10 Tasty Ways to Cook Pre-Marinated Chicken

Co-authored by Alex Hong and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: August 7, 2024 References

Picking up a pack of pre-marinated chicken from the store can save you hours of unwanted prep time, and brings you one step closer to a delicious, savory meal. We’ve got your meal plan covered, whether you have chicken breasts, wings, legs, or tenders. Scroll through some of the recipes below and see if any appeal to you!

1

Bake marinated chicken breasts for a no-hassle meal.

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Set your oven to 400 °F (204 °C) and bake the breasts for 30-40 minutes. Arrange your marinated chicken on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, or on a greased broiler pan. Slide the sheet or pan into the oven, and let the chicken bake for at least 30 minutes.^{[1]
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- Always check the center of your chicken with a meat thermometer to make sure the cooked meat is at least 165 °F (74 °C).^{[2]
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  Trustworthy Source
  
  US Department of Agriculture
  U.S. agency responsible for promoting good agricultural practices and protecting consumers
  
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- Pair your chicken breasts with a scoop of mashed potatoes, some sliced veggies, a handful of roasted potatoes, or your other favorite sides.
- If you're cooking chicken with the skin on it, pat it dry before you bake it so the skin will get nice and crispy.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alex Hong
  Executive Chef & Restaurant Owner
  
  Expert Interview. 8 February 2019.}

2

Grill a batch of chicken breasts.

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Grilled chicken is perfect when the weather gets hot. Fire up the grill to high heat, and move your pre-marinated chicken breasts to the grill top with a pair of grill tongs. Then, grill each side of the chicken for 4 minutes, or until the meat is cooked all the way through.^{[4]
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- Just because a piece of chicken is white in the center doesn’t mean that it’s completely cooked. To be safe, always check your meat with a food thermometer.^{[5]
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- Grilled chicken tastes great when served with a refreshing helping of salad greens.

3

Sauté your chicken breasts for a tasty night in.

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Sautéed chicken breasts are ready to go in less than 10 minutes. Set an oiled, medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Then, place your marinated chicken breasts directly onto the pan. Cook each side for at least 4 minutes, or until the chicken juice in the skillet looks clear.^{[6]
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- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after you touch raw chicken.^{[7]
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  Trustworthy Source
  
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  
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- Sautéed chicken tastes great when served with some fresh greens.

4

Sear the chicken breasts until they’re golden-brown.

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Cook the chicken in a skillet, and bake it afterward. To get things started, preheat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C) and set an oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Transfer the chicken to your skillet with a clean set of tongs, letting each side cook for 3-5 minutes. Once the chicken is golden-brown, slide it in the oven on a baking sheet. Wait 10-15 minutes for the chicken to bake. Then, let the cooked meat rest for a few minutes before serving.^{[8]
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- If you’re working with skinless chicken, you only need to sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Seared chicken tastes delicious with lime wedges, cilantro, and green papaya salad.

5

Pan-fry marinated chicken breasts.

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Pan fried chicken is ready in less than 30 minutes. Oil up a skillet and place it over high heat. Then, arrange the chicken onto the pan, cooking each side for at least 10 minutes. Continue pan-frying the marinated chicken breasts until they’re nice and brown.^{[9]
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- About 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil is a good amount for pan-frying.
- Lemon slices and chopped green onions make a great garnish.
- Spinach, roasted tomatoes, and baked red potatoes taste great with pan-fried chicken.

6

Deep fry some bone-in chicken breasts to crispy perfection.

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Recreate your favorite fast food right at home. Slice the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Then, fill a deep-fryer or heavy-bottomed pot with oil, and heat it up to 340 °F (171 °C). Roll each piece of chicken in flour, and wait 2-3 minutes so the chicken can rest. Drop a few pieces of coated, marinated chicken into the oil at a time, letting them cook until they reach at least 165 °F (74 °C) on the inside.^{[10]
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- To cut your chicken, place the cutlet facedown on a cutting board. Then, slice the meat crosswise, cutting through the cartilage and bone. From then on, slice the chicken into smaller chunks.

7

Bake a batch of marinated chicken wings as a tasty appetizer.

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Whip up these chicken wings about an hour before mealtime. Start by setting your oven to 375 °F (191 °C). Then, place the marinated chicken wings in a baking dish, and slide them into the oven for about 1 hour. As the wings cook, baste them with juice a couple of times.^{[11]
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- Serve your chicken wings with fresh celery stalks and some of your favorite dipping sauces, like blue cheese or ranch.

8

Grill marinated chicken wings to perfection.

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These wings are perfect for an outdoor party. Get things started by preheating your grill to medium heat. Then, set the wings along the hot grill top with a pair of tongs. Cover your grill and let the wings cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping them over periodically. Your chicken is ready to serve once it’s crispy and golden-brown!^{[12]
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- Dunk your chicken wings in extra marinade once they’re done cooking. For instance, if your wings are marinated in barbecue sauce, you might set aside some extra sauce for dipping.

9

Cook marinated chicken legs on the grill for a quick, simple dinner.

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Set your grill to a medium-high temperature and arrange your marinated chicken legs along the grill, brushing each piece with oil and adding a pinch of salt. Let the chicken cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping the meat occasionally. Once the chicken juice looks completely clear, your meat is ready to be served.^{[13]
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10

Whip up an easy meal with grilled marinated chicken tenders.

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Chicken tenders are a great crowd-pleaser. Start by oiling your grill and setting it to medium heat. Then, place all the marinated chicken tenders on the grill, letting them cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Serve and enjoy your delicious chicken tenders once they’re at least 165 °F (74 °C) throughout.^{[14]
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- Potato salad, roasted broccolini, grilled corn, and mashed potatoes are just a few tasty sides you can serve with your tenders.^{[15]
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Tips

If you have any leftover chicken, store it in your refrigerator or freezer within 2 hours. If you’re serving the chicken outside during very hot weather, store the meat within 1 hour.^{[16]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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