Barbecued marinated chicken is one of our most popular preparations, a healthy, easy-to-eat recipe that can be enjoyed in any season. Choose quality meat from your local butcher - it's always the best!
To ensure perfect cooking, the marinating time plays a decisive role in the final result. However, even with a perfect marinade, cooking remains a crucial stage.
In this article, you'll discover invaluable techniques for preparing barbecued marinated chicken worthy of the greatest chefs. We'll explore the basics of a good marinade, share a variety of recipes and detail step-by-step the ideal cooking method to achieve a perfect result every time.
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Understanding the basics of a good marinade
Understanding the fundamentals of a good marinade is essential to the success of your barbecued chicken. A marinade isn't just a simple blend of flavors; it's a precise science that transforms the texture and taste of your poultry.
The 3 key elements: acid, fat, aromatics
Every effective marinade relies on three fundamental components that work together to enhance your meat:
The acidic element (vinegar, lemon juice, wine) tenderizes the meat by partially breaking down the muscle fibers. For your marinated barbecue chicken, this ingredient is crucial, as it allows the flavors to penetrate more deeply.
The fatty element (olive oil, sesame oil) retains moisture during cooking and prevents your chicken from drying out. It also helps carry the flavors of herbs and spices into the meat.
Herbs, spices and garlic add personality to your marinade. For a successful chicken barbecue marinade recipe, don't hesitate to mix different flavors like rosemary, thyme, paprika or cumin.
Minimum duration for a good result
Time is a determining factor in the effectiveness of a marinade. For skin-on chicken, allow at least 2 hours for marinating. However, the ideal time is between 4 and 12 hours , to allow the flavors to fully impregnate the meat without altering its texture.
Be careful, however: after 24 hours, certain acids can start to "cook" the chicken, making it too tender or stringy. In this case, your marinade for barbecued chicken thighs could produce disappointing results.
Why avoid some common mistakes
Firstly, never re-use a marinade that has been in contact with raw meat. This represents a major risk of bacterial contamination.
Next, avoid adding too much sugar to your marinade. Although delicious, sugar burns easily at high temperatures and can char the outside of your barbecued marine chicken before the inside is cooked.
Also, never pierce your meat before or during cooking. This common mistake allows essential juices to escape, resulting in a dry chicken despite all your preparation efforts.
Finally, don't forget to lightly wipe your chicken before placing it on the grill. Too much marinade can cause unwanted flare-ups and uneven cooking.
The best barbecue marinade recipes
Now discover four marinade recipes that will turn your barbecued chicken into a real feast. Each one has its own unique character and will allow you to vary the pleasures all year round.
Classic lemon-rosemary recipe
This timeless Mediterranean marinade combines the acidity of lemon with the fragrance of rosemary. To prepare this fragrant base, mix the juice of one lemon, 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, sprigs of fresh rosemary and a pinch of salt and pepper. For optimal results, marinate your chicken for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to soak in perfectly.
Chicken prepared in this way develops a fresh, herbaceous flavour that intensifies when barbecued. This recipe is particularly suitable for chicken breasts, but works equally well with all other cuts.
Asian recipe with honey and soy sauce
The sweet-savory combination works wonders in this Asian-inspired marinade. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1-2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil and a chopped garlic clove. Some versions add grated ginger and rice vinegar for added complexity.
This preparation requires at least 3 hours' marinating, but can be prepared the day before for an even more flavourful result. The balance between the sweetness of the honey and the saltiness of the soy sauce produces a caramelized chicken that is irresistible when cooked.
Spicy Mexican recipe
For a marinated barbecue chicken with a Latin accent, mix together 5g of red chili powder, 5g of paprika, 5g of cumin, the juice of a lime, 6cl of olive oil and a few sprigs of chopped coriander. The more adventurous can add a splash of tequila (5cl) for a touch of authenticity.
This colorful marinade transforms chicken into a vibrant, hearty dish. Allow at least 2 hours for marinating, although 4 to 12 hours gives superior results, allowing the spices to penetrate the meat.
Mild recipe with yogurt and spices
Greek yoghurt is your secret ally for incredibly tender chicken. In a salad bowl, mix 180g of Greek yogurt with chopped garlic, paprika (smoked if desired), cumin, salt and pepper. Thanks to its natural acidity, the yoghurt tenderizes the meat while transporting the flavors of the spices to the heart of the chicken.
This creamy marinade should remain in contact with the meat for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight in the refrigerator. The result: exceptionally tender chicken with perfectly balanced flavors.
To sum up:
How to barbecue marinated chicken
Once you've prepared your perfect marinade, the crucial step arrives: cooking your marinated chicken on the barbecue. This phase will determine whether your previous efforts will be crowned with success.
Prepare the barbecue (charcoal or gas)
First, light your barbecue at least 20 minutes before cooking. For a charcoal model, arrange the briquettes in a pyramid in the center and wait until they are covered with white ash before spreading them out. If you're using a gas barbecue, preheat it to a medium temperature (around 180°C). Carefully clean the grill with a wire brushthen lightly oil it to prevent the marinated barbecue chicken from sticking.
Direct or indirect cooking, depending on cut
Then adapt your cooking method to the pieces you have chosen:
Direct cooking (meat placed directly over the coals) is ideal for thin cuts such as fillets or aiguillettes. On the other hand, for thicker cuts such as thighs or drumsticks, prefer indirect cooking: place the charcoal on one side of the barbecue and the chicken on the other, or turn off a burner on a gas model. This allows your marinade for barbecued chicken thighs to caramelize without burning.
Use a thermometer to avoid mistakes
Finally, a meat thermometer is your best ally for perfect cooking:
The internal temperature of the chicken must reach at least 75°C to guarantee safe consumption. Always pierce the thickest part of the chicken without touching the bone. Absolutely avoid constantly piercing your barbecued marine chicken during cooking, as this will cause the precious meat juices to escape, resulting in dry meat despite your excellent marinade.
Accompaniments and beverages for a complete meal
Barbecued chicken deserves the right accompaniments to create a memorable meal. Here's how to complement your main course with flavourful accompaniments and well-chosen beverages.
Crisp, fresh salads
To counterbalance the rich flavours of your barbecued marinated chicken, opt for refreshing salads. Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, black olives and feta adds the perfect Mediterranean touch. For a more original option, try a watermelon salad with lime, tarragon, pistachios and feta, which will delight your guests with its freshness. Traditional coleslaw remains a classic, however, and goes perfectly with any grilled chicken preparation.
Barbecued vegetables
Take advantage of your already lit barbecue to prepare grilled vegetables with smoky, caramelized flavors. Zucchini, peppers, mushrooms and red onions release sweet notes on the grill that blend perfectly with your chicken barbecue marinade recipe. For a complementary vegetarian dish, don't hesitate to prepare vegetable skewers or even grilled halloumi, the Cypriot cheese that browns beautifully on the grill.
Roasted potatoes
No barbecue meal is complete without potatoes. For a simple preparation, wrap your potatoes in aluminum foil with a little olive oil and rosemary before placing them on the grill for 35-40 minutes. You can also opt for potatoes cut in half, seasoned and cooked directly on the grill for a texture that's crispy on the outside and melt-in-the-mouth on the inside.
Wines, beers and soft drinks
To accompany your barbecued seared chicken, you have several options. An expressive rosé or aromatic white such as an unoaked Chardonnay will sublimate the smoky flavors of the grilled meat. For reds, a fresh Pinot Noir or Gamay will go perfectly with your marinade for barbecued chicken legs. As for beers, opt for refreshing options that complement without overpowering the flavors of your main course.
Conclusion
Barbecued marinated chicken is undoubtedly one of the undisputed stars of barbecued meals. Having explored the secrets of a successful marinade, you now have all the keys to transforming a simple piece of poultry into an exceptional dish. Indeed, timing is crucial - at least 2 hours for the best flavors, up to 24 hours for the best taste experience.
Remember, too, the importance ofbalancing acid, fat and aromatics in your preparation. These three elements work together to tenderize the meat while giving it an incomparableflavour . What's more, the four recipes presented here allow you to vary the pleasures according to your taste, whether you prefer the Mediterranean notes of lemon-rosemary or the creaminess of a yoghurt marinade.
Cooking is certainly thefinal, decisive step. The use of a meat thermometer guarantees a perfectly safe and juicy result, while the choice between direct and indirect cooking adapts to different chicken cuts. Finally, don't forget that the complete experience also includes well-chosen accompaniments - fresh salads, grilled vegetables and tasty potatoes are the perfect complement to your chicken.
In short, the success of barbecued marinated chicken is not a matter of chance, but of precise technique. However, this method is accessible to all. So, at your next barbecue, whatever the season, your guests are sure to be impressed by the tenderness and flavor of your grilled chicken. Now it's up to you to put these tips into practice for perfect grilling all season long!
