Do you love grilled chicken? If so, you’re probably always looking for ways to make it even better. One way to do that is by marinating the chicken in advance. But how long can chicken marinate in the fridge before it goes wrong? In this blog post, we will answer that question and give you tips on extending your marinated chicken’s life.
Read more: Can You Marinate Frozen Chicken? Yes! Try It Now
What is marination? The different types of marinades
Marination is the process of soaking food in a flavorful liquid before cooking. This can be done with meat, seafood, or vegetables. The most common liquids used for marination are olive oil, vinegar, wine, and citrus juices. The purpose of marination is to add flavor and moisture to the food. It can also help tenderize tougher cuts of meat.
A marinade is a savory sauce in which food is soaked to enrich its flavor. The different types of marinades can be broken down into four categories: acidic, enzymatic, saline, and oil-based.
- Acidic marinades are made with ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, or wine. They work to tenderize meat by breaking down its proteins.
- Enzymatic marinades contain ingredients like pineapple, papaya, or kiwi that contain enzymes that help to break down the meat’s fibers.
- Saline marinades use salt as their main flavoring agent. They work to draw out moisture from the meat, making it more tender and juicy.
- Finally, oil-based marinades are made with ingredients like olive oil or sesame oil. They help to seal the meat’s juices and keep it moist.
What is marinating chicken?
Marinating chicken is a dish that is made with chicken that has been soaked in a marinade. The marinade can be made with many different ingredients, including but not limited to soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. The chicken is often cooked in a skillet or grilled.
What are the benefits of marinating chicken?
- Some benefits of marinating chicken are that it can add flavor, juiciness, and tenderness to the meat.
- Marinating also helps to break down the muscle fibers in chicken, which makes it more easily digestible.
- Additionally, marinating can help to prevent the chicken from drying out during cooking.
Result is:
- The chicken will be more tender and juicy.
- The chicken will have a better flavor.
- The chicken will cook faster.
- The chicken will be less likely to dry out.
How long can chicken marinate in the fridge before it goes bad?
It is difficult to say exactly how long chicken can marinate in the fridge before it goes bad, as this will vary depending on the ingredients used and the fridge’s temperature.
However, a general rule of thumb is that chicken can last around two days in the fridge when marinated. If you are using a particularly strong marinade, or if your fridge is particularly cold, it is possible that chicken can last a little bit longer.
It is important to keep an eye on the chicken and to discard it if it starts to spoil. Ultimately, the best way to know if the chicken has gone bad is to smell it – if it smells off, then it is most likely spoiled and should not be eaten.
Can you keep chicken in its marinade for three days in the refrigerator?
Yes, you can keep chicken in its marinade for up to three days in the refrigerator. In fact, the longer you let it soak, the more flavorful and tender the chicken will be. However, make sure to discard any unused marinade after three days, as it may contain bacteria that could make you sick.
But one thing that you need to know is the acids in the marinade will start to break down the chicken meat after two days, resulting in a less-than-appetizing dish. If you must keep the chicken in the marinade for longer than two days, it is best to freeze it.
What happens if I marinate chicken too long?
It’s not a pretty picture. If you leave the chicken in the marinade for too long, it will start to break down and become mushy.
The flavor of the marinade will also become quite strong, to the point where the chicken might taste more like the marinade than like chicken.
In general, it’s best to marinate chicken for no more than six hours.
How do you store marinated chicken in the fridge?
When you are finished marinating your chicken, you will need to store it in the fridge. This is a process that will require some planning, as you will need to make sure that the chicken is properly sealed and stored in a way that will not contaminate other food items.
1. Make sure that the chicken is completely dry before you begin to marinate it. This will help keep the flavor of the marinade intact.
2. Use a container or bag that is specifically designed for storing food in the fridge. This will help keep the chicken from coming into contact with other items in the fridge, which could lead to contamination.
3. If you are using a container, make sure that it is airtight. This will prevent bacteria from growing inside the container.
4. If you are using a bag, make sure to squeeze out all of the air before sealing it shut. Again, this will help inhibit bacterial growth.
5. Place the chicken in a location where it will be able to cool down quickly. A fridge is a good place for this, as it is typically quite cold.
Tips for extending the life of your marinated chicken
1. Make sure to store your chicken in the fridge in an airtight container. This will help to prevent bacteria from growing and help the chicken stay fresh for longer.
2. When you’re ready to use the chicken, make sure to heat it until it is cooked all the way through. This will help to kill any bacteria that may be present on the chicken.
3. Don’t overcook the chicken – this can lead to dry, tough meat. Try cooking it for just a few minutes until it is cooked through, but still juicy and tender.
4. Leftover chicken can be stored in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for up to a month. Just make sure to reheat it thoroughly before eating.
5. If you have any leftover marinade, you can store it in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for up to a month. Just remember to thaw it before using it. You can use it as a sauce or marinade for other meats or vegetables.
By following these tips, you can extend the life of your marinated chicken and enjoy it for days to come!
Recipes that use marinated chicken
Many recipes use marinated chicken as an ingredient.
- One popular recipe that uses marinated chicken is chicken marsala. Marsala is a wine made in Sicily, and it gives the dish a unique flavor. The sauce for chicken marsala is made with butter, mushrooms, and onions. The chicken is cooked in the sauce until it is tender and then served over pasta or rice.
- Another great recipe that uses marinated chicken is cilantro lime chicken tacos. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of lime juice, olive oil, cumin, and chili powder.
It is then grilled or cooked in a skillet until it is cooked through. The tacos are filled with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced avocado, and shredded cheese. They are served with sour cream and salsa on the side.
FAQs
Should you poke holes in chicken to marinate it?
Many people ask whether they should poke holes in the chicken before marinating it. The answer to this question is both yes and no.
Poking holes in chicken can help the marinade penetrate the meat more effectively, but it is not always necessary.
- If you are using a wet marinade, then poking holes in the chicken are likely to be helpful.
- If you are using a dry rub, however, it is usually not necessary to poke holes in the meat.
- In most cases, the flavor of the rub will be able to penetrate the chicken without any help.
Do you pierce chicken before marinating?
The answer to this question is: it depends. Piercing the chicken can help the marinade penetrate the meat more effectively, but it’s not always necessary.
If you’re using a wet marinade, the liquid will likely be able to reach the interior of the chicken without piercing. However, if you’re using a dry rub or a marinade with large pieces of herb or spice, you may want to pierce the chicken so that the flavor can be distributed more evenly.
Do you wash chicken before marinating?
There are many differing opinions on whether or not you should wash chicken before marinating it. Some people believe that washing the chicken will help to get rid of any bacteria or dirt on the surface, while others think that doing so will increase the risk of contamination.
In general, it is recommended that you do not wash poultry before marinating it, as the moisture that is introduced can create an environment in which bacteria can thrive.
However, if you are particularly concerned about contaminants on the surface of your chicken, you can always rinse it briefly under cold water before proceeding with the marinade.
Conclusion
“How long can chicken marinate in the fridge” depends on how it’s packaged. If it’s pre-packaged, it will have a use-by date on the label. Chicken that’s been marinated should be stored in the fridge and used within two days.
Whether you choose to follow these guidelines or not is up to you, but we recommend erring on the side of caution and discarding any chicken that’s been left out for more than two hours – whether it has been marinated or not. Have you ever had bad chicken? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below!