Step-by-Step to The Best Savory Chicken Dinner

This Savory Chicken recipe packs a punch! In fact, I think it may be the BEST chicken marinade you’ll find. Enjoy your marinated, cooked chicken a la carte, on top of a salad, on a sandwich, or in a wrap.

Photo byThriving Home

Ingredients Needed

Marinating chicken is THE key to infusing flavor into typically lean, bland poultry cuts. This simple marinade requires only a few pantry staples to turn that lackluster cut into something super tasty!

Photo byThriving Home

Let’s meet the key ingredients to making the best Savory Chicken Marinade on earth!

• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 – 2 pounds chicken breasts, tenders, or thighs

Ingredient Notes:

• Red wine vinegar – Acid must be in balance with oil in any good marinade. Red wine vinegar lends an interesting twist to this recipe, but almost any vinegar will work.
• Dijon mustard – There isn’t much in this recipe, but it’s enough to add a bit more acid and a small amount of mustardy flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce – This everything-but-the-kitchen-sink type sauce makes this marinade different than our others–more savory.

How to Make Savory Chicken

Only three steps are required for this tender, flavorful Savory Chicken recipe.

Prepare Marinade

Place the marinade ingredients straight into a gallon-size freezer bag and give it a good shake. This saves you an extra dish. You could also mix the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and pour it over the chicken. Options galore!

Marinate Chicken

Add the chicken to the Ziplock bag with the marinade. Close securely and gently massage it into the meat. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.

Photo byThriving Home

Cook the Chicken

Then, grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake your marinated Chicken. You choose your method! We’ve included instructions for how to cook boneless chicken breasts any of these ways below.

Ways to Cook Marinated Chicken

Chicken breasts are by far the most popular cut to marinate and cook, so we’re giving you several cooking options below. You can grill, bake, slow cook, or pressure cook your boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs).

Here are four easy ways to cook marinated Honey Mustard Chicken:

Bake in the Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place chicken in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken, until done.

Slow Cook in the Crockpot

Place chicken and marinade in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Really! That’s all it takes to get it done, otherwise, you’ll overcook and dry it out.

Here is a whole post about how long to cook chicken in the Crockpot if you’re interested!

Pressure Cook in the Instant Pot

Place chicken, marinade, and 1/3 cup chicken broth in a 6-quart Instant Pot. (Note: If using an 8 quart, add an additional 1/2 cup of broth.)

Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 7 minutes and use a quick release of the pressure when the cook time is up. (Note: It will take 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the cook time starts.)

Grill the Chicken

Pound out the chicken to about 3/4 inch thick (or cut it in half lengthwise) to help with fast and even cooking. This step is super important!

Photo byThriving Home

Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F) and clean the grates well. Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, closing the lid in between flipping. The cook time may take a little longer, depending on the thickness of the chicken.

How to Know When Chicken is Done

Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature. A digital meat thermometer is a must to help cook chicken perfectly!

Photo byThriving Home

Make It a Freezer Meal

While you’re already making this recipe for dinner, we suggest using your time wisely by prepping a few freezer meals of this chicken marinade at the same time. Your future self will thank you!

To Freeze:

Like most of our chicken freezer meals, simply combine the ingredients (the marinade & the chicken) and freeze for later. No need to let the chicken marinate before freezing.

To Prepare:

When you want to use it, let the chicken thaw one of these safe ways.

Then, grill, slow cook, pressure cook, or bake your marinated chicken. We’ve included instructions for how to cook boneless chicken breasts in the recipe below.

How to Serve Savory Chicken

I have three great ideas for how you can serve this marinated chicken recipe.

Serving Suggestion #1: With Comfort Food Sides

• Grill it up (or cook using whatever method you want below) and serve a la carte with Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes and Garlicky Green Beans. Boil the marinade and then strain it to use as a sauce over the chicken and potatoes. Yum!

Serving Suggestion #2: Cobb Salad

• Slice the cooked chicken and serve over Our Favorite Cobb Salad. Double the marinade. Use half to marinate chicken and and use the other half for salad dressing.

Serving Suggestion #3: Sandwich

• Cook and serve on a whole grain bun with your favorite cheese, lettuce, tomato, and condiments. Add bacon to take it over the top!

Another idea is to serve it over butter noodles. This would be such an easy dinner!