Beer and Garlic Marinade for Chicken

This marinade has become a staple in our house over the past year. I first tried a beer marinade when I made the Smokey Chicken and Bacon Burgers last year. The burgers were a huge hit and we've made them a few different times now. We like to grill a lot of extra chicken each time we are grilling and then keep it in the fridge for easy lunches.

* Side note for NON-BEER drinkers: I do NOT like beer. I do not drink it myself and I do not 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. Trader Joe's sells individual bottles of beer for less than $1. You can thank my awesome little sister for that tip. I thank her often! If you don't have a Trader Joe's in your area, you could always try bumming a bottle from a beer drinking friend.

Beer and Garlic Marinade for Chicken Thighs

(1) 11 oz bottle dark Mexican beer
3 tablespoons sesame seed oil
5 large cloves of garlic, minced, approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspooon cayenne pepper
4-5 lbs chicken, I used 10 boneless skinless chicken thighs

Place the chicken in a gallon size Ziploc bag or an airtight container. Whisk together the marinade ingredients and pour over the chicken. Turning the bag or container to coat the pieces evenly. Let rest in the refrigerator for 12-36 hours. I try to marinate chicken for 24 hours most of the time, because the longer times make 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. I was marinating boneless skinless chicken thighs this time, so we cooked the meat on medium heat, 6 minutes on each side. Then increased the heat to closer to high and cooked it another 4 minutes. It was absolutely perfect; tender, juicy and loaded with great flavors. Enjoy!

Click here for printable recipe