Marinade gives meat flavor and aroma. In this article, we will tell you how long to marinate chicken.
How long to marinate chicken
Red meat, beef, and pork are marinated longer than chicken, ADVICE.NEWS reports.
If we talk about the latter, the marinating time is from 2 to 6 hours. However, even half an hour of marinade can give a meat dish a new taste.
The specific marinating time depends on the part of the carcass. Dryer and leaner parts marinate faster. Drumsticks and thighs require more time for marinating due to the large amount of fat.
The length of the marinade affects the intensity of flavor and aroma.
If you use a vinegar or lemon juice marinade, marinate the bird for no more than 1 hour. The acid can soften and change the texture of the meat too much.
What happens if you leave chicken in the marinade for too long
The maximum marinade time for chicken is 24 hours.
If marinated for too long, the meat fibers break down and the chicken turns into mush.
Marinating an acidic chicken for more than 1 hour can make the chicken tougher.
Is it safe to reuse marinade?
Marinade left over from raw meat is not safe to reuse due to the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria.
Although E. coli or salmonella that may be in the marinade can be killed by boiling for 5 minutes, you should not use the marinade a second time after using chicken.
