This simple Beer and Garlic Chicken Marinade has become a staple in our house over the past few years.
Juicy, incredibly flavorful grilled chicken is easier than you might think; especially when it starts with a marinade loaded with flavor from beer, garlic, and a sprinkling of herbs.
Beer marinated chicken turns out absolutely perfect; tender and juicy every time.
Beer Marinated Chicken
I used beer in a marinade for the first time when I made the Smoky Chicken and Bacon Burgers almost five years ago. (And yes, those burgers are every single bit as amazing as they sound!)
We loved the beer marinated chicken so much, I immediately started playing with a larger batch marinade recipe for grilled chicken.
I’m not a fan of beer myself and I don’t much like the taste or smell of it at all. I do, however, LOVE this marinade.
If you do not typically have beer in your house (and don’t want to buy a six-pack just to try a new recipe), I have a tip for you. If you’re lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe’s, they sell individual bottles of beer for less than $1. (You can thank my awesome little sister for that tip.)
Ways To Use Grilled Chicken
We like to make a good bit of extra chicken each time we are grilling chicken and then keep it in the fridge for easy lunches, like the Southwest Chicken Salad pictured below.
I usually double this marinade recipe and will grill a huge batch of chicken all at once. We’ll quite happily eat it all week by itself, over salads, and in sandwiches and wraps.
There’s nothing better than having pre-cooked chicken in the fridge ready to use through the week. Try grilled chicken in one of these recipes for a terrifically tasty and EASY weeknight meal.
- Baked Potato, Chicken, and Broccoli Casserole
- BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potatoes
- 30 Minute Enchiladas
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Eggrolls
- BBQ Chicken Nachos
- 10 Minute Southwest Chicken Soup
- Cheesy Chicken Dip
Chicken Marinade Recipes
It’s amazing what a great marinade can do for a simple piece of chicken and this beer marinated chicken is evidence of that. However, I’m of the opinion that you can’t have too many awesome ways to marinate chicken.
This Very Green Grilled Chicken by Kalyn’s Kitchen and Honey Buttermilk Roast Chicken by The View From Great Island both sound delicious.
Chipotle Chicken Marinade and Mojo Marinade are a couple more go-to chicken marinade recipes that I reach for frequently.
Loaded with some of our favorite flavors, these chicken marinades make all the difference between just another chicken dinner and a meal that the whole family will love.
Beer Chicken Marinade Recipe
- Place the chicken in a gallon-size zip-close bag or an airtight container. Stir together the marinade ingredients and pour over the chicken. Seal and turn the bag or container to coat the pieces evenly.
- Let rest in the refrigerator for 12-36 hours. I try to marinate chicken for a minimum of 24 hours most of the time because the longer time makes a huge difference in the flavor.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Combine the marinade and chicken in a gallon-size zip-close bag and freeze them together. When you are ready to cook the chicken, thaw in the refrigerator, allowing the marinade to work its flavors throughout the meat. Once thawed, cook as directed.
Beer and Garlic Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- 11 ounces dark Mexican beer
- 3 tablespoons sesame seed oil
- 5 large cloves of garlic minced, approximately 1 ½ tablespoons
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3-4 pounds chicken I typically use 9-10 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a gallon size zip-close bag or an airtight container. Stir together the marinade ingredients and pour over the chicken.
- Seal and turn the bag or container to coat the pieces evenly. Let rest in the refrigerator for 12-36 hours. I try to marinate chicken for a minimum of 24 hours most of the time, because the longer time makes a huge different in the flavor.
- When ready to cook the meat, let the chicken rest on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour prior to cooking.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat. For boneless skinless chicken thighs, cook the meat 6 minutes on each side. Then increase the heat closer to medium-high and cook an additional 4 minutes, as needed. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 1/9/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 8/24/21}
E @ Act Fast Chef says
This looks awesome Mary. I love that you used boneless thighs in the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Jenn says
Sounds wonderful, Mary! I love using alcohol in my marinades – even those I'm not too fond of drinking 🙂
Three-Cookies says
I think beer marinate might be a step towards liking beer. Next time you marinate, drink a tablespoon, increasing dosage each time and a time will come when you will have difficulty saving beer for the marinate:)
Carrie says
Mary this chicken sounds so good! I love cooking with beer 🙂
The Blonde Duck says
Marinade makes all the difference!
Allison at Novice Life says
Ohhh this sounds great! I will give it a try. The corner store near our house always has 'loose' single beer cans for sale in their beer cooler!
The Slow Roasted Italian says
This chicken was amazing last night! Thanks for making the chicken breast version for us. I think we will be making this one soon. My man loved it!!!
Anonymous says
I don't see the chicken BREAST version. Am I missing it? I would love to try this.
Mary says
When Donna and her husband were at our house, I marinated blsl chicken breasts for them instead of the thighs. It's the same marinade and method for the breasts as for the thighs listed above. Just watch your cooking times, they might cook a minute or two quicker. I hope that helps!
Big Dude says
Nice looking plate of chicken. I keep trying to make a beer based marinade, but it never seems to make it into the plastic bag.
My Journey With Candida says
Now that sounds and looks really good.
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
The chicken looks yummy! Juicy, seared to perfection – a great looking meal. We won't have to borrow any beer but have often wanted to try marinades with the rich dark beers. Thanks – welcome back – we missed you so!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
This looks insanely good!! –
Mary x
Pam says
The marinade sounds great!
Mary says
You men are totally cracking me up today. A tablespoon a day? LOL! My marinades always make it into the bags, funny enough. I've never been tempted to drink the beers.
Marjie says
My grandmother always threw a "Miller Short" into her beef stew. She swore that it would tenderize an old shoe into great beef. I hate beer; always have, and, yet, even when I was little, my grandmother's stew was the best around. I don't have a trader joe's around, and alcohol sales in this state are major-league screwy, so I'd have to either buy a case at an "authorized distributor", or go to a restaurant, and order some food to buy a 6-pack. It's just nuts.
sportsglutton says
I haven't used beer as a marinate for quite some time. Shame on me! It is always so good and I'm digging spice combos in this recipe.
Words Of Deliciousness says
This marinade sounds wonderful. The chicken looks sooo yummy!!
Taryn (Have Kitchen, Will Feed) says
This chicken looks fantastic! Dinner on Sunday, I think.
Bo says
I'm so going to try this…I think I can spare a beer for the marinade.
Becki's Whole Life says
Yeah for Trader Joe's!
Ok, this sounds really good. I am trying this next weekend! Always looking for flavorful marinades for chicken.
nancy at good food matters says
I'm not a beer lover either, but this marinade sounds terrific. I recently had a steak dish at a restaurant where the chef made a reduction syrup from dark beer and shiitake mushrooms. It was truly amazing.