When do you marinate chicken?

You should marinate chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking, but ideally for 2-4 hours. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and create a more flavorful and tender dish.

Here's a breakdown of the ideal marinating times:

* 30 minutes - 1 hour: A good minimum for smaller pieces of chicken, like chicken breasts or tenders. It's enough time for the flavors to start permeating the meat.

* 2-4 hours: Ideal for larger pieces of chicken, like whole chicken or chicken thighs. This gives the marinade ample time to break down the tough proteins and make the meat more tender.

* Overnight: This is great for really deep flavor infusion and can be especially helpful for tougher cuts of chicken, but it is not recommended for chicken breasts as they can become mushy.

Important tips:

* Refrigerate the chicken while marinating: This helps keep the bacteria growth under control and ensures the chicken stays safe to eat.

* Don't overcrowd the container: Make sure the chicken is submerged in the marinade. If there's not enough marinade, the chicken won't marinate evenly.

* Pat the chicken dry before cooking: This helps to prevent the marinade from steaming off during cooking and ensures the chicken gets a nice crispy skin.

Exception to the rule: If you are using a dry marinade, such as a spice rub, you can apply it directly to the chicken before cooking. No need to marinate!