions

Easy Mac and Cheese

Make Ahead and Freezing Marinade

This marinade can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Keep it in a jar or another type of container with a lid.

You can also freeze it for longer storage, ensuring you have a quick and flavorful option for your busy days. Use it within 3 months.

Can I marinate the chicken for too long?

Four to six hours works best for this recipe, but any amount of time is better than none at all. If you don't have a lot of time, try at least 30 minutes to let the flavors seep in. Overnight marination can intensify the taste but it can also change the texture of the meat.

Can marinated chicken be frozen?

Yes! Freezing the raw marinated chicken allows you to prepare it in advance, saving you time and ensuring you have a flavorful meal ready to go whenever you need it. When you're ready to cook, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator. As it thaws, the chicken will continue to marinate, enhancing the flavors. Make sure to follow food safety guidelines and never thaw chicken at room temperature.

Can I reuse the marinade?

It's not recommended because the marinade is in with the raw chicken and there could be some bacteria in it. I would not reuse it; rather if you want to baste the chicken with some marinade while it cooks, just reserve some of it (¼ cup) before you put the chicken in with it.