Marinated Grilled Chicken 3 Ways: BBQ, Garlic And Herb, And Curry Marinades

Sure, there's plenty of pre-marinated meat to choose from at the grocery store but to be honest, those marinades ain't where it's at. We can guarantee you that these homemade marinades don't even compare to the store-bought stuff. In fact, they exist in a whole different flavor universe – that's how awesome they are. Check out how much better your grilled meat can taste with these 3 amazing chicken marinades!

BBQ Chicken Marinade:

• 1 gallon-sized freezer bag
• salt & pepper to taste
• 3 dried red chili peppers (chile de árbol)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp BBQ sauce
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 4 tbsp dark beer
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil (optional)
• 3 chicken leg quarters

Garlic & Herb Marinade:

• 1 gallon-sized freezer bag
• 3 oz fresh parsley 
• 1 oz fresh oregano
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 1 garlic clove
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar (optional)
• 3 chicken leg quarters

Curry Marinade:

• 1 gallon-sized freezer bag
• ⅔ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp vegetable 
• 1-2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp parsley or cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• salt & pepper to taste
• 3 chicken leg quarters

Here's How:

1. For the BBQ marinade, grind the pepper, salt, dried chili peppers, and garlic cloves with a mortar and pestle. Then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. If the marinade seems a little too thick, you can add a bit of vegetable oil to thin it out. Then transfer the marinade to a freezer bag.

2. For the garlic and herb marinade, put all the ingredients in a tall container and puree until smooth (you can also add white wine vinegar to taste). Transfer the marinade to a freezer bag. 

3. For the curry marinade, add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix until combined. Then transfer the marinade to a freezer bag.

4. Skin the chicken leg quarters and remove the bones. Add the meat to each freezer bag, seal the bags, and knead them carefully until the chicken meat is completely covered in marinade. Refrigerate the marinated meat in the freezer bags for at least 3-4 hours, or preferably overnight.

5. Grill the marinated chicken on both sides.

6. Serve the BBQ marinated-chicken as a delicious, smoky sandwich!

7. Serve the garlic and herb-marinated chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce!

8. Serve the curry-marinated chicken in a wrap!

Homemade marinades? Nothing easier than that. Whether it's BBQ, garlic and herb, or curry, the flavor profiles of these marinated chicken dishes are incredible. Now you can show everyone the amazing benefit of making your own marinades!