Marinades for Chicken Lunchbox

Marinades for Chicken Lunchbox

Kid-Friendly Lunchbox Marinades

This fortnight we've discussed how to upgrade the lunchbox, including chicken legs and chicken toasted sandwiches. Below is four easy marinades to upgrade boring old chicken. 

Fajita Flavours

Fajita flavouring is beloved with tacos, fajitas (obviously), quesadillas or carbless alongside sliced onion and capsicum. If your family does Taco Tuesday, you’ll love this marinade. Chicken strips or wings are ideal for these fajita flavours.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil 
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced 
  • 1 tablespoon of lime zest 
  • 2 tablespoons of lime juice 
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin, divided 
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
  • Salt and pepper

Method
Combine all the ingredients in a plastic bag or bowl and submerge the chicken pieces. Marinate for at least thirty minutes or, ideally, four hours. This can be baked, grilled or fried. 

Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki chicken is a classic flavour, one that kids generally love. It tastes of reliable umami with a hint of fresh spice.
Teriyaki works on any cut of chicken, but especially chicken breasts and chicken drumsticks.

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced 
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (if you’re using ginger powder instead of fresh, halve the measurement) 
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 
  • 2 tablespoons honey, or maple syrup 
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce 
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
Method 
Combine marinade ingredients in a plastic bag and submerge chicken pieces. Marinate for at least thirty minutes or, ideally, two hours.  
Baked teriyaki will become sticky and caramalised, making it totally delicious.

Lovely Greek Lemon 

The flavours of this Greek lemon marinade are similar to the fresh flavours of summer fish. Its simple ingredients are huge on flavour and so easy to put together. Greek chicken is best as chicken thighs or chicken breasts, a larger vessel that can support the array of herbs and lemon and cook nicely on the grill.  

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup olive oil 
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest 
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced  
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano (if you want to include other herbs such as basil, thyme or rosemary, reduce each herb to ½ teaspoon) 
  • Salt and pepper

Method

Combine marinade ingredients in a plastic bag or bowl and submerge chicken pieces. Marinate for a minimum of forty minutes and maximum five hours, with the ideal being two hours. Lemon begins to break down the proteins in chicken and can make it tough, if left for too long. 
The chicken is then best grilled to retain the fresh flavours of the marinade. 

American BBQ  

This marinade is a bit more complicated but makes up for it in a big flavour way! You can use this for chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, thighs or breasts — anything you want! 

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  •  2 large cloves cloves garlic, minced 
  •  Salt and pepper 
  •  3/4 cup tomato sauce or American ketchup 
  •  2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 
  •  2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 

 Method

Start by making a dry marinade, combining the brown sugar, garlic, and salt and pepper. If you want to make your marinade smooth, you can grind them all together in a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Put it in a bag and marinate overnight. When you’re ready to cook, sear the chicken until caramalised.
Then, combine the wet marinade and coat the chicken. Bake or grill until cooked and the marinade is sticky.