Quick Answer
Yes, you can absolutely buy pre-made marinades for chicken. There are many store-bought chicken marinade options available at grocery stores and online. Some popular flavors include garlic herb, lemon pepper, Italian dressing, teriyaki, and bbq. Buying a pre-made marinade can save time and effort compared to making one from scratch.
Store-Bought Chicken Marinade Options
There are a wide variety of pre-made chicken marinades available for purchase. Here are some of the most common types:
Grocery Store Brands
Many grocery store chains offer their own brand of chicken marinades near the meat section or condiment aisles. These are often inexpensive and come in popular flavors like garlic herb, Italian, and Greek. Some examples include Kroger, Safeway, Wegmans, and Publix chicken marinades.
Specialty Marinade Brands
In addition to generic grocery store options, there are brands devoted specifically to making marinades and sauces. Some popular specialty brands include Kraft, McCormick, Lawry’s, and Robert Rothschild Farm. They offer unique flavor varieties like pineapple teriyaki, jalapeño lime, and Tuscan herb.
International/Ethnic Marinades
International and ethnic food brands also produce pre-made marinades. These allow home cooks to easily add dishes like mojo, teriyaki, or tandoori flavors to chicken. Some examples are bottles of mojo criollo from Goya, teriyaki marinade from Kikkoman, and tikka masala sauce from Maya Kaimal.
Organic/Natural Marinades
For consumers looking for cleaner ingredients, there are many organic and all-natural chicken marinades. Companies like Brianna’s, Stonewall Kitchen, and Annie’s offer options with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Flavors include lemon garlic, herb de provence, and chimichurri.
Marinade Flavor Varieties
Store-bought chicken marinades come in a diverse range of flavors. Here are some of the most popular varieties:
- Garlic Herb – Made with garlic, herbs like parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary
- Italian – Packed with Italian herbs and spices like basil, oregano, red wine vinegar
- Greek – Olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, parsley
- Tuscan – Features sun-dried tomato, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar
- Lemon Pepper – Lemon juice, black pepper, herbs
- Jamaican Jerk – Spicy and flavorful with allspice, thyme, habanero peppers
- Teriyaki – Sweet soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame
- Korean BBQ – Gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil
- Tandoori – Yogurt, spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, paprika
- Fajita – Chili powder, cumin, garlic, lime, cilantro
Brands also offer more unique flavors like mango habanero, cajun creole, honey mustard, and pineapple teriyaki. The possibilities are endless!
Benefits of Buying Prepared Chicken Marinade
There are many advantages to purchasing a ready-made chicken marinade rather than making homemade:
- Saves time – No need to gather, measure and mix ingredients
- Saves effort – Just open, pour over chicken, and marinate
- Consistent flavor – Carefully balanced flavors from commercial kitchens
- No waste – Use only as much marinade as needed, unlike leftovers from homemade
- Safety – Manufactured in regulated, sanitary facilities
- Long shelf life – Stores for weeks or months until opened
- Fun flavors – Access to unique blends and ethnic varieties
- High quality – Often thicker and more flavorful than homemade
- Low cost – Many options under $3-$4 per bottle
Purchasing a prepared marinade takes all the work out of marinating chicken yourself. You skip the chopping, blending, and mixing but still end up with juicy, flavorful chicken. It makes whipping up tasty chicken dishes like fajitas, kabobs, or baked chicken a breeze!
Tips for Buying and Using Store-Bought Marinades
Follow these tips to select and use pre-made chicken marinades:
- Shake well before using – Ingredients may settle so shake to reincorporate
- Refrigerate after opening – Marinades contain fresh ingredients like herbs, garlic, lemon juice that need to stay chilled
- Watch the sodium – Many prepared marinades are high in sodium; opt for lower sodium if restricting intake
- Find the right balance – Thick, syrupy marinades may need thinning; thin varieties need less marinating time
- Marinate in fridge – For food safety, always marinate chicken in the refrigerator
- Pat chicken dry – Dry surface helps marinade adhere better
- Use shallow, non-reactive dish – Glass or stainless steel work best; don’t marinate in metal
- Turn the chicken – Ensure all sides absorb marinade evenly
- Don’t save leftovers – Never reuse marinade that touched raw chicken due to bacteria
With the right marinade and proper technique, store-bought chicken marinades can infuse amazing flavor into chicken breasts, thighs, wings, and more. Experiment with different varieties to discover new favorite flavors.
Conclusion
Purchasing pre-made marinades is a convenient way to inject delicious flavor into chicken. Grocery stores offer a diverse selection of chicken marinades in ethnic, specialty, organic, and classic varieties. Benefits include saving time and effort, consistent flavors, and no worries about food safety. Follow basic tips for choosing and using prepared marinades properly. With so many options to explore, take advantage of store-bought marinades to easily prepare juicy, flavorful chicken any night of the week.