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It’s grilling season and my family is excited for it. We like to switch up our meals with the changing seasons. During the colder months, we tend to have soups and casseroles. However, as the weather warms up, we look forward to grilling meat and fish on the barbecue. In this article, I will be sharing our top 5 chicken thigh marinades and what we like to serve with them.
Why we love chicken thighs
I did not always love chicken thighs. In fact, I was a chicken breast kind of gal. Let’s face it, I grew up in the 90’s when fat was bad and if you wanted to look lean, you had to eat lean. And the winner for this was the chicken breast.
When I married my husband, he introduced me to chicken thighs. And wow, did this change my world? I now definitely prefer thighs over breasts in most dishes. Here are a few reasons why:
- Juicier
- More flavorful
- Cheaper
Should you choose bone-in or boneless? It’s more of a preference, but also depends what you are doing with the chicken. If you are doing a fried recipe, you will want bone-in chicken. I tend to prefer boneless for ease of eating. However, with bone-in, you can make a delicious and healthy bone broth with the leftovers.
Best chicken thigh marinades
Marinating chicken not only adds flavor but also tenderness to your meat. It is also extremely easy and time-effective.
Pro tip: chicken thigh marinades can be made in the morning before you leave for work or start your day. I find this to be the perfect amount of time to marinade for ultimate flavor. Here is a clever gadget to own if you make a lot of marinades or salad dressing.
1. Dijon balsamic marinade
- 1 pack of chicken thighs (usually about 1.5 – 2 lbs)
- 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup of Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of dry thyme
This is probably the easiest of the five chicken thigh marinades included in this entire article. However, it might just be my favorite. It has so much flavor!
Our favorite way to serve this is with roasted potatoes or potato wedges. I also like to make a fresh salad with balsamic dressing and steamed green beans. It’s the perfect spring and summer meal.
2. Thai chicken marinade
- 1 pack of chicken thighs (usually about 1.5 – 2 lbs)
- 1/4 cup of fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp of coconut amino
- 3 Tbsp of avocado oil
- 3 Tbsp of coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 3 Tbsp of fresh lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 Tbsp of ginger paste or chopped fresh ginger
This marinade is perfect for an Asian-inspired dinner. We love to serve this chicken with steamed rice and broccoli. Top with fresh parsley before serving for a little something extra.
3. Caribbean jerk chicken
I got this recipe from the blog Creme de la crumb. They recommend pairing this chicken with a pineapple salsa which we have done and it’s delicious. I highly recommend it.
- 1 pack of chicken thighs (usually about 1.5 – 2 lbs)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tsp of minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp of coconut amino (I use this instead of soy sauce because I have an allergy to soy)
- 1 tsp of onion powder
- 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
- 3 tsp of allspice
- 1 Tbsp of maple syrup
We started making this recipe in 2023 and it quickly became a recurring meal during the spring and summer months. I love serving this dish with steamed rice and a broccoli slaw salad. Our family loves this meal.
For easy cooking and cleaning, I strongly recommend getting grill mats. They are super convenient and help keep your grill much cleaner.
4. Hawaiian grilled chicken (the crown pleaser)
This is our go-to recipe when we are hosting large groups of people. We always get so many compliments anytime we serve this meal. Plus, the recipe makes a huge batch. Make sure to cut it if you are only making it for your family.
- 3 lbs of chicken thighs
- 1/2 tsp garlic
- 1/2 bunch of green onions
- 1 can coconut. milk
- 1 cup of coconut amino (or soy sauce)
- 1 cup of coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp of sesame oil
- 1 cup of water
I promise that this recipe will surprise you. It has become our July 4th traditional party recipe. It pairs well with cole slaw, macaroni salad, or this Thai coconut rice salad.
5. Lemon and herbs chicken
For the ultimate summer taste, try this lemon and fresh herbs chicken thigh marinade. It’s the perfect way to use all those herbs you are growing in your garden.
- 1 pack of chicken thighs (usually about 1.5 – 2 lbs)
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp of each fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, basil, thyme)
- 3 Tbsp of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Make sure to get yourself a lime and lemon squeezer in preparation for salad and grilling season. They are a game-changer. Here is the one I have.
This chicken recipe can be served with almost anything. Its flavor is quite versatile. We like to serve it with angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil and fresh herbs. We also add a side of steamed or grilled vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.
In conclusion
Wow your family and friends this spring and summer with these delicious chicken thigh marinades. Dinner will never be boring.
Bon apetit!
Cat xx