Vegan meat alternatives come pre-seasoned and are great additions to a range of recipes, and they even rip apart, slice, and shred just like chicken would!
Marinades add an extra tasty kick to any dish you prepare, be it air-frying, baking or stir-frying. Here are five easy vegan chicken marinade recipes that’ll have your dinner on the table in no time!
1. Garlic
Marinades are essential when cooking plant-based dishes that absorb flavor quickly. Not only can marinades tenderize, they can also add an abundance of seasonings for added depth of flavor.
Use low sodium store-bought sauces or dressings as the basis of your own marinades; just avoid reduced-fat/light options as these contain additional sugar and salt to compensate for their lack of calories.
Make vegan garlic chicken marinade by whisking together avocado oil (we like Primal Kitchen’s Cold Pressed variety), lemon juice, coconut aminos (or soy sauce), one large clove of garlic and salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Drizzle over your plant-based protein of choice and allow it to marinate at least 30 minutes before eating!
Garlic chicken can be prepared a variety of ways: grilling, pan frying or air frying are all great methods, while it also works wonderfully as a filling for tacos, salads or sandwiches. We especially love rolling it up into tortillas with cheese, cabbage and cilantro or stuffing it inside corn tacos for maximum enjoyment!
2. Lemon
If you’re searching for a straightforward yet flavorful lemon chicken marinade recipe, look no further! It is incredibly straightforward and contains ingredients you likely already have on hand in your pantry.
Need ingredients? A few lemons should produce enough juice, while some garlic and fresh herbs will enhance its flavour. Feel free to add chopped onion for additional depth if desired!
An oil with a high smoke point should be chosen for cooking purposes; such an oil is designed to take heat without emitting smoke that could be detrimental.
The great thing about this marinade is that it works equally well on chicken thighs and drumsticks as on chicken breasts, fish or vegetables such as zucchini. Just be sure to marinate for at least 1-2 hours prior to cooking or your food may become soggy!
3. Ginger
Ground ginger adds both heat and sweetness, making this vegan ginger chicken marinade deliciously healthy! A great substitute to honey when looking to cut back or eliminate sugar altogether, adding ground ginger helps prevent curdling while cooking as well.
Start this lemongrass ginger chicken by marinating one pound of boneless skinless chicken thighs in lemongrass ginger marinade using your hands until fully coated, then let sit on the counter or in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or so before enjoying your dish!
While your chicken rests, set up your frying station and heat the oil to 350 degrees. Once done, pour any remaining marinade into a skillet, whisking away at it with a whisk to disintegrate any browned bits from the chicken into a thick glaze that you can serve over rice, quinoa noodles or fresh veggies.
4. Garlic Chili Sauce
Huy Fong sauce, commonly referred to as an Asian-American condiment, makes an ideal compliment for many dishes. With spicy, sweet, and zesty notes it adds depth and variety. The basic recipe calls for garlic, shallots, neutral oil, vinegar and sugar with cardamom or Chinese five spice optionally added for additional heat level variation if desired.
Distilled white vinegar serves two essential functions in any sauce: providing brightness and acting as a natural preservative. You may opt for rice vinegar or another variety of white wine vinegar if preferred.
This marinade requires more complex ingredients than previous recipes but still is straightforward to put together. Once made, this vegan-friendly version can be used to make chicken satay or serve as a dipping sauce with noodles and rice dishes; add extra flavor by mixing into baked or steamed tofu as well.