marinate the chicken

Meaning

This phrase refers to the process of soaking chicken in a seasoned, often acidic liquid (a marinade) before cooking it. This process infuses the meat with flavor and helps tenderize it. It is a standard culinary instruction used in everyday cooking, recipes, and food discussions.

Examples

• You need to marinate the chicken for at least two hours before putting it on the grill.

  You need to marinate the chicken for at least two hours before putting it on the grill.

• I like to marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices overnight for maximum tenderness.

  I like to marinate the chicken in yogurt and spices overnight for maximum tenderness.

• If you marinate the chicken too long in lemon juice, the texture can become mushy.

  If you marinate the chicken too long in lemon juice, the texture can become mushy.

• She decided to marinate the chicken in a simple teriyaki sauce for dinner.

  She decided to marinate the chicken in a simple teriyaki sauce for dinner.

• Don't forget to marinate the chicken if you want it to stay juicy while baking.

  Don't forget to marinate the chicken if you want it to stay juicy while baking.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to marinade the chicken.

  ✓ I need to marinate the chicken.

  'Marinade' (with a 'd') is the noun referring to the liquid itself, while 'marinate' (with a 't') is the verb representing the action of soaking.

• ✗ Marinate the chicken with two hours.

  ✓ Marinate the chicken for two hours.

  Use the preposition 'for' to indicate the duration of time the chicken sits in the liquid.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To make the meat tender, you should ___ in garlic and olive oil overnight.

  💡 Soak the poultry in a seasoned liquid.

  Show answer

  marinate the chicken

• If you plan to grill tonight, you must ___ right now so it absorbs the flavor.

  💡 Put the poultry in the marinade ahead of time.

  Show answer

  marinate the chicken