by Amanda Thompson

Created on: May 05, 2009

In our home, we eat chicken at least once or twice a week. Having the same food that often requires a bit of creativity to keep it interesting. I like to marinate chicken in many different ways. The key to a good chicken marinade is using quality ingredients and allowing the chicken to marinate for enough time to allow the flavors to infuse and tenderize the meat.

ASIAN-INSPIRED CHICKEN BREAST MARINADE (Serves 2)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 green onions, chopped

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Directions:

Mix soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, ginger and green onions in a large resealable plastic bag or container and refrigerate for 4-6 hours.

Bake, broil or grill chicken breasts, basting occasionally with unused marinade (optional), until meat reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit and juices run clear.

When my sister makes this dish, she tops the chicken breasts with mushrooms that have been sauted in butter and garlic.

Serve with rice noodles or jasmine rice.

SMOKY SPICY CHICKEN BREAST RUB (Serves 2)

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions:

Combine all spices in a bowl and stir well to blend.

Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with the spice rub.

Put in a sealed container or large, resealable plastic bag, refrigerate and allow to marinate 2-4 hours.

Bake, broil or grill (grilling is best, in my opinion) until meat reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit and juices run clear.

Warning! These are spicy! Pair them with a nice salad with blue cheese dressing for a cooling aspect.

SPICY SWEET CHICKEN WINGS (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, divided

1 cup honey, divided

1/2 cup cayenne pepper hot sauce, divided

1/2 cup butter, melted and divided

2 pounds chicken wings or drumsticks

Directions:

Combine 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup hot sauce and 1/4 cup butter in large resealable container.

Add chicken to container and toss to coat.

Refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

Heat grill to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove wings or drumsticks from bag and discard unused marinade.

Combine remaining cayenne, honey, hot sauce and butter in

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