Freezer Italian Chicken Marinade

Whenever there’s a warm day, I’m thinking GRILL. Okay, I think  of other things besides cooking,  like picnics, bike rides, camping and swimming. Have you ever bought the marinated chicken in the grocery store? Guess what? You can make your own for a fraction of the cost if you buy your chicken on sale and choose your favorite homemade marinade.

I love a tender piece of chicken grilled to perfection, especially if the flavor is infused throughout. I like to marinate fresh chicken first, and freeze it. When I place it in my thawing box the night before I plan to grill, it has time to slowly thaw in the herbs and spices and gives it a terrific flavor. Plus, it’s so easy to have the chicken marinating while  it’s thawing.

I use this marinade often because it uses easy pantry staples. I mix all the ingredients in a glass measuring cup and divide into two-quart size bags. I slip 4 to 5 chicken breasts inside each labeled bag, gently squeezing excess air out and  freeze flat. You can see freezer prep photos at my chicken fajita marinade post.

Italian Chicken Marinade

Yield: Marinade for 8-10 breasts

6 Tablespoons canola oil

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning

2 tsp. garlic salt

1/2  ground black pepper

8-10 boneless , skinless chicken breasts ( I butterfly all the way through if they are extra-large)

Combine all the ingredients in a glass measuring bowl. Divide in half between two quart size freezer bags. Place 4-5 chicken breasts inside each bag. Freeze.

Thaw for 24 hours. Heat grill to medium high heat. Grill 6 to 8 minutes per side or until juices run clear. Don’t overcook, especially if you’re going to freeze. I cover my plate with aluminum foil to seal in the juices and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Thaw and grill several bags and make convenience chicken. Follow this post to see how I slice and dice cooled chicken for the freezer for future meals.

Serving Suggestions:

• Try grilled convenience chicken on homemade naan topped with a Greek salad or wrapped in a whole wheat pita with Greek dressing.
• Lay sliced chicken  on a salad bed with feta cheese, black olives, peperoncini.
• Serve with freezer twice baked potatoes.
• Dice it and make a homemade chicken braid with broccoli, mozzarella and grated lemon rind using freezer brioche dough.