Marinating chicken can add plenty of flavour, but it is not always practical.
Sometimes you decide what you are having for dinner 20 minutes before you want to eat it.
Sometimes you simply cannot be bothered finding a bowl, mixing a marinade and leaving chicken sitting in the fridge.
Fortunately, you do not need a marinade to make chicken taste good.
There are plenty of quicker ways to add flavour.
Use a good dry seasoning
The easiest alternative to a marinade is a dry seasoning blend.
Spices and herbs can be applied directly to the outside of the chicken immediately before cooking.
Paprika, garlic, onion, herbs, black pepper and chilli are all commonly used.
You can create your own blend or use a ready-made seasoning.
The advantage is speed.
There is no need to leave the chicken soaking for several hours.
Try peri-peri seasoning
Peri-peri seasoning is particularly good if you are trying to make plain chicken breast more exciting.
The combination of chilli, garlic, paprika and herbs creates plenty of flavour without requiring a wet marinade.
Cook the chicken and serve it with rice, wedges or salad for a simple dinner.
Use jerk seasoning
Jerk-style seasoning is another easy way to give chicken much more flavour.
The combination of warming spices, herbs and chilli works particularly well on chicken thighs.
You can season the chicken immediately before cooking rather than preparing a marinade several hours in advance.
Choose lemon and herb
Not every chicken dish needs to be spicy.
Lemon and herb seasoning adds freshness and flavour while remaining incredibly versatile.
It works well with chicken breast and can be served with vegetables, potatoes, pasta or salad.
Use seasoning transfer sheets
Another way to season chicken without marinade is to use a Flavour Sheet.
Instead of pouring a marinade over your chicken or rubbing spices onto it, the seasoning is already held on a cooking sheet.
Place your chicken onto the sheet, wrap it and cook.
As the chicken cooks, the seasoning transfers onto its surface.
There is no spice measuring, no bowl of marinade and much less preparation.
For busy weeknights, this can be one of the easiest ways to make chicken taste better.
Add flavour after cooking
You can also add certain flavours after the chicken has been cooked.
Fresh herbs, lemon juice, sauces and dressings can all improve a simple chicken dish.
However, it is usually better to season the chicken during cooking as well.
That way the flavour becomes part of the finished dish instead of simply sitting on top.
Do you actually need to marinate chicken?
No.
Marinating chicken is one method of adding flavour, but it is definitely not essential.
Chicken can taste fantastic when cooked with dry seasoning, herbs, spices, sauces or seasoning sheets.
A marinade can be useful for certain recipes, particularly when you want a very specific flavour or texture, but everyday chicken does not need hours of preparation.
How long does chicken need to marinate?
Marinating times vary enormously depending on the ingredients used and the recipe.
Some recipes call for 30 minutes, while others suggest several hours.
That can make marinades inconvenient if you are cooking at short notice.
Using a dry seasoning or Flavour Sheet allows you to season and cook the chicken straight away.
How do you stop chicken tasting bland?
The first step is using enough seasoning.
Chicken breast in particular has a mild flavour, so lightly sprinkling a tiny amount of seasoning over one side often is not enough.
You also need to avoid overcooking the chicken.
Even beautifully seasoned chicken becomes less enjoyable when it is dry.
Use a cooking method that gives you good control over the temperature and always make sure the chicken is fully cooked before serving.
What can I put on chicken instead of marinade?
There are plenty of options.
Dry spice rubs, herb blends, peri-peri seasoning, jerk seasoning, lemon and herb seasoning, BBQ seasoning and Flavour Sheets can all be used instead of a traditional marinade.
You can also add sauces after cooking if you want even more flavour.
Making chicken easier
Chicken is popular because it is versatile, but that does not mean you need to turn every dinner into a recipe project.
Sometimes the best meals are the simplest.
Choose a good flavour, season the chicken properly, cook it well and serve it with something easy.
And if you want to skip the bowls, oils and spice jars altogether, Flavour Sheets give you a straightforward alternative.
Wrap. Cook. Enjoy.