Stash this quick and easy Honey Soy Chicken Marinade in the freezer for a sweet, savory, and umami-rich recipe the whole family will love.
I make this honey soy marinade for chicken recipe in minutes! I love the way the chicken soaks up the flavors. All I do is whip it out of the freezer, let it thaw overnight, and then bake or grill the chicken. It’s perfect with a simple side of fluffy white rice, quinoa or a baked sweet potato. It’s also incredible with some simple Asian style noodles. Add a side of your favorite green veggies, and you’re ready to go – I love it with braised bok choy, steamed broccoli or edamame beans.
This was another one of my favorite dairy free postpartum recipes after Ruby was born. If you want to get organized before a baby (or any busy period really), I highly suggest making a batch or two of this honey soy chicken marinade for meal prep. Also, be sure to check out my 5 Simple Freezer Friendly Chicken Marinades!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
I love that this Honey Soy Chicken Marinade is the ultimate in freezer friendly convenience. If you opened my freezer right now, you would find one of my freezer friendly chicken marinade recipes staring back at you!
It’s also a really versatile recipe because I can air fry it, bake it, pan sear it or pop it on the grill.
I love adding it to my Sunday batch cooking session! It’s also made with super simple ingredients that I typically have at home.
INGREDIENTS
Gather up these basics to make your Honey Soy Chicken Marinade:
- Chicken breasts or thighs: I find the thighs come out particularly juicy and delicious.
- Soy sauce: I prefer using a low-sodium soy sauce, but regular soy sauce will work too, if you prefer.
- Honey: To balance out the honey soy chicken marinade.
- Fresh garlic: For the best flavor, use fresh garlic over powdered garlic in this recipe.
- Fresh ginger: I love the POP from the ginger in this recipe.
- Sesame oil: Adds a delicious, rounded flavor.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Totally optional – the recipe is just as good without it.
HOW TO MAKE THIS HONEY SOY CHICKEN MARINADE
Make the honey soy chicken marinade
In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes, whisking until smooth.
Marinade the chicken
Add the chicken to a large freezer-safe zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag tightly, and gently massage to coat the chicken evenly.
Store the honey soy marinade for chicken
Lay the bag flat in the freezer, then label and date it for easy reference.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS
So, this Honey Soy Chicken Marinade is delicious as it is, but you can make a couple of versions of it:
Here are a few variations I love:
- Extra spicy: Sometimes I’ll add crushed red chili flakes or fresh chili – for an adult version, of course.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey. This is a slightly less sweet version.
- Blend in fresh cilantro.
- If I have extra marinade and want to turn it into a sauce, I’ll mix a little of it with 1 tsp of cornstarch and whisk that back in.
STORAGE AND MAKE AHEAD
Stash your Honey Soy Chicken Marinade in the freezer for up to 3 months—just be sure to use properly sealed, labeled freezer bags. I recommend laying the bags flat to save space and make stacking easier.
Need it sooner? You can also keep it in the fridge and use it within 3 days. I recommend cooking it within 24 hours.
When you’re ready to cook, thaw it using one of these easy methods:
- In the fridge: Place the frozen bag in a bowl or on a plate to catch any drips, and let it defrost in the fridge overnight.
- In cold water: Submerge the sealed bag in a bowl of cold water (never hot) and change the water every 30 minutes until thawed
When your honey soy marinade for chicken has thawed, don’t freeze the uncooked chicken again. Check out the USDA has guidelines for safe thawing methods here.
SERVING AND PAIRING
Enjoy with rice and your choice of vegetables, garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds.
It’s also really delicious with some Asian style noodles or baked sweet potatoes.
TIPS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Having made this freezer friendly chicken marinade multiple times, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Choose fresh over powdered: Garlic and ginger, that is. They add way more flavor and punch than powdered versions will.
- Make double the recipe: Save your future self some time.
- Flat pack your freezer friendly bags: This saves space and helps the Honey Soy Chicken Marinade thaw quicker.
- Don’t over-marinade: 24 hours max, preferably 12.
- If you want to save cooking time: Slice the chicken into smaller pieces before marinating.
- Use the marinade as a stir-fry sauce: Before adding chicken, that is. Scoop up a few spoonfuls and use them as a stir-fry sauce.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For the best flavor and texture, allow at least 30 minutes, but ideally 6 hours.
Yes! It’s great with pork, salmon, tofu and shrimp!
Yup! It works really well when baked or grilled.
To make it gluten-free, use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce.
OTHER SUMMER CHICKEN RECIPES TO TRY
Elote Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Creamy Blackened Chicken Enchiladas
Freezer-Friendly Honey Soy Chicken Marinade
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Place the chicken in a large freezer-safe zip-top bag.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and massage the marinade into the chicken.
- Lay the bag flat in the freezer. Label and date the bag.
